Sex Trafficking Prevention Strategies

Sex trafficking is a type of commercial sexual exploitation where a third person, often referred to as a trafficker, arranges or profits from the exploitation. Sex trafficking is a multifaceted issue that intersects with multiple other forms of victimization including child abuse/assault, intimate partner violence, sexual violence. Traffickers typically exploit the needs of potential victims including housing, economic, and emotional needs.

Prevention strategies must address the range of perpetration and victim vulnerabilities, and be coordinated across local agencies and institutions. Prevention efforts aim to stop the causes of sex trafficking and prevent both perpetration and victimization. Some prevention efforts specifically aim to identify traffickers or potential buyers and prevent further victimization. The following strategies represent larger categories of sex trafficking prevention.