Kimberly Ballard Capstone Paper

RUNNING HEAD: FACTORS LINKED TO SEX TRAFFICKING 1
Individual, Familial, and Societal Factors Linked to Sex Trafficking
and the Unique Position Health Professionals are in to Make a
Difference
Kimberly Ballard
Sociology Capstone
Dr. Newtson
Columbus State University
April 7, 2016

Abstract:
The true extent of the mental, physical, and emotional problems affecting sex trafficking victims
is just now beginning to be recognized and understood at the international level. Previous
research has focused on physical issues, in particular the violence experienced by victims of sex
trafficking, but limited research has been done on the emotional and mental effects which many
victims endure for the remainder of their lives. Additionally, little research has been done on the
determinants which lead a person to enter the sex trade. Health care providers are often the only
professionals that victims encounter while being trafficked and therefore are in a unique position
to identify and assist sex trafficking victims; however, many report a lack of general knowledge
leading to misidentification or non-identification. They also report a lack of familiarity with
community resources available to victims of sex trafficking. This paper will highlight the
individual, familial, and societal factors leading young girls and women into sex trafficking
along with the physical, emotional and mental effects felt by victims long after leaving the
industry. This paper will also address the short-term and long-term medical and social service
needs of these victims and the unique position health professionals are in to lead the effort in
providing necessary resources in a safe and secure environment.

Introduction
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 defines sex trafficking as the
‘‘recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a
commercial sex act, in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in
which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age’’ (Trafficking
Victims Protection Act/TVPA 2000). Underage children are considered unable to make sound
decisions; therefore, proof of force, fraud, or coercion is not required for victims under the age of
eighteen.
The thirteenth amendment to the United States Constitution, passed in 1865, was created
to abolish slavery and involuntary servitude; however, modern day slavery in the form of sex
trafficking is very much alive and thriving in the United States. The International Labour
Organization estimates there are over 4.5 million victims of forced sexual exploitation
worldwide, 98% of whom are women and girls (International Labour Organization, 2012). Sex
trafficking is the third largest form of global criminal activity, with annual profits of $25-30
billion. Traffickers, on average, make approximately $21,800 per victim per year (U.S.
Department of State, 2014). The United States is currently the second largest consumer in the
world (International Labour Organization, 2012). The average age of a child entering the sex
trade is thirteen and the vast majority of victims in the United States are U.S. citizens. It is
believed that the number of victims is vastly underreported due to a reluctance to identify as a
victim, physical threats and psychological manipulation by traffickers, fear of retaliation, shame,
fear of authorities, and dependence on traffickers.
For most of us, it is hard to imagine what would lead to a person’s involvement in the sex
trade. Generally speaking, there are two ways in which young girls become victims of sexual

exploitation: they are transported to another country with promises of employment, or they are
recruited from an abusive home. There are many recognized factors which create vulnerability in
a child. Individual level factors include a history of sexual abuse, a violent childhood, lack of
formal education and a need for affection. Familial factors which greatly influence a young
woman’s decision to enter the sex trade include uneducated parents, a dysfunctional family, and
parents who rely on their children for income. Societal factors encompass issues such as
financial insecurity and gender inequality.
One of the biggest issues facing victims of sex trafficking is the risk of life threatening
health problems. There are numerous serious public health implications associated with sex
trafficking including sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, forced abortion, and
abortion-related complications. These health concerns, along with the threat of increased HIV
transmission, demonstrates that sex trafficking is an issue of global concern. Although sex
trafficking victims experience many life-threatening health concerns, “traffickers typically do not
allow victims to seek health care—unless it is for an abortion, in which case the cost of the
abortion is added to any outstanding debt the woman owes” (Riegler, 2007, p. 243).
When a victim is allowed to seek health care, it is often the only time they will interact
with a professional during their time being trafficked. Of the women who reported having seen a
health care provider, only about one-half of them believed the doctor recognized they were sex
workers and even then doctors did not understand that the women were being trafficked (Lederer
& Wetzel, 2014). The lack of a centralized database of sex trafficking victims adds to the
difficulty in identifying victims; therefore, it is imperative that health care providers are aware of
the indicators of being trafficked. These include STI’s, vaginal and rectal trauma, unintentional
pregnancies, burns, lacerations, addictions and mental health trauma.

