What Is Wrong with Us? The Growing Issue of Child Sex Trafficking Worldwide

Abstract

Sex trafficking of children and adolescents has been on the rise globally, particularly among the world’s most vulnerable individuals. These trafficked individuals, if they survive, are left with significant trauma, as well as severe mental and physical health issues and even disabilities. Approximately 80% of trafficked persons are women, and the average age of trafficking is in early adolescence. Sex trafficking of children and adolescents creates nearly irreparable harm and suffering for the individuals that survive, with very high rates of suicide and suicidal ideation resulting from their horrific abuse. Prevention and sexual abuse awareness are important for reducing the number of children and women that are trafficked. However, an even more effective tool is to address the buyer, or demand side, of the sex trafficking industry. Until the demand side and the buyers are sufficiently addressed, the industry will always exist because there is a demand to be met and a market for the services. This chapter explores the importance and critical necessity of addressing the poorly addressed issue of the buyer and the demand side of child sex trafficking.

1. Introduction

Without men’s demand for prostitute women, there would be no such women.

-Sven-Axel Månsson, Sweden, 2003.

Sex trafficking of minors is a growing concern worldwide, and is a result of the growing demand by male buyers for sex with minor age children. Sex trafficking is a form of extreme sexual violence. Sexual violence according to the World Health Organization refers to “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed, against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not limited to home and work” [1, 2]. This violence occurs through different forms including, coercion, social pressure, intimidation or by physical assault [1, 2].

2. Child sex trafficking

The United Nations defines human trafficking as, “The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons by means of 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 payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person for the purposes of exploitation” (Article 3, paragraph (a), [1, 2]). Sex trafficking currently impacts every nation on earth. The number of enslaved, sex trafficked children is now at epidemic levels and continues to rise and take new expressions and outlets. Globalization is considered one of the main culprits in the increase of sex trafficking. There are many factors that cause these increased levels such as an increased demand for commercial sex with minors, an increase in pornography addiction, and patriarchal cultural norms that protect buyers and traffickers and create demand. Also, mainstream platforms like Facebook, Uber, Lyft, Instagram, texting and other forms of social media are all major actors that support the trafficking industry. A majority of the sex trafficking of minors is ‘hidden in plain sight’ through mainstream social media, and the buyers can make these purchases even from their work computers and at their places of work [3].

It is estimated that approximately 95% of sex trafficking victims are trafficked at 12 or 13 years of age and the majority are female. Addressing child sexual abuse is a way to prevent and reduce sex trafficking. However, an even more effective way to stop sex trafficking is to address the demand side of the buyers. There are different aspects to the demand for victims of sex trafficking. The first concerns men who seek out victims for the purpose of purchasing sex acts. The second are those that profit from the sex industry such as traffickers, pimps, and corrupt officials that make a profit from supplying victims. The third aspect is a culture that normalizes demand for victim through social media normalization of prostitution, sex work and pornography. Cultural ideas that children and women are less valuable also contribute to the promotion and normalization of demand. These cultural ideas dismiss the victimization, force, fraud, coercion and abuse that these victims experience [4, 5].

In a Save the Children Swedish study called “The Client Goes Unnoticed,” an investigation was made on the factors that influence men to pay for sex with children and adolescents and what their perspective, feelings and thoughts were. Certain factors were identified including a permissive education where men were taught to have more freedom than women regarding decision-making power; an education where men expect to have no negative criticism of their sexual activity; experiencing pleasure from participating in a taboo activity through purchasing sex acts with children. In addition, these men reported that they used the purchase of sex with children as a method (1) to affirm their masculinity, (2) affirm and build their confidence on their ability to perform sexually, (3) to demonstrate power and control over someone in a submissive, weaker position, (4) to increase their self-esteem through the imbalanced power dynamic of an adult male with a child, (5) and to attain greater levels of pleasure by experimenting with children and their smaller size [4, 6].

This study highlighted the lack of empathy, dehumanization and disregard of victims, and self-focused mindset these men had. It demonstrated how these men were solely focused on what they wanted at the expense of the victims. This study identified that the root cause of child sex trafficking was the demand for it by the buyers. Essentially, it shows that the industry is created due to the growing demand by clients that specifically want the service of purchasing sex acts with children [4, 5].

