Prostitution or Trafficking

By Tanya Pearrell

I receive Google alerts for a variety of topics associated with my job. One, obviously, is “sex trafficking”. One of those alerts led me to an article that had this quote at the top:

“According to experts, it’s important to understand the difference between prostitution, which is voluntary, and sex trafficking, which can trap victims with involuntary sex work.”

While I can see where they are coming from with this statement, it is not entirely true.  While prostitution will often seem “voluntary” or “chosen” it’s often a decision made because of a lack of choices. There are many factors that lead to the lack of choices. One common factor is a lack of a support system. 

In a clear trafficking situation (where force, fraud or coercion can be proven) the victim often does not identify as a victim. Why? Because the trafficker or pimp is a boyfriend or spouse, someone that has displayed love. There have been good times. It can be years before the woman will actually consider herself a victim of trafficking. 

Prostitution and trafficking are so closely intertwined it is impossible to only focus on trafficking (as it falls under the legal definition). And whether someone was forced into trafficking or entered through perceived choice the reality is that it is a dangerous, exploitive culture. Many in prostitution are abused, assaulted, and raped. More than 60% suffer from PTSD. How many would you think would choose this if presented with a real choice?

Quotes like this remind me that our job is not done. Awareness and education are not complete. Want to become better educated about trafficking, exploitation, and how to become involved?

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