Theoretical Approaches
There are three theoretical approaches addressed in this paper: Socioeconomic Theory,
Feminist Theory, and Ecological Systems Theory. Socioeconomic Theory in the context of sex
trafficking is centered on the premise that each country’s role in sex trafficking is directly related
to local and global economy, poverty and employment rates, human development, and per capita
income. Countries that export women and children for the commercial sex trade are usually
poorer than the countries receiving the women and children. Feminist Theory, as it relates to sex
trafficking, argues that unemployment rates and poverty rates are typically higher for women
than men; therefore, women customarily have a lower social standing, less economic
opportunity, and less power. Ecological Systems Theory is comprised of three levels: micro,
meso, and macro. Micro level theory submits that women are trafficked due to previous sexual
abuse, an absent father, and a desire for attachment. Meso level theory proposes that perhaps
there was trauma in the woman’s familial relationships such as rape, abuse and incest. The
victim then continues the same relationship with her pimp resulting in depression, anxiety and
post-traumatic stress disorder. Macro level theory maintains that victims perhaps grew up in a
culture where prostitution was accepted and therefore have become accustomed to it.
Literature Review
In the article, “Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: Assessing and Reducing Risk”
(Countryman-Roswurn & Bolin, 2014), a ten-session therapeutic curriculum was developed to
assess past risk factors of sex workers. There were twenty-three participants between the ages of
fourteen and twenty-one. Consistent with most research, the article found that common factors

leading to involvement in the sex industry include poverty, familial abuse (physical and sexual),
alcohol and/or drug abuse, and problematic relationships. Many teens reported being tricked into
trafficking by their boyfriends. Runaways and homeless youth have a greater risk of being lured
into sex trafficking.
The article found that due to the difficulty in identifying victims of sex trafficking,
victims rarely get the resources they need. Most often they are identified as sex workers rather
than sex trafficking victims. In fact, “it is not uncommon for first responders or service providers
to treat sex trafficking survivors as delinquent criminals rather than survivors of a form of
victimization that requires holistic trauma responsive care” (Countryman-Roswurn & Bolin,
2014, p. 523).
This article suggests that professionals learn to use terminology that redefines sex
trafficking as a form of abuse and recognizes the fact that all sexually exploited children deserve
services rather than prosecution. Services should be centered around the victim with the
understanding that survivors of sex trafficking know their lives better than anyone and have the
capacity to lead their own recovery. Psychoeducational groups are often used because they have
been shown to empower participants, improve cognitive and social skills, increase self-esteem
and provide a sense of belonging.
Another article, “Sex Trafficking and Health Care in Metro Manila: Identifying Social
Determinants to Inform an Effective Health System Response” (Williams et al., n.d.) delves
further into the factors leading young women into sex work. A study was conducted among fifty-
one health care and anti-trafficking stakeholders in Metro Manila, considered to be one of the
world’s worst child trafficking problem areas. The study found that most girls enter sex
trafficking due to force, deception, economics, or manipulation. The study highlighted three

levels of determinants for young girls entering the sex trade: individual-level determinants
encompassing a history of sexual abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and poor self-
esteem; familial/cultural-level determinants including dysfunctional family, uneducated parents,
and parents who are economically dependent on their children; and society-level determinants
including poverty and economic desperation, complicity by government officials, and a demand
for virgins.
In Manila it was found that girls receive “training” in preparation for international
exposure and are then transported through sea ports or international airports, often using forged
or stolen birth certificates. The girls were forced to live a daily life of abuse and neglect
including rape, beatings, and forced abortions. Abortions are illegal in the Philippines and it is
believed that most abortions are carried out on the black market by poorly trained professionals.
The resulting effects of this type of lifestyle include alcohol abuse, drug abuse, anger, mistrust,
and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Recidivism is an issue of great concern as well. Once an underage victim is rescued, she
is most often sent back to her home where she feels the same hopelessness she felt when she first
entered the sex trade. The government in Manila focuses most of its efforts on prosecuting
traffickers rather than helping victims. Health services for victims are left to non-governmental
organizations who do not have the funding to provide the necessary services. Proposed actions
presented by the article include tax incentives for hospitals providing valuable services to
trafficking victims, more funding allocated to victims, a curriculum for health care providers, and
a one-stop shop for victims when they are rescued.
The article “Heterogeneous and Vulnerable: The Health Risks Facing Transnational
Female Sex Workers” (Choi, 2011) addresses socio-economic backgrounds, working conditions,

