ABSTRACT
Case Study 1 Ashley K. is 11 years old and loves to draw pictures of animals. She lives with her mother, who is addicted to methamphetamines. Ashley’s mother frequently brings unknown men into their home, and Ashley has been “woken up” by many of these men in the middle of the night. One autumn evening, Ashley is sitting outside of a pizza place in her neighborhood while her mom “entertains a friend.” Ashley is gripping her empty stomach and shivering from the cool of the evening, when Ronnie J. approaches her and asks her if she would like a slice of pizza. Ronnie is a charming 31-year-old man, who seems to show genuine care for Ashley’s well-being. Ashley cautiously accepts Ronnie’s offer of pizza, and they chat about animals while she eats her pizza. Once Ashley is finished eating, Ronnie smiles at her, tells her he will see her around the neighborhood, and then he leaves. About a week later, Ashley sees Ronnie again. They share another slice of pizza and some laughs. For the next several months, Ronnie makes frequent visits to Ashley’s neighborhood in an effort to gain her trust. By the end of the summer, Ashley has had enough of living with her mother and confides in Ronnie that she wishes she could just get away from it all. When Ronnie offers to let Ashley stay with him and his “cousin,” Lorena S., Ashley quickly goes home and packs a bag. She lives with Ronnie and Lorena for a few weeks when Ronnie starts to become physically affectionate with Ashley. She has never known a father figure and welcomes the attention, although it made her uncomfortable at first. The physical affection soon becomes sexual, and Ashley is sure she and Ronnie are in love. Ronnie tells Ashley she could really help him out with the finances if she would go on a couple of “dates” with some of his “friends.” Ashley doesn’t
What Is Human Trafficking? 91 History of Sex Trafficking in the United States 91 Smuggling versus Human Trafficking 92 Types of Sex Trafficking Networks 92
Who Are the Victims-Turned-Offenders? 93 Who Are the Traffickers? 94 Barriers to Victim Self-Identification 94
Current State and Response through Policy 96 Emergence of International Policies 96 Contemporary Legislation and Laws 98
Summary 99 Discussion Questions 100 References 100
like the thought of it, but obliges, feeling it is the least she can do for the man who saved her from her mother’s house. After a few months of dating Ronnie’s friends, Lorena tells Ashley that she has a really great opportunity for Ashley to bring big cash into the family. Lorena introduces Ashley to a very classy woman named, Giselle M. Giselle gives Lorena a nod of approval, and Lorena excitedly tells Ashley she has “landed the big job.” After a big hug, Lorena tells Ashley that Ronnie will be so proud of her and they will see her later. Giselle takes Ashley to an apartment where there are about 20 other girls. It’s not long before Giselle orders Ashley to get “prepped.” Ashley gets her hair cut, nails done, and a new outfit. After getting fully prepped, Ashley is put on a private jet and flown to a secluded island in the Caribbean. Ashley and a couple of the other girls cannot believe they get to go on a trip to the Caribbean! The jet lands on the island, and they are taken by bus to an unbelievable mansion. The girls are giddy with excitement, but among their giddiness is an undercurrent of nervousness and anxiety. Ashley is scared, but calms herself when she thinks about how proud Ronnie must be of her now. When the girls arrive at the mansion, they are greeted by one of Giselle’s friends, Cari J. Cari tells the girls the “rules” of the job-and the bottom line is-smile, do not get too drunk, and do as the client requests. Ashley and another young girl, Ratana P. (but she is known as “Crystal”), are told they will be giving a massage to the man who owns the island-someone by the name of Jeffery Epstein.*
America’s Emancipation Proclamation of 1862 is a historical example of the tragic truth that people seek profit from the control and exploitation of others. President Lincoln’s declarations were not the first-nor would they be the last-to vehemently denounce the use of human beings as slaves for any purpose at all. Notwithstanding any public denouncements, the truth is that, from time to time and place to place, people from various parts of the globe have been viewed as insignificant “others” who are, for a variety of cultural, social, or political reasons, more likely to be abused, exploited, and isolated from larger society. Fortunately, time has brought about significant progression of thought, and such views have been exposed as morally reprehensible and punishable under the laws of many nation-states across the globe for years. Particularly, in terms of sexual exploitation, the message has been clear: No human being, adult or child, man or woman, should be subjected to abuse of any form and the vices of others. Despite the bravado generated by key domestic and international policy makers on the prevention and punishment of sexual victimization, and particularly, violence against women, sex trafficking has become a significant and growing problem in the United States and internationally in recent years (Deshpande & Nauer, 2013).
