Abstract
ABSTRACT While female victims of sex trafficking continue to face criminal indictments in sex trafficking prosecutions, the extent of the problem and an understanding of the victims it disproportionately impacts is unclear. This study investigates the extent to which victims of trafficking are prosecuted in sex trafficking cases, and what defendant-, victim-, and trafficking-related patterns predict who is likely to be a victim. We begin by presenting the T.R.A.P. Typology of female defendants in sex trafficking prosecutions which places female defendants in types based on whether they have a trafficker, recruit victims, perform administrative functions, and engage in prostitution. The T.R.A.P. Typology yields five groups: manager, bottom, associate, partner, or CEO. Using federal prosecutions data, we categorized 399 female defendants using this typology to systematically determine their victim versus offender status and its predictors. Significant patterns emerge. Victims (the combined manager and bottom ideal types) constitute 53% of defendants and are younger, more likely to be white or black, and are involved with sex trafficking organizations that are most likely to traffick adult, American women via online and outdoor solicitation. The results have implications for victim-centered criminal justice responses and offer empirical support for various policy reforms.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call