HIV/AIDS knowledge, and vulnerability to health risks of female sex workers from Russia,
Vietnam, Thailand and China. The study was conducted in Macau, known as “Asia’s Las
Vegas”. The results show major differences among the different groups in socio-economic
profiles, working conditions and exposure to health risks. The article highlights the social and
cultural contexts in relation to health risks and the need for individualized intervention. The
study found that migration in itself exposes sex workers to situations that affect their health and
safety.
Non-condom use is one of the main health issues facing sex workers in Manila. Local
workers complain that migrant workers often have non-condom sex for a higher fee which
diminishes the locals’ opportunities to make money while having safe sex. On the other hand, the
migrant workers often feel they have no choice because they have no power with their clients
due to their illegal status, lack of native language, and economic pressures. The study showed
that women with the least sexual health knowledge (Vietnam and Thailand) had the highest
percentage of non-condom use. Non-condom use was also greater with older aged women and
women with children due to economic reasons.
Emotional damage, violence by clients, and unwanted pregnancies are all health issues
common to sex workers; however, the most prevalent health concern is the transmission of HIV.
Although HIV rates are low in Macau, the growing sex industry is creating great concern for
future HIV rates. It was found that “three quarters of the HIV positive people in Macau were
Thai nationals and 85% were temporary residents” (Morais et al., 1998).
The transmission of HIV is a health concern for sex workers across the globe. According
to the article, “Associations of Sex Trafficking History with Recent Sexual Risk Among HIV-
Infected FSWs in India” (Silverman et al., 2014), there are currently 2.4 million people living

with HIV in India. The majority of them acquired the disease through heterosexual contact with
female sex workers (FSW’s). Studies show that HIV rates for FSW’s are as much as fifteen
times that of the general population and women who are trafficked are at a much greater risk
compared to those who enter sex work voluntarily. In this study, one-half (50.2%) of HIV-
infected FSW’s reported entering sex work before age eighteen. A slightly lower number
(41.7%) reported being coerced into sex work (Silverman et al., 2014, p. 555).
The means by which HIV is transmitted from FSW’s to clients is through unprotected
sex. One in three HIV-infected FSW’s reported having recent unprotected sex with clients,
increasing the potential for secondary transmission. Those who entered sex work prior to age
eighteen were more likely to engage in unprotected sex; however, those who were coerced into
sex work were more likely to use condoms than those who voluntarily entered the industry.
Unfortunately, we are now seeing an increase in the number of women being diagnosed with
HIV after having unprotected sex with their husbands who have previously had unprotected sex
with HIV-infected sex workers. Because HIV-infected FSW’s are continuing to spread the
disease to clients and their wives, and because unprotected sex was reported at a higher rate by
those who entered sex work prior to age eighteen, there is an urgent need to prevent minors from
entering the sex industry, whether voluntarily or by coercion.
Continuing the discussion on HIV, the article “Trafficked? AIDS, Criminal Law and the
Politics of Measurement” (Ahmed, 2015) addresses two different positions on the best way to
decrease the spread of HIV through sex work. There is no question that individuals who transact
sex are at a much higher risk for HIV; the question is what to do about it. One possible solution
brought forth is abolition – the criminalization of the purchase of sex which abolitionists argue
would decrease the transmission of HIV. Abolitionists believe that female sex workers are

