Exploring the relationship between domestic minor sex trafficking myths, victim identification, and service provision

Authors: Gonzalez-Pons, Kwynn; Gezinski, Lindsay; Morzenti, Hanna; Hendrix, Elizabeth & Graves, Shelby

Abstract: The onus of sex trafficking victim identification currently falls to professionals in youth-serving organizations. Accurate identification of domestic minor sex trafficking victims (DMST) and subsequent delivery of services can be impeded by common myths related to human trafficking. The objective was to determine if human service professionals understand the difference between myths and facts pertaining to sex trafficking and if their knowledge affects subsequent service provision. Participants included professionals (n = 69) represented youth-serving organizations from a large metropolitan city in the Southwestern United States. Data was collected in a cross-sectional survey from March 2016 to April 2016. A minority of professionals working in youth-serving organizations believed DMST myths, though administrators most commonly believed the myth that force, fraud, or coercion are required in DMST. Most professionals could not provide an accurate number of victims identified and felt their organizations would benefit from further training. A statistically significant relationship (p < .05) was observed between the belief that “elements of physical force, restraint, bondage, and/or violence” must be present in DMST and participants’ ability to identify victims served by their organizations in a given year. Organizations reported that they failed to provide services requested by DMST victims. The persistence of DMST myths likely hampers victim identification and tailored service delivery. Cross-sector collaborations are needed to ensure victims’ needs are met. Trainings are needed that cover the legal definitions of domestic minor sex trafficking and victim identification and train on accurate identifiers. Training initiatives should include survivors to ensure practices are trauma-informed.

Keywords: human trafficking, domestic minor sex trafficking, victim identification, service delivery