3. Why is sex trafficking wrong?

Human sex trafficking exists in the vacuum of a market system where victims are treated as products to be used repeatedly, and are bought and sold as slaves. There are three aspects that allow the sex trafficking industry to flourish. These include the continual supply of individuals to be trafficked in vulnerable situations and countries, the endless demand for sex services, and the organized criminal networks that have infiltrated the industry. Supply refers to the availability of sex services. The traffickers are intermediary actors to supply the ‘product’ to meet the demand. The demand refers to the buyers of sex acts and their desire for a certain commodity. In the case of child sex trafficking, the desire is for sex acts with minor children [7, 8].

A study by Murat et al. [9], explored the long-term psychological consequences of sexual abuse and its related factors for children and adolescents. Sexual violence is an established risk factor for psychological issues that last into adulthood such as anxiety, depression, anger, PTSD, suicide attempts, low self-esteem, eating disorders, addictions, personality disorders, and numerous other psychological and physiological concerns [9]. Despite cultural norms in social media that may propagate certain ideas, the research that exists indicates that the vast majority of sex workers do not want to work in the sex industry and would leave if they could. A study in 1998 on sex industries in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand identified that 96% of surveyed sex workers would leave the industry if they could. They were trapped and unable to leave. A major international study of 854 individuals in prostitution over nine countries of Canada, Columbia, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, the United States and Zambia identified that 89% survey participants wanted to get out of prostitution [4, 6].

A study in 1995 of prostitutes in San Francisco found that out of 130 women, 88% want to leave sex work. Another study of law enforcement officials and social service workers found that 71-76% of respondents indicated that women in the fields of prostitution were not able to leave and were kept trapped and enslaved in sex work. The lines of distinction between sex workers that are trafficked or not trafficked are gray and go back and forth, but predominantly sex workers are trapped in their work. This enslavement has major implications. A study in Minnesota found that 46% of women in sex work had attempted suicide and 19% physically harmed themselves in ways such as cutting. Other studies have found that 65% of women in sex work had attempted suicide and 38% had attempted it multiple times [4, 6]. Essentially, sex trafficking is a form of sanctioned rape with an enslaved human being. It is comprised of non-consensual sex acts with victims, and results in severe psychological and physical harm as well as a great propensity towards suicide by the victims that have no way out, and no way to process the violence they have experienced.

The Council for Prostitution Alternatives in Portland, Oregon obtained information on violence experienced by 55 victim/survivors of prostitution. This survey found that 81% of women had experienced aggravated assault and had been brutally physically assault on average, 45 times a year. Furthermore, almost 80% had been raped by buyers on an average of 33 times a year. Nearly half of these women had experienced torture by men and/or victims of kidnapping/abduction an average of 5 times a year. Furthermore, the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault reported that approximately 60% of female prostitutes were victims of kidnapping largely by men that paid them for sex acts. Study after study demonstrated that a majority of respondents are victims of kidnapping, rape, severe physical assault, and other forms of violence [4, 10].

Some of the greatest crimes are perpetrated against prostitutes and the abuse committed against them. Another study done in the 1980s of 200 women and girls in the San Francisco, California region found that the vast majority were minors and under the age of 16 years. Also, 70% of them had been sexually assaulted an average of 31 times, as well as numerous accounts of physical abuse. When interviewed, the women and girls believed the men beat and raped them because the men enjoyed it, it helped to increase their sexual excitement and enjoyment, the men did not want or did not have the money to pay for the sex act, and/or that the men hated women. Approximately 75% of victims reported they could not protect themselves from the men’s abuse and there was nothing they could do to help themselves or change the situation [4, 6].

4. What is wrong with the buyers?

4.1 Patriarchal cultural norms

However, despite the overwhelming victimization experienced by prostitutes/sex trafficking victims, the men that are the buyers create the demand for the existence of the industry. These buyers are predominately men and have been essentially nameless and faceless and referred to as Johns. The cultural norm seems to absolve them of responsibility or accountability for creating the existence of the industry. Every dollar they spend on it in any form, is a vote for the sex trafficking industry to exist. Even if it is online and not in person for the purchasing of sex acts, they are contributing to its existence [4, 11].

4.2 Power, control and dehumanization

Research conducted on buyers is growing, but still limited. One study found that men who were aware they had purchased sex from trafficked women did not believe consent from the victim to be a concern. These buyers demonstrated a view that all women and girls in prostitution were objects or commodities to be purchased for a period of time, and did not see them as human beings the same as the buyer. Additionally, some men even preferred purchasing sex from a sex trafficked individual because they felt they would be treated better due to the power imbalance and the buyer’s ability to control them. These men also reported that they may have purchased sex from a trafficked individual even though they preferred a consenting individual, because it was cheaper [4, 11].

