Child Sex Trafficking in the United States

Abstract

This research paper reviews the background factors surrounding child sex trafficking for the intention of prostitution. It also scrutinizes possible moral issues which crop up from research to protect the mental and physical welfare of such children. It is not the aim of this paper to provide an ethically sound perspective, but to explore how the situation of child trafficking for sexual purposes stands in the United States. This research is also being undertaken with the hope that a fully developed approach towards anti-trafficking policies and laws as well as an improved provision for appropriate services is designed and incorporated into state, national and international level policies. Thus, there is a need for serious reconsideration of standing laws on such victims.

Table of Contents

Introduction3

The Department of Justice (US)3

Trafficking Victims Protection Act4

William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection5

The Rebecca Project for Human Rights6

How Technology Has Spurred Child Trafficking6

Conclusion7

Works Cited8

Appendices9

Thesis Statement: Child Sex Trafficking in the United States

Introduction

There are thousands upon thousands of young American children, especially girls who are being ensnared in the various trafficking chains operating in the United States. It seems to be a problem associated with only third world countries, which is not true. Child sex trafficking has almost become an 'epidemic' in the United States today (See Appendices 1).

The famous celebrity couple, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher have shaped a foundation with the purpose of raising awareness about sex slavery in the U.S., and worldwide. According to Miss Moore, "I think many Americans are more willing to accept that there are girls enslaved in Cambodia or Delhi, and really can't imagine that it's happening right here....as a society, we owe it to them to ensure this doesn't happen to anyone else" (Sanner, p.n.d)

According to Estes and Weiner in 2001, between 244,000 and 325,000 children residing in the U.S. are in danger of being sexually exploited, and almost 199,000 are exploited sexually every year (Sherman et al, p 334). However, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact number of children in such danger, as there is no common database which records these incidents, the closest to an estimation that we can come to is to keep re-assessing the number of children who are reported missing.

The Department of Justice (US)

The United States Department of Justice's approximation of children who are at risk of sexual exploitation for commercial purposes is more than 250,000, and young girls aged twelve and above are the primary targets of organized criminal groups (Whittaker, p.n.d). Girls who are smuggled into the United States for the same purposes from other nations range between 14,500 to 17,500 annually according to the state department.

By the United States law, human traffickers are sentenced to life imprisonment if caught and convicted. However, many of them never are as they use the corrupt system of governance to build a strong network for their protection. Nonetheless, officials working for the government claim that the central problem is a lack of coordination between the various local, state ...