The participants for this sample will consist of all genders who have a strong idea in prostitution, and sex trafficking. The participants will all consent to a contract to show that they are over the age of 18 given the explicit context of the sincerity of the research, and adhere to the regulations, and policies that will follow. Next, a focused group will be used with all genders to see how each gender is conflicted with the topic at hand. However, to get a better understanding of all participants especially children within this study I will ask parents if they have ever seen children be bought, and sold in sex work. Also, police officers, and halfway houses advocates will be included in this study as well, so that certain people in the focused group that feels adequate about the topic can go on a ride along with law enforcement, and into the halfway houses. Furthermore, social services personnel will be questioned to see if they have had any experience with reformed sex workers, or knew someone who has. Moreover, the participants for the surveys will consist of all genders that will be asked about questions relating to the research topic, and their keen awareness of it in their communities.
Instrument
Over the course of preparing the proposal for the research topic of prostitution, and sex trafficking selective instruments will be used. For instance, in the focused group they will have to adhere to the group, and submit to all regulations, and questions
In the article, Characteristics of survivors of juvenile sex trafficking: Implications for treatment and intervention initiatives, the authors conducted the survey to understand what factors could have possibly contributed to the decision made by teenagers to consider the act of sex trafficking. The belief amongst the authors was that those who have survived juvenile sex trafficking have had experienced some abuse/neglect or even trauma (Hargreaves-Cormany & Patterson, 2016, p. 32). Not only are the researchers wondering about the abuse/neglect, but do the young women have a secure attachment with their family and peers or more of an insecure attachment. By having a secure attachment means that the child has a close relationship with those around them and s/he feels as though their basic needs are being met; physically and emotionally. The teenagers with an insecure attachment are not surrounded with love, respect and nurturing; all the things that one needs to grow in a positive way. The group of individuals that would be interested in this type of research would be that of counselors in trying to figure out what would entice young ladies to want to be sex traffickers and how would one implement interventions and counseling methods. In having teenagers experience situations such as neglect, lack of support, homelessness or even stress, one could be at risk in pursing the act of juvenile sex-trafficking.
The problem with sex trafficking is that it is not only illegal, but the lasting effects it has on the victim are detrimental. Sex trafficking has been shown to increase the chance of sexually transmitted infections, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, unsafe abortions, malnutrition, and sexual violence (Konstantopoulos et al., 2013). There is an estimated 4.5 million people that become victims of sex trafficking; 98% of those are women and young girls (Konstantopoulos et al., 2013).
Just as a family poverty level can directly relate to the contribution of the child sex trafficking industry, the trauma of child after such a difficult situation is related to the victim resources that are available to them afterwards. There are so many issues that have not even been mentioned that are associated with private trouble and public issues of children sex trafficking. All of these factors can be looked at through a sociological perspective and can help us develop a better understanding of child trafficking and what can be done to rectify the issues that are associated with
Sex trafficking looks like the old dehumanizing slave exchange. It includes automatic bondage and is accordingly regularly alluded to as advanced slavery. It is the lack of uniformity in how trafficking is defined is frequently cited as a major problem for the development of data sources and comparative analysis (Laczko & Gramegna, 2003; Kangaspunta, 2003).
In the following assignment, it is my intention to produce a research report, examining women involved in street prostitution and how they end up entering the criminal justice system. Within the report I will look at three pieces of research, review their main findings, the type of research that was used, and look to identify where I believe further research is required. My reason for choosing women in the criminal justice system is that I have expressed an interest in the criminal justice setting and my elective module is in this area. Anything that I learn from undertaking this assignment will aid my understanding and increase my knowledge base when undertaking my second placement.
Sex trafficking, particularly that of children, has become a growing concern in the United States over the past several decades (Kotrla, 2010). By definition, child sex trafficking is “when a child (under 18 years of age) is induced to perform a commercial sex act” (U.S., 2013, para. 4), and includes forms such as prostitution and pornography (Kotrla, 2010). Researchers suggest that children are the most vulnerable to becoming victims of prostitution (Kotrla), and it is estimated that there are at least 100,000 victims in the United States (Estes & Weiner, 2001). Sex traffickers, otherwise known as “pimps,” often lure children with promises of food, clothing, love, and shelter, and then the pimps manipulate the children to keep them in prostitution (U.S. Department of Justice [DOJ], 2015). Awareness of the issue has led to the development of organizations, such as Children of the Night, that seek to help victims escape the sex trafficking industry (Children of the Night [COTN], 2016d).
In an article by DorchenLeidholdt, a Co-Executive Director for the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women, supposed that those who accept the theory that there is voluntary sex work, ignores the social forces of poverty, violence and inequality that propel women and children into sexual exploitation and the harm that women and children incur as a direct result of it. In this view, it is understood that the consent given by women in entering into sex work is preceded by and conditioned on traumatic abuse. It signifies that prostituted women go into prostitution not by their own voluntary means but are dragged and forced towards it by strong social factors that are outside their control.
