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Sex Trafficking in the United States: An Exploratory Study of the Experiences of International and Domestic Women Working in the Sex Industry in the U.S.

Hernandez, Carolina
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1404743507

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ), Bowling Green State University, Criminal Justice.
Though human trafficking consists of many forms of exploitation, the sex industry comprises of the largest group of victims. While the topic of sex trafficking has received much attention internationally, this form of exploitation has recently gained attention in the United States. The United States is a transit nation to which sex trafficking victims are being brought to work. The United States is also being affected by the recruitment of victims into this underground market. Utilizing secondary data from the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), this current study explores sex trafficking in the United States, using interviews with sex trafficking victims. Analyses focused on the characteristics of this victim population, recruitment, consequences of involvement, and coping. Results demonstrate that the majority of women became involved in the sex industry at a relatively young age and had been recruited by someone they knew or someone who they believed loved them. These women came from physically and sexually abusive backgrounds which contributed to the control their traffickers were able to have over them once involved in the industry. As a result of their exploitation, women suffered from significant mental health issues. The stories of trafficking victims help shed light on the importance of highlighting the voice of the victim. Finally, this research has implications for prevention programs and services for victims.
Christine Englebrecht, Dr. (Advisor)
Michael Buerger, Dr. (Committee Member)
72 p.
Behavioral Sciences; Social Work
sex trafficking; international and domestic sex industry; sexual exploitation; forced prostitution

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hernandez, C. (2014). Sex Trafficking in the United States: An Exploratory Study of the Experiences of International and Domestic Women Working in the Sex Industry in the U.S. [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1404743507

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hernandez, Carolina. Sex Trafficking in the United States: An Exploratory Study of the Experiences of International and Domestic Women Working in the Sex Industry in the U.S. 2014. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1404743507.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hernandez, Carolina. "Sex Trafficking in the United States: An Exploratory Study of the Experiences of International and Domestic Women Working in the Sex Industry in the U.S." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1404743507

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1404743507
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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.