4.3 Violent and sadistic behavior

Research of men from India, Italy, Thailand and Japan demonstrated that more than 75% of men had a preference for women under 25 years of age and 22% preferred women under 18 years of age [4]. According to anti-trafficking laws, commercial sex with anyone under age 18 years is sex trafficking [4]. It has been identified that there does exist a category of men that prefer and seek out sex trafficking victims. According to Joe Parker, Clinical Director of the Lola Greene Baldwin Foundation, certain men seek victims to commit sadistic, violent sex acts towards them. An issue that is particularly underreported and under-identified is men’s acts of violence against sex workers and trafficking victims. The country of Cambodia for example, is particularly of concern for this. These men who buy sex and commit sadistic acts come from any age or socioeconomic level, any occupation, ethnicity and racial group [4, 11].

The research shows an association and relationship between men who purchase sex acts, and committing criminal acts of violence (including the use of weapons) against these women ‘they have paid for’ as well as sadistic acts they would not otherwise commit. Some of these women experience such severe violence that they become permanently disabled from the buyers’ abuse. It is unknown what portion of men that purchase sex acts also commit acts of violence against the women/children. However, it is established that violent perpetrators seek out prostitutes as they are a population that is devalued and violence tends to be acted on them without recourse or consequence. Men that purchase sex acts have a variety of motives and intentions. They are not all violent, but there is a group of men that are [4, 11].

4.4 Habitual buyers

The research identifies a subgroup of men that likely comprise the bulk of demand for commercial sex, and these are the habitual, regular users. Researcher Sven-Axel Mansson in Sweden identified two groups of buyers, the ‘occasional buyers’ versus ‘habitual buyers.’ The occasional buyers were categorized as men that had bought sex on approximately 2-4 occasions over their life span. The occasional buyers were much less likely to engage in acts of violence towards the prostitutes and more law abiding and sensitive to legal repercussions. The habitual buyers comprised the minority of buyers, however they made up the majority of purchases [4].

According to Mansson, these individuals suffer from severe mental illness, sexual addiction to pornography and prostitution, and suffer from financial, work, relationship and overall life functioning difficulty. The habitual buyers comprised the bulk of the violent abuser group, were not concerned about legal measures, and demonstrated anti-social behaviors and disregard for the law. The habitual buyers act out their own psychological problems on the prostitutes. Norwegian researchers identified that it was the habitual buyers that maintained the whole of the buyer side of the commercial sex industry. Therefore, intervention mechanisms that focus on these habitual buyers could potentially change the dynamic of the sex trafficking industry and the horrific abuse perpetrated against women and children by these habitual buyers [4].

In addition to this, the myths and stereotypes regarding the motivation and intentions of the buyers are largely inaccurate. It has been stereotypically believed that the buyers, and especially the habitual buyers are single, lonely men or men that have poor sexual relationships with their partners. The reason stereotypically for seeking out prostitutes was the idea it was fulfilling some unmet need for female sexual companionship. However, the research does not reflect this. In fact, in a survey of almost 500 men in Canada alone, it was found that the majority of the men who purchased sex acts had steady partners, were married, and had families. The great majority that did not yet have children, were planning to in the future [4].

4.5 Sex addiction

In further contrast to the myths, in a U.S. study, 80% of men that purchased sex acts reported that their marriage or committed relationship was sexually satisfying. Interestingly, a Swedish study identified that men that have had a lot of sexual partners were most likely to purchase sex acts and be habitual buyers. In addition, a majority surveyed in this study reported they were unsatisfied with buying sex acts and even though they were habitual buyers, they wanted to stop. The great majority did not enjoy sex with prostitutes, were trying to stop going and disapproving of their own behavior. Furthermore, it seems that the more a man purchased sex as a commodity, the more they viewed it as a commodity and this perpetrated the attitude of supporting violence against these women and increased the normalization of violent sexuality [4].

4.6 Severe mental illness

Sven-Axel Mansson found in his research that habitual sex buyers have psychological problems concerning their relationship and value to women [4]. Some of these include contempt for women, fear of women, feelings of inadequacy, viewing women as objects and commodities, desire for a disempowered woman and an unusual type of sex. The interactions with the prostitute help affirm these psychological belief systems and help the men to feel more in a state of power and control. Other factors that aggravate the desire to purchase sex acts include the use and persistent use of pornography. Repeated use of pornography helps to desensitize men to sexual violence, to dehumanize women, escalating the depravity that will sexually excite them and then to eventually begin in purchasing sex acts. The purchasing of sex acts is unsatisfying and then the cycle deepens and worsens by continuing a new level of sex addiction [4].

