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Human Trafficking, Commercial Sexual Exploitation, and Systems of Prostitution: Introduction

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Introduction

Introduction

This Research Guide is designed to aid researchers in understanding and dealing with the social problems and crimes related to Human trafficking, Commercial Sexual Exploitation, and Systems of Prostitution. 

Human Trafficking:  "Human Trafficking" is a broad category of crimes that involves the threat or use “force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, slavery” or commercial sex acts.[1] It is a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry that oppresses millions of people around the globe.[2] Despite its prevalence, human trafficking is often misunderstood due to popular media misrepresentations and misinformation spread through news and social media. Understanding the law of human trafficking requires a close analysis of complex state and federal laws.

Commercial Sexual Exploitation:  Commercial Sexual Exploitation refers to a range of crimes and activities involving the sexual abuse or exploitation of children, youth, or adults for the financial benefit of any person or in exchange for anything of value (including monetary and non-monetary benefits) given or received by any person.  Commercial sexual exploitation may include prostitution, pornography, sex tourism, stripping, escort services, phone sex lines, and private parties.

Systems of Prostitution:  "Systems of prostitution" may refer to organized structures and networks that support and perpetuate commercial sexual exploitation, such systems may include entities and practices such as:  Pimps and Traffickers: Individuals or groups who recruit, control, and exploit individuals for profit through manipulation and violence; Brothels and Escort Services: Establishments that provide a physical or virtual space for the exchange of sex for money, legally or illegally; Online Platforms: Websites and social media platforms that advertise and arrange commercial sex services, sometimes under the guise of legitimate dating or escort services; Clients ("Johns"): Individuals who purchase sexual services, creating demand for the exploitation of individuals in prostitution; Law Enforcement and Legal Systems: Institutions that can either combat or inadvertently support systems of prostitution through laws, regulations, and enforcement practices (or lack thereof); Economic and Social Factors: Broader societal issues such as poverty, lack of education, and social inequality that can make individuals vulnerable to exploitation and sustain the supply side of the prostitution system; and Cultural and Media Influences: Norms, values, and representations in media that normalize or glamorize commercial sex, contributing to its acceptance and continuation.  These systems are often complex and interlinked, creating an environment where exploitation can thrive and be difficult to dismantle.  Anti-commercial sexual exploitation efforts aim to address and disrupt these systems through legislation, support services for survivors, public awareness campaigns, and other interventions.

            This guide is intended to help researchers and practitioners find primary and secondary legal sources, along with other informational resources, on the topics of human trafficking law, commercial sexual exploitation, and systems of prostitution.  It is designed to supplement the Library at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law and is not intended to constitute legal advice.  This Guide also includes parallel citations to a source’s location within the library, where possible.


[1] 22 USC § 7102(11)  

[2] https://polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/

Guide Author

Institute to Address Commercial
Sexual Exploitation