Sex acts include; prostitution and forced or coerced sex for monetary value like human sex trafficking. The second population group is adults, age 18 or over, induced into commercial sex through force, fraud, or coercion. And lastly, the third population group is children and adults induced to perform labor or services through force, fraud, or coercion. When it comes to the background of sex trafficking victims there is no one certain type of victim. These victims come in all shapes and sizes and come from diverse communities all across this country. All victims have different socioeconomic backgrounds, varied levels of education and could also possibly be documented or undocumented citizens. According to Equalitynow.org, when it comes to different genders that are trapped into the world of sex trafficking ninety-eight percent of victims are women and young girls. Equalitynow.org says “the commercial sex industry preys on women and girls who are particularly vulnerable. Most have experienced significant trauma and many are still children when they enter prostitution” (“What Is… Equality Now). Homeless youth and runaways are the most vulnerable victims to be involved with sex trafficking. The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported on a study in Chicago, in which fifty-six percent of prostituted women were initially runaway youth and similar numbers had also been identified for the male population.
Prostitution, as stated by Flemming, is known as a form of sexual activity, a kind of sexual style or category, and a form of economic activity, a way of making a living through the provisions of certain services, by behaving in accordance with, or falling into such a category (39). This definition, though, is controversial. While conducting research for this project, we found that most topics regarding prostitution and its affiliates were controversial. Each author gave a differing interpretation for the same data. Due to this, our project centered on the female prostitutes, even though there is evidence of male prostitutes.
Sex trafficking is a global problem that involves the exploitation and abuse of girls as well as women. This paper will discuss the problem, with an emphasis on the views expressed by Paola Monzini in her book Sex Traffic: Prostitution, Crime and Exploitation. The paper will look at the causes, consequences and prevalence rates of sex trafficking and will consider the impact of such factors as globalization and women’s poverty in perpetuating the problem or making it worse. The paper will conclude with a discussion of the ways in which a human rights perspective might translate into positive action to eliminate the trafficking of girls and women.
. The narrative interviews were conducted in a secure, private office designed to make the participants feel safe. “The primary investigator started with demographic information, such as age, ethnicity, etc, and then moved onto questions that focused on personal histories, their experiences being sex trafficked, how they were recruited, their exiting process, and the psychological effects of surviving sex trafficking” (Domoney et al., 485). All six women are American citizens, speak English as their first language and range from 22- 55 years old. Four participants identified as being African American, one identified being Caucasian, and one identified as being Mixed (Domoney et al., 486). Although there is a wide age range between participants
(Vanderstok, 2010). The stereotypical association with sex workers is that they originate from disturbed or traumatic lifestyles, while some do enter prostitution through the forms of sex trafficking and other related incidents, there are others who independently choose to become a sex worker or prostitute. According to research, women that have been introduced to trafficking networks derive either from forcefulness from groups or have deliberately chosen to enter the workforce of the sex industry. (Barrett, & Melrose, 2006). Even though sex trafficking is one way of entering the sex industry in the Netherlands, it is not always perceived as a highly reviewed decision by the women who choose to take such a path. While the conditions of these actions are not expected in the decision process, some women may feel that trafficking will aid in the escape of their country of origins current conditions, whether it be from social, economic, or political reasons. (Barrett, & Melrose, 2006). Sex trafficking is one method of entry into the sex industry in the Netherlands, which is why they began the process of legalizing prostitution in the hopes of slowing or stopping this particular method within their country with regulations. Within Barrett and Melrose’s research, they elaborate on reasons why sex trafficking is an issue in Europe. Since sex trafficking is a demand-driven product, it tends to generate into a lucrative business for groups that associate
Availability sampling is a sample of convenience and respondent-driven sampling is when subjects are given an incentive to recruit others to participate (Bachman & Schutt, 2014). Women will be located through women’s shelters and by notices posted in a known prostitution area, the women will then be asked to refer other women to participate. To reach a more diverse sample the women will be offered another $5 for every woman they recruit up to five subjects. Women are eligible for the study if they are currently involved in street-level prostitution or have been involved in the past year. The sample size is expected to be approximately 100 women. The research will be qualitative. The initial research question was found using deductive reasoning, taking the body of research and applying it to the individuals that will be involved in the study, but the study will use inductive reasoning by taking the individual women’s experience to generalize to all prostitutes.
The methods and sampling of the study used were mixed methods that were both quantitative and qualitative in nature. The sampling group was narrowed down by using the quantitative method of systematic random sampling, in which, the researchers created a “small random sample from a much larger target group” by approaching every third women that they knew was a sex worker (Maschi & Youdin, 2012, p. 142). This type of sampling helped to eliminate biases among the willing participants. The qualitative method in the study was the use of cross- sectional surveys with women that associated with sex work.
Prostitution, “Providing or receiving sexual acts, between a prostitute and a client, in exchange for money or some other form of remuneration” (Hock 557). The idea of exchanging sex for valuables has been seen since the beginning of human society. The first reported data about prostitution was reported around 3000 B.C.E in Mesopotamia, one of the first known civilizations (Caraboi and Fierbinteanu 362). Also, prostitution is often referred to as “the world’s oldest profession.” Today, even though prostitution is illegal in most parts of the world, prostitution is still prevalent worldwide with many forms of prostitution and ways to exchange sexual services for payment. Street walkers are prostitutes who sell their services on the street, usually with the customer typically driving up to the prostitute. According to Roger R. Hock, professor of human sexuality and author of the textbook Human Sexuality, street walkers face the highest risk for arrest, violence and contracting sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) (Hock 558). Escorts can also be prostitutes; they are contacted in private by clients and are usually at less risk of violence. Another type of prostitute is brothel workers; brothel workers work in “a house of prostitution,” a brothel and are normally in areas with legal prostitution (Hock 560). These three types of prostitutes are the most common form of prostitution and can be seen worldwide. Similar to prostitution,