This document provides information about sex work and sex trafficking. It defines a sex worker as anyone working in the sex industry, including prostitutes, strippers, escorts, etc. It notes that sex work is not always by choice and discusses statistics on human trafficking globally and in the US. It outlines common methods used to lure victims into trafficking and physical and psychological complications resulting from trafficking. It discusses debates around definitions of trafficking and consent. It also gives examples of sex trafficking patterns observed in Northeast US cities like Boston, Providence and elsewhere, highlighting that this issue exists even in suburban and rural areas, and provides local case examples and reviews from sex buying websites.

1. What is a “sex worker”
A sex worker is anyone who works in the sex industry such as…
• Prostitutes
• Strippers
• go-go dancers
• burlesque performers
• Escorts
• Dominatrices
• peepshow workers
• phone sex operators
• Hustlers
• foot fetish models
• brothel workers
• porn performers

2. Unfortunately, Sex work is not always by choice.

3. According to the United States State
Department data, an estimated 600,000 to
820,000 men, women, and children are
trafficked across international borders each
year.

4. Approximately 70 percent are women and girls
and up to 50 percent are minors.

5. The total annual revenue for trafficking in
persons is estimated to be between $5 billion
and $9 billion.

7. What is “Sex trafficking”
• Sex trafficking can be defined as a form of sexual slavery in which a sex act
is forced by fraud or coercion
• Anyone can become a victim of sex trafficking, but it is often young
women and girls.
• There are several common themes to lure individuals into a life of
trafficking such as…
• A promise of a good job in another country
• A false marriage proposal turned into a bondage situation
• Being sold into the sex trade by parents, husbands, boyfriends
• Being kidnapped by traffickers
Often victims of sex trafficking are told they owe a debt due to their living
expenses and transport into their new country and they must “work off”
their debt.

8. Definition Arguments
• There are many arguments around trafficking and whether it can occur with or without
consent of the victim
• U.S. trafficking legislation which was passed in October 2000 includes a two-tiered definition
of trafficking that provides a range between aggravated or “severe” trafficking or trafficking
that has occurred without force or if force cannot be proven.
• ”Trafficking in persons’ shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by the
threat or use of force, by abduction, fraud, deception [inducement], coercion or the abuse of power, or by the giving or
receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose
of exploitation [irrespective of the consent of the person]; exploitation shall include, at a minimum, [the exploitation of
prostitution or other forms of sexual exploitation], forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery [or
servitude].”-Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons

9. Physical Complications
• Drug and alcohol addiction;
• Physical injuries such as broken bones, concussions, burns,
vaginal/anal tearings, traumatic brain
• injury (TBI) resulting in memory loss, dizziness, headaches,
numbness
• Sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea,
syphilis, UTIs, pubic lice
• Sterility
• Miscarriages
• Menstrual problems
• TB, hepatitis, malaria, pneumonia
• Forced or coerced abortions

10. Psychological Complications
• mind/body separation/disassociated ego states, shame, grief,
• fear, distrust, hatred of men, self-hatred, suicide, and suicidal
thoughts
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Acute anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Physical hyperalertness
• Self-loathing
• Victims may also suffer from traumatic bonding – a form of
coercive control in which the perpetrator instills in the victim fear
as well as gratitude for being allowed to live

11. Doesn’t this only happen in major cities?

12. The truth is…
Sex businesses exist in all areas- Internationally
trafficked women are reported to be present
in urban areas, suburban areas, rural areas,
and areas surrounding US Military bases.

13. Even in the Northeast.

14. Northeast Sex Trade Patterns
Sex industry in Boston and Rhode island are characterized by
– street prostitution
– escort services
– massage parlors
– rented houses and apartments used as brothels.
Legitimate businesses such as restaurants and bars are sometimes fronts for brothels, with
backrooms and sections used for prostitution.
“The Providence police have said that they have found women locked in a room at one massage
parlor.”-The Providence Journal 5/28/05
“The windows of the spas are often shuttered by blinds. The doors are locked. Customers are
buzzed inside. During raids of the spas, the police have found rooms for showers and
massages, where the women allegedly were bathing and then performing sex on the male
customers. The police have also found rooms of cots and small cooking facilities, where the
women appeared to be sleeping and eating.”- The Providence Journal 5/28/05

15. Northeast Sex Trade Patterns
Continued…
• Transient mobile operations
– “Maj. Stephen Campbell, commander of the Providence police investigative bureau, informed a rapt audience that there are about 75 to
100 South Korean women providing sexual gratification to men in “10 to 11 brothels” scattered across Providence.
Campbell said the women work, sleep and eat in the dingy massage parlors that are run from storefronts near the State House,
downtown and on South Main Street. “They work from the time they get up til the time they go to bed,” he said. “They don’t go home at
night.” Campbell said the women, mostly between the ages of 20 and 50, sleep on mattresses and cook from Sterno cans in the back rooms.
He said his detectives have tried to question the South Korean women who work in the local brothels, but their work is difficult because most
of the women don’t speak English, and, even if they do, they are reluctant to speak to a police officer.
Still, the investigators have gleaned some information. Campbell said many of the women come to Providence for a few
weeks or months, while others are here for just a weekend or a few days. Asked whether they know they are in Providence, the women
respond, “I don’t know what city I’m in.” Campbell said it’s also clear that there is a sophisticated network in place with
contacts that transports the women in vans to cities along the East Coast.”-The Providence Journal 11/29/2006
• Law enforcement officials and social service providers, researchers and
advocates cited the following trafficking patterns. In the Northeast,
women are moved within and outside the region between Massachusetts,
Delaware and Washington, and between Rhode Island
• If investigated or raided by authorities, they relocate to different
jurisdictions to avoid detection or repeat prosecution. Illegal prostitution
establishments operate under layers of deception so that it is often
difficult to determine who are the owners and operators.

