Sex Trafficking in the United States

And Half the Sky Updates

Our Situation

• Federal law defines ‘sex trafficking’ as “a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age.”

• An unknown number of U.S. citizens and legal residents are trafficked within the country for sexual servitude and forced labor.

• Cases of human trafficking have been reported in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. territories. Victims of human trafficking can be children or adults, U.S. citizens or foreign nationals, male or female.

Our Situation

• Human trafficking is the second fastest growing criminal industry — just behind drug trafficking. Approximately half of all victims are children.

• It’s a $32 billion industry, with about 50% of this revenue coming from industrialized countries. This surpasses the sale of illegal arms.

• In 2008, New York was the first state to establish a Safe Harbor Law to decriminalize underage victims of sexual exploitation. Since then, 9 states have followed suit, but in the remaining states, children who are bought and sold for sex are still sent to jail.

How Did This Happen?

• Americans make up 72 percent of human-trafficking victims

• Teenagers — mostly girls — are recruited by classmates, pimps and boyfriends who may be gang members with promises of love, glamour and money. Once in the grip of a gang, the victims are often branded, beaten and humiliated to maintain control over them

• The average age of entry into street prostitution is between 12 and 14 years old, though there have been cases of girls as young as 9 years old.

How Did This Happen?

• Traffickers seek vulnerable girls and boys by trolling the Internet, especially Facebook, looking for kids who appear bored, sad, lonely or neglected.

• They cruise malls during school hours to chat up youngsters who did not go to class and lurk around homes for foster children, centers for at-risk children and classrooms with special-needs.

• Massage parlors; Sexual services publicized on the Internet or in newspapers; Businesses like hotels, nail salons or home-cleaning services; Domestic labor (cleaning, childcare, eldercare, etc. within a home);

Alternatives Considered

• Parents and educators knowing the signs• Enacting stronger laws

• Criminalization of domestic minor sex trafficking• Criminal provisions addressing demand• Criminal provisions for traffickers• Criminal provisions for facilitators• Protective provisions for child victims• Criminal justice tools for investigation and prosecution

• Legalization

Our Vision for the Future

• Better laws• Increased reporting• Increased prosecutions• Increased coverage• No more child sex trafficking, or any kind of sex

trafficking

HALF THE SKY UPDATESAnd It’s Good News!

Fulamatu – Sierra LeoneFulamatu has received a scholarship from a Half the Sky Movement supporter to complete her education at a boarding school in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Fulamatu is studying hard and working toward her dream of becoming an accountant. She has recently expressed a desire to become a mentor for other young survivors of sexual violence.

Somana - CambodiaSomana remains an active Voices for Change member at the Somaly Mam Foundation in Cambodia. She continues to mentor young girls and educate local community members on the dangers of sex trafficking.

Girls’ Education in VietnamDuyen is in 11th grade and making her parents proud. Phung is also still in school. Her father got a grant for a small business and they each have more time to focus on their respective goals. Nhi has moved to a boarding school in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A generous supporter of the Half the Sky Movement is covering the cost of her education.

Edna Adan - SomalilandEdna Adan just celebrated graduation day at her hospital. Twenty one midwives were awarded Bachelor of Science degrees. She is still aiming to train a total of 1,000 midwives in Somaliland.

Intergenerational Prostitution - IndiaBoth the girls from New Light are continuing to live at Soma Home in Calcutta, India, and studying in school. Monisha returned back to Soma Home after a short stay in her village. Sushmita is working with special tutors to begin her training to become a lawyer.

Summary

• Key Points to remember that will give audience confidence or improve morale• Falls into Amnesty International’s purview• Getting people out makes a world of difference• Organizations trying to do something• We can do something!