victims of circumstances and male abuse; however, others argue that abolitionists use criminal
law as a way to address macro-level feminist issues such as domestic violence, sexual violence
and trafficking.
On the opposite end of the spectrum are the harm-reductionists who suggest
decriminalizing sex work, allowing sex workers to seek medical treatment without fear of
charges being brought against them. This would also allow health professionals to avoid charges
being brought against them for aiding and abetting traffickers by providing condoms to sex
workers. The goal of harm-reductionists is to reduce the violence involved in sex work rather
than prevent sex work altogether.
The conflict between abolitionists and harm-reductionists increased with the discovery of
HIV in the 1980s. People began to realize that sex workers were not only engaging in illegal
activity, but were also spreading HIV. Sex workers soon found themselves labeled as
perpetrators rather than victims so they attempted to alter the public’s perspective and portray
themselves in a different manner. Professional health providers tend to side with harm-
reductionists, believing that engaging sex workers is essential in the success of HIV programs.
While HIV continues to be a growing concern, there are many other health issues facing
sex workers on a daily basis. The authors of the article, “The Psychological Experience of Child
and Adolescent Sex Trafficking in the United States: Trauma and Resilience in Survivors”
(Cecchet & Thoburn, 2014) conducted narrative research in order to learn about victims’
experiences and to gain a cultural understanding of those experiences. Interviews were
conducted with six females over the age of eighteen, all of whom entered sex trade before age
eighteen but were now out of the business. The authors of this study argue that without a clear
understanding of the psychological experiences of sex trafficking victims, it is nearly impossible

to develop appropriate services for them. Many health providers are unable to treat victims
because they are unfamiliar with sex trafficking.
Child sex trafficking victims are continuously threatened with violence and physical
abuse such as burns, broken bones, and other forms of torture. Daily life includes rape and sexual
assault leading to sexually transmitted infections, forced abortions, HIV, and even infertility.
This article broke down the experiences of sex trafficking victims into the following five
categories: Predisposing vulnerability, recruitment, threats to life, motivation to leave the
industry, and resiliency. Under the category of predisposing vulnerability, all of the participants
reported factors in their childhood that made them more vulnerable to sex work. These included
sexual abuse, absent father, dysfunctional family, etc. As far as recruitment, all of the
participants reported they were easily recruited due to their desire to be loved and wanted. The
majority came from homes void of affection. Reported threats to life included attempted murder,
kidnapping, forced drugs, and the use of stun guns, baseball bats, and knives while being raped.
The main motivation for leaving was pregnancy with mental health issues closely behind. Every
participant reported having numerous abortions as well as depression, anxiety, and post-
traumatic stress disorder. The issue of resiliency was particularly enlightening. Each participant
firmly believed that while they used to see themselves as victims, they now consider themselves
survivors. They contend that this attitude is what allowed them to keep moving forward in life at
a time when they wanted to die. At the time this study was conducted, each of the participants
had managed to find success outside of the sex industry, many with nonprofit organizations
aimed at helping juveniles in prostitution.
Abortion is another significant health issue affecting victims of sex trafficking. The
article “The Relationship of Abortion and Violence Against Women: Violence Prevention

Strategies and Research Needs” (Coyle et al., 2015) looks at the act of abortion in terms of
violence against women. It focuses on the different reasons for abortion such as coerced
abortions by governments, forced abortions as a result of sex trafficking, and sex-selection
abortions. The only one we will focus on in this paper is forced abortions as a result of sex
trafficking.
The rising frequency of forced abortions is an alarming trend in sex trafficking. The
International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS has actually condemned coerced
abortion as a violation of human rights (International Community of Women Living with
HIV/AIDS, 2008).). The American Psychological Association has acknowledged a need for
more research on the long term effects of “forced abortions on survivors’ sexual and
reproductive health” (American Psychological Association, 2013, P. 21). In the sex industry,
pregnant women are often in high demand by clients, resulting in more money for pregnant sex
workers; therefore, women often carry their pregnancy until very late and are then forced to
abort.
The authors of this article suggest that future research should focus not only on legal
interventions aimed at reducing sex trafficking, but also the therapy needs of women who have
been coerced into abortion.
One of the main barriers for sex trafficking victims in receiving necessary treatment is the
inability of health providers to identify victims of sex trafficking. In “Human Sex Trafficking:
Recognition, Treatment, and Referral of Pediatric Victims” (Ernewein & Nieves, 2015), the
authors highlight ways in which health providers can identify victims and provide necessary
resources.