16. Not in our neighborhood?
• Melanie Shapiro, spokeswoman for the Rhode
Island Coalition Against Human Trafficking,
said that not long ago Rhode Island had a
handful of brothels, and today there are 28.
• Rhode Island is among only three states
where there have been no federal
prosecutions for sex trafficking.
• “But in fact, said Wells, slavery is occurring now in neighborhoods around Rhode Island, in the form
of the forced prostitution of women and girls — some runaways, some brought here from other
countries. Their captors are attracted to Rhode Island, she said, because it is one of only two
states that consider prostitution legal, as long as it occurs indoors between consenting
adults.”-Providence Journal 10/26/2008

17. “Are you sure this exists in Rhode
Island”- Anonymous
November 1998 Providence, and Pawtucket, RI
Club Osaka- Sports Therapy
• Providence Police raid a brothel that had been disguised as a health club. The police arrest
seven people including the brothel owner and six young women, aged 24-35, from Southeast
Asia who were working as unpaid prostitutes in the club, known as Club Osaka. In interviews,
the women reveal that they were expected to pay $10,000 for transportation to the United
States. Local officials dropped charges and the case was adopted federally in 1999. In a
related case, Pawtucket police busted a similar operation, called Sports Therapy, arresting
four people on prostitution charges.

18. • “The word has gone out that Rhode Island is the place to come to to open
your brothel. We are rapidly becoming the sex trafficking capital of the
Northeast.”-Donna Hughes
• In Rhode Island, prostitution is allowed indoors.
• “Sumi Ray, 53, of 57 Brewster St., was charged with one count of violating
a state statute, by operating and managing a massage therapy
establishment while knowingly employing an unlicensed therapist and
allowing that unlicensed person to perform massage.”-Providence Journal
11/29/2006

19. They say it does not exist?
• “Went to Spa Midori and what a treat. Beautiful asian staff. They let you go down on them orally too. And are very friendly and cordial.
I like to go down on girls and all but it freaked me out after I did it. Hopefully no STDs on them! They treat you like a god, though. 60
dollars for the house fee and i tipped 150 for the fs. Very well worth it and I'll be back! (Review # 7349)”
• “ Oriental Gardens in Providence is a favorite of mine with reasonable prices (with coupon in Prov. Phoenix), and very friendly girls that
show respect and caring. I start with a hot steam-bath followed by the table shower, where you are bathed completely and erotically.
Then a sauna and trip to the massage room. The massage is professional, followed by sensuous hand-work and a very happy ending.
My favorites are Suzie and Nancy. They seem comfortable with a $50 tip. (Review # 12267)”
• “I have visited this AMP on a couple of different occasions. Downtown location pretty good hours. 6 house fee usually paid when you
get in. I always get the TS. Plenty of attention to all the right areas. Massage is pretty good on the flip is usually when they ask what
you want. FS has been provided on both my visits. First time everything was covered. Second time BBBJ was in the cards which kinda
surprised me. First time tip was 1. 20 second time different girl said it was 1. 60, but she didn't complain when I said I only had 1. 20 on
me. “
• “I went to RI today to go to dt when I arrived i found it closed. Looked like it's been closed for a while. (should have read the ri board
first) So I walked around the corner and went to bali day spa. I have never been there before but I was not prepared for any thing else.
Went in and was brought into my room by the mamasam, she left and "penny" came in took the .60 left & came back to take me to
the ts.I think I was the only customer there. Penny has a great set of tits with big nips & a nice ass for an asain. She was not the most
beautiful girl in the world but I was happy. Now as I said before I have never been here before so I did'nt know the deal. (fs or hj or
what) She asked if I have been here before and I told her no but I go to dt but they were closed.(She smiled) She did they ts very quick
but did hit the right spots. Back to the room (no sauna, did not even see one) she started the massage and had no massage skills at all
but rubbed all over me with her chest and crotch. After about 10 min she told me to flip, rubbed me for another 2 min and said
everything, more $$ I gave her the 1.40 I had ready for dt. She left and came back with a hat and we did reverse cowgirl with fia,
cowgirl, doggy then the finish with the bbbj col (cum on leg).”

20. Look across the street.
• “Went to Bali Day Spa yesterday
with a group of 5. It was my
bachelor party. The place is
squeaky clean, friendly ppl. I had
a blast there. I had 2 girls for 2hrs
=O. I would definetely
recommend this place. I've been
to apple spa health central but
this is way better. I am told that
they have new faces weekly. Go
check it out. You wont be
dissapointed. At least I'm not.
Cheers. 204 Westminster st,
providence”
-soju903, taken from
USAsexguide.com