What’s in a Name? Benefits and Challenges of Anti-Trafficking Language in Social Service Provider Perspective

Authors: Nichols, Andrea; Gerassi, Lara & Snider, Kelly

Abstract: The language used to address service populations involved in commercial sex is laden with meaning that impacts understandings of and responses to the issue. While debates over use of the terms sex trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, sex work, and modern-day slavery are well established in the academic literature, relatively little of this work is derived from original research examining the perceptions and experiences of social service providers. Drawing from 21 interviews with social service providers working with populations involved in commercial sex in an urban Midwestern city, this study aims to examine social service providers’ preferred use of terms in relationship to their work. This analysis concludes by offering recommendations for ways to best use language in social service provision in outreach, education, and awareness materials, to benefit those who have been trafficked, commercially sexually exploited, or are otherwise involved in the commercial sex industry.

Keywords: anti-trafficking coalitions, commercial sexual exploitation, human trafficking, sex work