It is difficult for health professionals to identify victims due to isolation, threats of
violence, and debt bondage. Victims choose not to seek help because they feel helpless and fear
for their safety. Additionally, the trafficker responds to the emotional needs of their victims
creating an emotional bond between them and their victim known as Stockholm Syndrome. The
majority of victims do not see themselves as a victim so it is imperative that health professionals
learn to identify sex trafficking victims and be able to refer them to the appropriate services. The
ability to identify red flags and risk factors is essential. Indicators of being trafficked include
sexually transmitted infections, vaginal and rectal trauma, unintentional pregnancies, burns,
lacerations, addictions and mental health trauma.
Victims often face life-threatening injuries and health providers are often the first ones
the victim encounters. This provides them with a unique opportunity to identify the patient as a
sex trafficking victim and begin the treatment and referral process. Health professionals must
realize that victims have a need not only for immediate medical care but also dental care, mental
health services, long-term medical care, and emotional and psychological assistance.
Communities also need to come together to identify victims and help them to reintegrate
back into society through trauma treatment and medical treatment. Community organizations
need to recognize ongoing needs including shelter, educational training, and financial assistance.
Although medical professionals are in a unique position to identify victims of sex
trafficking, many admit they need more guidance and training. In the article “Medical Response
to Sex Trafficking of Minors in Wisconsin” (Rabbitt, 2015), providers admitted a lack of
understanding of the issue as well as little confidence in being able to identify victims of sex
trafficking. In 2013, only 5% of trafficking victims identified by their agencies were referred for
health care (Rabbitt, 2015, p. 53).

Physical effects of sex trafficking include inadequate diet, poor hygiene, substance abuse,
neglect, pregnancy, and lack of health care. Psychological effects include removal from their
families, isolation, ongoing threats, and witnessing abuse of others. As a result, this population
has a high rate of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. For this reason, there is
also a need for coordination between service providers when it comes to providing referrals for
mental health treatment. However, like medical providers, community providers also report a
lack of understanding of sex trafficking. This article suggests that all youth should be screened
for sex trafficking if they present several of the following risk factors: homeless, recently
relocated, pregnant, sexually transmitted infections, those who are familiar with industry slang,
prior history of abuse, branding/tattoos, those with family members in the sex trade.
One of the reasons victims are not referred to services is because there are very few
resources for child victims of sex trafficking. In some cases, Child Protective Services is required
to provide safe shelter for a child who has been abused but there is no definitive rule when the
perpetrator is not the guardian or caregiver. Mental health facilities are trained to meet the needs
of children of sexual abuse but not necessarily the unique needs of child sex trafficking victims.
More resources are urgently needed to provide the services necessary for sex trafficking victims
to reintegrate back into society.
In the article, “An International Comparative Public Health Analyses of Sex Trafficking
of Women and Girls in Eight Cities: Achieving a More Effective Health Sector Response”
(Konstantopoulos et al., 2013), interviews were conducted among 277 anti-trafficking
stakeholders in eight cities during a twelve-month time frame. The results showed that although
victims face numerous psychological and physical health problems, health services are scarce
and poor, especially mental health. This is mostly due to a lack of awareness of sex trafficking

and biases toward sex workers. If trained properly, health professionals can provide an essential
role in anti-trafficking; however, results showed that it was extremely difficult for healthcare
workers to identify a victim of sex trafficking.
Local health care systems were described as weak and limited by respondents in all eight
cities. Although decent care was provided in emergency situations, there was not a well-
developed, coordinated system of health care. Non-governmental organizations serve as
additional help in securing health care through personal contacts in healthcare facilities, but most
do not have the funding to provide necessary services. In all eight cities, the absence of mental
health services was a major concern as well as the need for healthcare for the children of
trafficking victims.
Victims refrain from seeking healthcare for several reasons: fear of discrimination by
healthcare workers, fear of being reported to immigration officials, and the fear that they cannot
afford treatment. When they do seek treatment, they are often reluctant to reveal that they are sex
workers; therefore, the healthcare workers are unable to properly identify their needs. Many
healthcare workers are reluctant to address the needs of sex workers for several reasons: high
patient caseload, patient confidentiality, and fear of retribution by traffickers.
Conclusion and Summary
Sex trafficking has become an epidemic of global concern. Several possible options exist
to help young women who have been sexually exploited or are vulnerable to becoming a victim
of trafficking. A better understanding of the individual, familial, and societal factors that lead
women into sex work can help prevent many of these women from ever becoming victims.
Those who have been sexually abused as a child, lack a formal education, and are financially

