Human trafficking, specifically sex trafficking is a worldwide issue that has gained attention over the past decade. When sex trafficking is brought up through discussions or in media, it is usually seen as an international problem where women and children are being smuggled into the United States for exploitation. It is true that such cases happen but, there are victims, who are Americans, that are being trafficked daily. The government, in an effort to combat the issue of human trafficking, put forth the Trafficking Victims Protection Acts (TVPA). This act has set definitions for human trafficking that ultimately helps decide if a person is a victim and/or deserves protection. According to Lauren Mccarthy, one of the biggest challenges in
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It is true that both sex workers and trafficking victims provide sexual services but, are they the same thing? Sex workers are not victims and do enjoy the services they provide. Most sex workers operate from a brothel, where mandatory testing and care is provided for them, unlike sex trafficking victims. Sex workers are also blamed by abolitionists for the increase in sex trafficking in the country; abolitionists continue to fight for anti-prostitution laws that criminalize sex work in the country. Is sex work really the problem? It is very essential, that the difference between sex work and sex trafficking is established so that we can move past criminalization of sex work and focus on things that can prevent trafficking from occurring within the country. With the use of my primary research I hope to distinguish sex work from sex trafficking, so that the attention on sex work can be directed to other factors. Other factors include, foster care system, poverty and health care system that contribute to the issues of sex trafficking. These factors are given less attention to but, if focused on can reduce the amount of sex trafficking that occurs in the United States. Instead of waiting for the government or other institutions to focus on the factors mentioned above, I will provide suggestions that a person, as a member of a community, can do to reduce sex
It is true that both sex workers and trafficking victims provide sexual services but, are they the same thing? Sex workers are not victims and do enjoy the services they provide. Most sex workers operate from a brothel, where mandatory testing and care is provided for them, unlike sex trafficking victims. Sex workers are also blamed by abolitionists for the increase in sex trafficking in the country; abolitionists continue to fight for anti-prostitution laws that criminalize sex work in the country. Is sex work really the problem? It is very essential, that the difference between sex work and sex trafficking is established so that we can move past criminalization of sex work and focus on things that can prevent trafficking from occurring within the country. With the use of my primary research I hope to distinguish sex work from sex trafficking, so that the attention on sex work can be directed to other factors. Other factors include, foster care system, poverty and health care system that contribute to the issues of sex trafficking. These factors are given less attention to but, if focused on can reduce the amount of sex trafficking that occurs in the United States. Instead of waiting for the government or other institutions to focus on the factors mentioned above, I will provide suggestions that a person, as a member of a community, can do to reduce sex