1. Human Trafficking
Overview
Sex Trafficking in the U.S.
Fake Massage Businesses
Internet Based
Residential Brothels
Street Prostitution
Hostess & Strip Clubs
Escort Services
Truck Stops
Labor Trafficking in the U.S.
Recognizing the Signs
International Trafficking
Trafficking FAQs
State-by-State Resources
Calendar of Events
The NHTRC Human Trafficking Report a Tip Access Training Resources Map Get Involved Contact
This young woman, featured in the film Not
My Life, was forced to sell sex in truck stops in
the midwest.
Traffickers force girls and young women to sell
sex to men in parked trucks.
"If you see a young person at a truck stop, think twice. Children generally don't
go to truck stops, and if it seems wrong, it probably is. Don't be afraid to speak
up about what you see."
– Krista Hoffman, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape.
Sex traffickingoccurs at truck stops inthe UnitedStates oftenintwo
forms, throughpimpcontrolledprostitutionandthroughfake
massage businesses. Pimps frequently move their victims fromcity
to city, forcingvictims to engage incommercial sex at truck stops
alongthe way. Brothels disguisedas massage businesses are also
sometimes present at or near truck stops. These networks control
womenthroughconfinement andcomplicateddebt bondage
schemes.
Late one night, atruckerpulledoverat atruckstopnearthe highway. The driverobservedaman
with ayounggirl who appearedto be around13 years old, approach several trucks. One of the other
truckers toldhimthat the manwas offeringto sell the younggirl forcommercial sex. He had
frequently seenthemat the truckstopinthe past. The drivercontactedthe National Human
TraffickingResource Center(NHTRC), who reportedthe informationto afederal taskforce.*
*Basedoncalls receivedby the National HumanTraffickingResource Center. Details have been
changedto protect confidentiality.
When does it become trafficking?
Not all those workinginprostitutionat truck stops are trafficking
victims. Sometimes, womenofferingcommercial sex at truck stops
are there independently andare not under the control of apimp.
However, just as is the case instreet prostitutionandescort services,
victims under the control of apimphave beenfoundinanumber of
traffickingcases at truck stops. Womenprovidingcommercial sex
infake massage businesses are also oftenat high-risk for sex
trafficking.
Prostitutionbecomes traffickingwhenthe victimis aminor, or when
acontroller uses force, fraudand/or coercionto maintaincontrol over the victimandto cause
him/her to engage incommercial sex. For lists of commonmeans of control, see Street Prostitution
andFake Massage Businesses.
*The above list is not comprehensive orcumulative. One element of force, fraudorcoercionmay be
present, ormany.
Vulnerabilities
Transient nature of truckers &traffickers -Efforts by lawenforcement to stoptraffickingat truck
stops inone locationor regionare underminedas the johns andpimps simply relocate to truck stops
under less scrutiny. As aresult, victims remainisolatedfromthe surroundingcommunities.
Unique characteristics of truck stop trafficking
Advertising- Sex traffickingat truck stops has its ownslangandunique means of communication:
Sex Trafficking at Truck Stops E-mail PrintShare
SIGN UP BLOG SEARCH LOGIN
ABOUT USABOUT US WHAT WE DOWHAT WE DO HUMAN TRAFFICKING TAKE ACTIONTAKE ACTION RESOURCESRESOURCES MEDIAMEDIA GIVEGIVE
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com

2. Top Resources
HumanTrafficking
National HumanTraffickingResource
Center
Sex TraffickingintheU.S.
RecognizingtheSigns
TheVictims
Client Quotes
pimps advertise their victims over CBradios usingcode, johns searchonline trucker boards for
informationabout where to purchase prostitution, johns signal that they want commercial sex using
their headlights or stickers ontheir windows, andvictims knock onthe cab doors of trucks inthe
parkinglots. Fake massage businesses at or near truck stops are commonly advertisedonbillboards or
onsigns at or near the truck stop.
Perpetration of related crimes–Pimps sometimes demandthat their victims steal wallets or other
items fromthe truckers, andoccasionally, while drivers are distractedby the commercial sex act,
pimps steal cargo.
Transportation across state lines–Often, especially if the victimis aminor, pimps require her to
ask the johnfor aride across state lines, so that the john, not the pimp, is inviolationof the MannAct.
The MannAct prohibits transportationacross state lines for the purposes of prostitution.
Regional Scope-Typically, pimps will require their victims to engage incommercial sex at multiple
truck stops. Individuals prostitutedat truck stops are typically movedout of anareaafter two to three
weeks, andmay be movedthroughadozenor more states.
Statistics Snapshot
The availability of statistics is limiteddue to the crime’s hiddennature andlimitedawareness by
lawenforcement andsocial service providers.
Victims of pimp-controlledsex traffickingare commonly forcedto meet quotas of $500 to
$1,000 anight. Victims workingatruck stoptypically earn$5 -$100 per sex act. All earnings
are confiscatedby the pimp.
Victims of sex traffickingwithinfake massage businesses are commonly forcedto have sex with6
to 10 menaday.
For more resources onsex trafficking, click here
Contact
Polaris Project
P.O. Box 53315
Washington, D.C. 20009
Tel: 202-745-1001
Fax: 202-745-1119
Email Polaris Project
What We Do
National Human Trafficking Hotline
PolicyAdvocacy
Client Services
Training and TechnicalAssistance
Public Outreach and Communications
Fellowship Program
Connect Search Join Our Network
Privacy Policy | Copyright 2013 Polaris Project.
Sitemap Login
search the site enter your email
More Client Stories
"Many things have changed for
me since coming to Polaris
Project. I now believe it’s never
too late to begin again."
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com