Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: A Network of Underground Players in the Midwest

Authors: Williamson, Celia & Prior, Michael

Abstract: Trafficking of domestically born children in the United States into the sex trade has been recognized by the U.S. government under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2005. The Midwest has been exposed as a recruitment site for traffickers. Children who have been trafficked into prostitution often experience mental health problems, suffer physical and sexual assaults, have low self-esteem, and are put at risk for HIV/ AIDS and other health problems. This article is based on qualitative interviews with 13 trafficked children from the Midwest. Findings reveal the experiences of victims and the network of players involved in trafficking in the Midwest.

Keywords: trafficking, prostitution, human trafficking, sex trafficking, child prostitution, pimps, traffickers, domestic trafficking