Sex Trafficking
Sex trafficking occurs when individuals are made to perform commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Any child under the age of 18 who is involved in commercial sex is legally a victim of trafficking, regardless of whether there is a third party involved.
Someone may be experiencing sex trafficking if they:
- Want to stop participating in commercial sex but feel scared or unable to leave the situation
- Disclose that they were reluctant to engage in commercial sex but that someone pressured them into it
- Live where they work or are transported by guards between home and workplace
- Are children who live with or are dependent on a family member with a substance use problem or who is abusive
- Have a "pimp" or "manager" in the commercial sex industry
- Work in an industry where it may be common to be pressured into performing sex acts for money, such as strip clubs, illicit cantinas, go-go bars, or illicit massage businesses
- Have a controlling parent, guardian, romantic partner, or "sponsor" who will not allow them to meet or speak with anyone alone or who monitors their movements, spending, or communications