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Sex Trafficking Into the United States: A Literature Review

NCJ Number
215208
Journal
Criminal Justice Review Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2006 Pages: 146-169
Author(s)
Edward J. Schauer; Elizabeth M. Wheaton
Date Published
June 2006
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This article examines literature relating to the trafficking of women and children into the United States for sexual exploitation.
Abstract
The high availability of women and children from vulnerable populations and the lack of means to identify and prosecute traffickers and handle police corruption in the area of trafficking of women and children are issues that must be addressed. Along with the economic incentives for criminals to deal in modern-day slavery, there is a lack of coordination and organizational means to stop the flow of human trafficking. Areas that must be strengthened include: qualitative research to develop valid definitions of the legal concepts relating to crimes of sex trafficking; quantitative and empirical analysis and data; development of trafficking laws consistent with the Federal Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 (TVPA); and police training in trafficking law enforcement. This article represents an attempt to bring together the scientific literature available on the subject of sex trafficking of women into the United States. The purpose is to illuminate trafficking’s negative impacts, the need for further research and lawmaking, insight into improving interdiction, enforcement, and prosecution of traffickers, and for knowledge relating to the victim’s needs for support and services. References