+ WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A SEX TRAFFICKER?

A sex trafficker is anyone who sells another human being for sex in order to obtain money or something of value. Traffickers often use threats, violence, mental abuse, manipulation, lies, debt bondage, and even affection in order to pressure victims to sell their bodies for sex.

+ WHO ARE THEY?

There is no such thing as a typical trafficker; they can be men, women, gang members, pimps, business owners, “boyfriends,” relatives or even parents. In the past several years, gang members have become increasingly interested in the trafficking of humans, so much that,rival gangs are collaborating in order to move victims around and keep them hidden.

+ WHAT DOES POP-CULTURE HAVE TO DO WITH TRAFFICKERS?

The glamorization of pimps and the pimp culture became extremely popular in the 1980s; since then, lyrics, music videos and television have continued to portray pimps and pimping as an appealing and fun lifestyle within the hip hop culture. During its highly glorifiedyears, the idea of pimping and being controlled by a pimp became very normalized characteristics to many boys and girls growing up in an environment that allowed for that behavior to become a reality. The glamorizing of pimps and the commodification of women continues to live in our hip hopand pop-culture.

+ HOW DO THEY OPERATE?

Traffickers operate on different levels of the criminal scale. There is organized crime (gangs), transnational organized crime, opportunistic pimping, family operations, small business owners (massage parlors), and “partnerships” mainly run by men appearing as boyfriends.

+ WHERE DO THEY OPERATE?

Before the internet, traffickers used to keep their role of the business on the street, but now with the help of the dark web, they can maintain their distance and safely operate behind closed doors. Traffickers more often than not, will move their “stable” of victims to wherever the money is most profitable; meaning their operations are sometimes constantly on the move making it difficult for law enforcement to track. Other main reasons for traveling include: recruitment, police crack downs or stings, and special events that draw in more clientele.

+ WHAT IS THEIR MAIN OBJECTIVE?

The traffickers’ most common incentive is to make money. There are experts who have interacted with traffickers and former traffickers that say a majority of these men do not see themselves as criminals; but as business men. Some traffickers believe this is the best option of survival in the environment they grew up in; and sadly, the victims are often the collateral damage of that belief.

+ WHAT PENALTIES DO THEY FACE?

Currently, federal laws are in place to prosecute traffickers, prevent human trafficking and protect victims and survivors of trafficking. However, the definitions and punishments for human trafficking differ from state to state. The severity of these punishments can also vary based on associated criminal acts and the type of trafficking involved (sex trafficking, child sex trafficking, sex tourism, peonage, etc.) Unfortunately, because the recognition of this criminal industry is more recent, there are many states that do not have the proper policies or protocols in place for human trafficking offenses. Additionally, much like domestic violence situations, prosecuting traffickers can be challenging when it requires survivors to provide critical information and/or testify against their abusers.