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Abstract: 

Sex trafficking involves three parties: the trafficker who organizes the movement of abducted, coerced, or exploited persons; the individual (almost always female) who is trafficked; and the “customer” who pays for sex. Yet, law enforcement have typically viewed “johns” as something other than perpetrators and they have dealt with traffickers as members of organized crime but not as sex offenders. A better understanding of the roles of the parties has led to an emphasis on their contribution to these sex crimes and a de-emphasis on prostitutes and other exploited persons, who are viewed as victims.

Keywords: Trafficking Victims Protection Act

Affiliations:  1: John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Fordham Law School.