+ WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A SEX BUYER?
Sometimes referred to as “tricks” or “johns” in the sex trade, a sex buyer is an individual who purchases another human being for a sexual act.
+ WHO ARE THEY?
There is no definitive type of sex buyer in the United States. Sex buyers can be any gender, age, ethnicity; and come from any social class, marital status, occupational background, etc.
+ WHERE DO THEY PURCHASE SEX
Sex buyers can purchase sex on the street, through local classifieds, escort agencies, at clubs or cantinas, brothels, strip clubs, massage parlors, and through online ads and encrypted networks. The use of the internet has increased over time due to the ease of access and the appealing anonymity of the purchase.
+ WHAT ARE "HIGH FREQUENCY" BUYERS?
According to research by the organization Demand Abolition, high-frequency buyers (who buy at least once a month) are responsible for three of every four transactions in the illegal sex trade.
+ DO THEY UNDERSTAND THE HARM OF SEX TRAFFICKING?
There is much debate whether or not sex buyers understand the potential harm and risk of purchasing a sex trafficking victim. The limited research that has been done cannot provide clear evidence that buyers knew they purchased a sex trafficking victim; however, there is a common disinterest in the well-being of the individuals purchased for sex.
+ WHAT PENALTIES DO THEY FACE?
Penalties for purchasing sex vary state by state, but have historically been lenient on the buyer. However, there has been a recent push to change both the severity of punishment and the language in cases to put the focus on sex buyers. Experts agree that increasing penalties for buyers would encourage both accountability and prevention. Considering the large percentage of high frequency buyers, experts also suggest penalty structures with greater consequences if a buyer commits the crime again. Regardless, any buyer who purchases a child under the age of 18 can face statutory rape charges, although it’s often difficult to prove they knew the victim was underage.
+ SOURCES
WHAT DEFINES A SEX BUYER?
Sometimes referred to as “tricks” or “johns” in the sex trade, a sex buyer is an individual who purchases another human being for a sexual act.
WHO ARE THEY?
There is no definitive type of sex buyer in the United States. Sex buyers can be any gender, age, ethnicity; and come from any social class, marital status, occupational background, etc.
WHERE DO THEY PURCHASE SEX?
Sex buyers can purchase sex on the street, through local classifieds, escort agencies, at clubs or cantinas, brothels, strip clubs, massage parlors, and through online ads and encrypted networks. The use of the internet has increased over time due to the ease of access and the appealing anonymity of the purchase.
WHAT ARE "HIGH FREQUENCY" BUYERS?
According to research by the organization Demand Abolition, high-frequency buyers (who buy at least once a month) are responsible for three of every four transactions in the illegal sex trade.
DO THEY UNDERSTAND THE HARM OF SEX TRAFFICKING?
There is much debate whether or not sex buyers understand the potential harm and risk of purchasing a sex trafficking victim. The limited research that has been done cannot provide clear evidence that buyers knew they purchased a sex trafficking victim; however, there is a common disinterest in the well-being of the individuals purchased for sex.
WHAT PENALTIES DO THEY FACE?
Penalties for purchasing sex vary state by state, but have historically been lenient on the buyer. However, there has been a recent push to change both the severity of punishment and the language in cases to put the focus on sex buyers. Experts agree that increasing penalties for buyers would encourage both accountability and prevention. Considering the large percentage of high frequency buyers, experts also suggest penalty structures with greater consequences if a buyer commits the crime again. Regardless, any buyer who purchases a child under the age of 18 can face statutory rape charges, although it’s often difficult to prove they knew the victim was underage.
SOURCES