4.7 Overall summary

The greatest take-aways from the research point to the severe psychological disturbance of the men who purchase sex acts, and of particular concern are the habitual sex buyers. In a survey of psychological testing of 140 men that had purchased commercial sex, approximately 33% demonstrated considerable psychopathology and severe mental illness. These men also demonstrated delusional thoughts and beliefs regarding prostitutes that helped to support their behavior and dehumanization of the women. Educational interventions for men may prove effective to help curb the behavior and harmful belief systems [4].

A study of 1342 men that had purchased sex acts identified eight core issues of these men. These include (1) belief that prostitution causes no harm to anyone and is not wrong, (2) Self-centered, narcissistic beliefs regarding sexual relationships, (3) belief that prostitution benefits and is a rewarding job for women, (4) contempt for traditional relationships with women, (5) feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth with women, (6) belief it is the women’s fault when there is violence and they are responsible for it, not the perpetrator, (7) pleasure attained from sexual violence, (8) Sex is gained through violence, physical assault and threats [4].

5. Effective interventions with buyers

5.1 John schools

Another mechanism of importance is the initiative of what is referred to as John Schools. These are formal educational programs for purchasers of sex acts. In the United States and Canada, an increasing number of cities have used educational programs to help re-educate men that have been arrested for purchasing sex acts. The education centers around helping men to understand the damage and harm their conduct has on women, children, families and society. This education is also an attempt to help reconsider and question ideas these men have about buying commercial sex acts and the victims involved, as well as cultivate some semblance of empathy. In addition, the men are educated on their role in creating demand for the industry and that it exists because of them and other men like them [4].

What has been found it that these men that participate in the John Schools usually think sex trafficking is a victimless crime or that they (the Johns) are actually the victims by having to take the course and being arrested by police. Different approaches are taken to implement the curriculum including shaming, bringing in sex trafficking survivors to share their experiences, and appealing to the men’s narcissism and self-centeredness by helping them understand that it is against their self-interest to participate in purchasing sex acts, etc. The curriculum approach is partly based on the instructors as well as the men attending and their different attitudes and challenges. Another effective educational program is, The Sexual Exploitation Education Program (SEEP). It is one of the first effective programs to address the purchasers of commercial sex acts. However, it was considered controversial and created conflict where survivors of prostitution connected pornography, violence against women and rape to commercial sex acts. The program only last for 2 years and was terminated in February 1997 because of the conflict regarding male identity and violence against women [4].

5.2 First offender prostitution program

Another educational program that has been positive is the First Offender Prostitution Program that was created in San Francisco, California. It aims to educate men that have been arrested for the first time for purchasing sex acts. The education provides information on the negative impacts of prostitution on communities as well as the survivor testimonies and education on sex addiction. It has received awards and recognition for its success and won the Innovations in American Government Award as well as many other awards. This program has been replicated and implemented throughout the United States and Canada for first offenders of sex act purchases. There have also been psychoeducation programs such as Project Pathfinder in the United States to help men through psychological testing and psychological education that have been arrested for purchasing sex acts. There are an increasing number of education initiatives and programs for men that have been arrested for purchasing sex acts. This education also helps these men to understand if they have a sex addiction and many find that they do have a sex addiction that has gone untreated after completing the educational programs [4].

The First Offender Prostitution Program in San Francisco found that the program had a positive impact. In a survey of 747 participants that had completed the program, 100% had learned new information and 97% reported it was unlikely or highly unlikely they would purchase sex again in the future and rated the effectiveness as a 4.48/5. However, these evaluations were also taken upon completion of the program. It is important to also have follow-up evaluations to ascertain the longer-term effectiveness and sustainability [4].

These educational programs are impactful however, the great and overwhelming majority of men that engage in child sexual abuse and child sex trafficking are never arrested and behave behind anonymity. Other methods to address the issue of buyers are greater community and public education on the buyer issue. In addition, judges can order stay-away orders for purchasers of sex acts to stay away from purchasing sex acts under order of incarceration for not abiding by it; driver’s licenses can be revoked as a penalty of purchasing sex acts, postcard warnings can be sent to homes through public health initiatives to educate on the sex trafficking of children. Other ways of addressing the issue of buyers and demand are to publish the names of men that have purchased sex acts on billboards. A project titled “Spotlight on Prostitution” in Omaha, Nebraska displayed billboards with the names of men that were convicted of purchasing sex acts and this proved to be a positive deterrent [4, 12].

