1. SEX TRAFFICKING: AN INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1

2. What is Human Trafficking?
The U.N. Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, commonly referred to as the Palermo Protocol, Article 3 paragraph (a), defines human trafficking as:
“the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of 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. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs…”
This definition includes multiple types of human trafficking, including sex trafficking

3. Look closely at the phrasing.
“…abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability…” and “at a minimum” have resulted in contentious debates.
Can you guess why?
The U.N. definition is voluntary international legislation, intended to be used as a guide for nations to develop their own legislation
(More on that in Chapter 9…)

4. U.S. TVPA
The United States developed the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) in the same year as the Palermo Protocol. According to the TVPA, a severe form of trafficking is currently defined as:
“a) A commercial sex act induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or
b) the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery (TVPA, Section 103, 8a and 8b).”

5. Question
What are some limitations to the definition of sex trafficking in the United States?

6. Common Misconceptions
Smuggling
Migration
Sex Trafficking
A majority of sex trafficking in the U.S. is domestic
Movement is not required

7. Common Misconceptions
Physical restraint is uncommon
Abduction and kidnapping are also uncommon, and compose a minority of cases
A majority of cases involve psychological bonds or other bonds (more on that in chapter 5…)

8. Common Misconceptions
Continuum of Choice, Victimization, and Agency
Victimization   Agency
Sex Trafficking
Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Sex Work

9. Continuum of Choice, Victimization, and Agency
Sex Trafficking
Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Sex Work
These are overlapping and fluid categories
Agency and victimization are present in varying levels along the continuum

10. Prevalence Prosecution rates Arrest rates Social Services data
Researchers
Methodological/Definitional Challenges
*Prevalence remains unclear

11. Supply, Demand, and Profitability
Supply/Demand perspective
Salary varies with size and nature of operation
Risk is somewhat mitigated

12. Discussion Questions
1. What are the distinctions between smuggling, migration, and trafficking? In what ways may they be interrelated? Include dynamics of consent, legality, and movement.
2. Where do we get our information about sex trafficking from? What are some challenges to estimating sex trafficking prevalence based upon these sources?
3. Is the information in this chapter consistent with what you thought you knew about sex trafficking? Why or why not?
4. How does our media impact our perceptions of sex trafficking?