insecure are most at risk for entering the sex trade. Being able to identify a person as vulnerable
is essential to preventing them from becoming a victim. It is suggested that all youth should be
screened for sex trafficking if they present several of the following risk factors: homelessness,
recently relocated, pregnant, sexually transmitted infections, those who are familiar with industry
slang, prior history of abuse, branding/tattoos, those with family members in the sex trade.
Identifying possible victims before they enter the sex trade is ideal; however, it is not possible to
prevent all women from entering the industry. Once a person becomes involved in sex work, it is
imperative that they receive proper health care as well as resources for leaving the industry if
they desire.
Sex workers rarely interact with anyone outside of the industry; therefore, health
providers are in a unique position to recognize victims and provide appropriate resources.
However, victims usually do not seek medical treatment because they cannot afford it or they are
not allowed by their trafficker. They also report that health providers do not recognize them as
sex trafficking victims and do not treat them as victims. Instead, health providers often believe
they are voluntarily working in the sex trade and they are viewed negatively because of their
profession.
Health providers must learn to identify victims and work within their community to
provide the appropriate services for long-term emotional, physical and psychological help. To do
this, they must become familiar with the community resources available to victims. Additional
suggestions for health providers include direct involvement in community anti-trafficking
campaigns, awareness of nongovernmental organizations, and active involvement at the
legislative level.

In addition to the numerous health issues sex workers face, they also are subject to an
array of psychological issues including depression, anxiety, mistrust, and post-traumatic stress
disorder. While the physical effects may diminish quickly, the psychological effects are often
lifelong. Most mental health professionals are able to recognize and treat victims of child abuse,
but very few are trained to treat victims of sex trafficking. For this reason, many sex trafficking
victims never receive the mental health services they so desperately need.
The question remains of how best to help victims of sex trafficking. Some states have
adopted what is referred to as “Girls Courts” which originated in 2004 to address issues of drug
addiction, distrust of law enforcement, flight risk, trauma, pre-existing trauma, pimp-loyalty, and
denial. Girls Courts were created due to changes in thinking in terms of how prostitutes and sex
trafficking victims should be viewed, believing that these young girls and women should be
viewed as victims rather than criminals. The majority of these women have been victimized by
men and for this reason most Girls Courts do not allow any males in the courtroom. The courts
partner with community organizations to provide services such as substance abuse treatment,
mental health treatment, rape and sexual trauma counseling, vocational and educational services.
The women accepted into the program must make court appearances once a week, adhere
to a curfew of 7:00pm, and attend school at least 75% of the time (McGuire, 2016). Although
currently there are only Girls Courts in a handful of states, the results have been positive and it is
believed that this program will expand to other states in the near future. This will be a difficult
task, however, as indicated by the Human Trafficking and the State Courts Collaborative,
“Establishing an appropriate state court role in addressing the numerous and complicated forms
of modern-day slavery will be one of the most difficult challenges confronting state courts in the
coming decade.” (Human Trafficking and the State Courts Collaborative, 2016).

In addition to Girls Courts, two other solutions have been brought forth: abolition and
harm-reduction. Abolitionists contend that criminalization of the purchase of sex would decrease
the demand for sex workers, therefore decreasing the number of victims. On the other end of the
spectrum, harm-reductionists seek to decriminalize sex work which they argue would allow sex
workers to seek medical treatment without fear of charges against them. Professional health
providers tend to side with harm-reduction policy, believing that cooperation between the health
community and sex industry is vital in controlling the spread of HIV.
Legislation is the first step in protecting and aiding victims of sex trafficking; however,
legislation can only do so much. Understanding the factors which lead a child into sex trafficking
will help tremendously in recognizing and preventing young girls from ever becoming a victim.
Once a child is identified as vulnerable, steps must be put in place to help her from falling victim
to the determinants to which she has been exposed. If a person has already been sexually
exploited, it is imperative that she be treated as a victim rather than a criminal and must receive
services accordingly.
In this day and age, it is simply unacceptable for us as a society to sit back and allow
slavery and exploitation to continue for the purpose of profit. Modern-day slavery in the form of
sex trafficking must be eradicated and it must be done quickly before becoming an even greater
global epidemic. Law enforcement professionals, health professionals, and community
organizations must be able to identify victims, treat them as victims, and provide the necessary
resources in a safe and secure environment. If not, we will continue to see an increase in women
who are emotionally, physically, and mentally scarred for life due to sexual exploitation. This is
something that should never be tolerated in our society, especially when prevention is so easily
attainable.

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