Other effective initiatives include completion of formal counseling programs for men that have purchased sex acts or have forms of sex addiction. The Salvation Army’s Wellspring Center provides an individually based, 8-week counseling program through lawyer referrals for men that have been arrested for purchasing sex acts. The program entails a significant amount of client education regarding prostitution and challenges the men’s preconceived notions that the women engage in prostitution because they like it and it is a choice and that it is a victimless crime [4].

5.3 Swedish case study

Sweden is a unique case study in addressing the issue of child sex trafficking and child sexual abuse through commercial sex acts. Sweden is the first country worldwide to pass a law that criminalizes the buyers for purchasing sex acts. In 1998, the “Act Prohibiting the Purchase of Sexual Services” was passed. This law makes it illegal to buy sex, but not sell one’s body for these services [13]. The aim of this law is to punish and deter buyers but not penalize women in the system that may be trafficked. It is part of a larger initiative to counteract violence against women and promote gender equality. This law is also gender neutral. It was revolutionary in its definition of prostitution as a type of male violence against women and a human rights offense. Sweden is the most progressive country in the world on this matter as it views prostitution as a way to oppress and degrade women. Furthermore, approximately 80% of their population agrees with this law. This law has resulted in numerous prosecutions and convictions every year, as well as a major decrease in women and children in prostitution, and also the number of men who participate in commercial sex acts. In addition to this, Sweden has experienced a significant drop in its criminal activity with pimps and traffickers as Sweden is no longer viewed as a good market economy to sell sex [4].

Since this law has passed, the recruitment of new individuals into sex work has almost stopped. To date, this is the most significant and effective intervention to curb sex trafficking of children in the world. The average age someone is recruited into prostitution is approximately 14 years old and the average age of the buyers is approximately 44 years [13, 14]. However, the effectiveness of the law is ultimately due to the attitudes of local police force leadership. Although 80% of the population supports it, the local police are needed to implement it [13]. As in a majority of the world, Sweden’s police force has a largely conversative, male and homosocial culture. Initially there was resistance and criticism by Swedish police for implementing the law. However, education regarding prostitution and trafficking in human beings was implemented for the police to specifically help them understand the law and its potential to reduce or even eliminate child sex trafficking. Since the police education programs were implemented, the criticism and resistance towards the law from police have stopped [13, 15].

The law and the re-education of the police and police support has been astoundingly successful compared to other child sex trafficking initiatives in the world. A year after the first cohort of police completed the education program there was a 300% increase in arrests due to the changed attitudes and understanding regarding trafficking and victims of trafficking and their buyers. In addition to this, all Swedish laws are applicable to Swedish citizens even when they are out of the country. This is critical because there is also a growing problem of child sex tourism that exists where men travel to regions with vulnerable situations. However, incredibly since this law was enacted there has been no increase in the Swedish men that travel abroad as sex tourists. Due to fear of arrest, the activity engaged in by these men has significantly decreased [13, 15].

Another effective measure in addition to the new law and the police force education is a national awareness campaign against trafficking of persons, and particularly of women and children that was enacted in Sweden in 2002 and 2003. This initiative provided education and poster campaigns about victims of prostitution and trafficking to government and public authorities, NGOs, the general public and media, as well as potential sex buyers. Since this law has been enacted a significant number of women have been able to leave the sex work industry entirely. It has brought successful prosecutions not only for the purchase of sexual services but also for other crimes includes child sexual abuse, rape and physical assault. Other countries are using Sweden as an example and model to follow in the issue of sex trafficking. Countries such as South Africa, Venezuela, Lithuania and Estonia are using Sweden’s example to try to improve these issues in their own countries [13].

6. Conclusion

This perspective chapter discusses the necessity of addressing the buyer and demand side of the sex trafficking of children. The trafficking and prostitution of women and children is among the fastest growing industries worldwide. It is growing more rapidly than either the drug or arms trafficking industries. It has seen a significant increase in recent decades with the rise of globalization and normalization of prostitution for sexual entertainment [13]. As long as there is a demand, an industry will exist. By addressing and reducing demand, we reduce and eventually eradicate the industry. The evidence overwhelming demonstrates that maintaining anonymity and lack of accountability around this issue only strengthens and deepens demand and helps the industry to grow. With the growing level and sophistication of international criminal activity around sex trafficking worldwide, a new approach is needed that seriously addresses the demand side and the role of the buyer. As long as demand exists, there will be an industry that abuses and enslaves children [4].

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge Happiness Learned, LLC, F.A.I.R. Girls, Project Concern International and Suncoast Center for your invaluable contributions to this chapter.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Thanks

Thank you to both Happiness Learned, LLC, F.A.I.R. Girls, Project Concern International and Suncoast Center for your invaluable contributions to this chapter.