IT’S ALL AROUND US
Sex trafficking is the crime of using force, fraud, or coercion to induce another individual to sell sex. Common types include escort services, pornography, illicit massage businesses, brothels, and outdoor solicitation. The one exception involves minors and commercial sex. Inducing a minor into commercial sex is considered human trafficking regardless of the presence of force, fraud, or coercion.
WHAT IS SEX TRAFFICKING?
Sex trafficking is any sex act done in exchange for any item of value, where a third party is profiting off of the exchange. When a person is over 18 force, fraud or coercion must also be present. If a person is under 18 they cannot legally consent and therefore it is automatically sex trafficking.

The term “trafficking” can bring to mind the idea that transportation or movement across borders is required – IT IS NOT. Transporting a person for the purpose of commercial sex is just one type of trafficking; however, a person can be trafficked in their own community or their own home.
A trafficker can be a third party such as a pimp, but they can also be the buyers themselves. Anyone who allows trafficking to happen can be charged with trafficking as well (giving a victim a ride, checking them into a hotel room, etc.)
Sex trafficking is just one form of commercial sexual exploitation. Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) encompasses ALL forms of commercial sex and acknowledges the inherently exploitive nature of the commercial sex trade regardless of state or federal statutes on trafficking.
Sex trafficking can happen to anyone but some people are more vulnerable than others. Significant risk factors include recent migration or relocation, substance use, mental health concerns, involvement with the child welfare system, and being a runaway or homeless youth. Often, traffickers identify and leverage their victims’ vulnerabilities in order to create dependency.
Some types of sex trafficking are:
WHERE TO LEARN MORE
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”