Lessons Learned: Benefits and Challenges of Anti-Sex Trafficking/Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Coalitions

• In Event: Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation: What Do We Know, What Should We Do?

Abstract

Community based responses in the form of interagency coalitions have developed throughout the United States to address the issue of sex trafficking. Yet, little work examines such coalitions, including their benefits, challenges, and utility in providing inter-organizational collaboration and accomplishing their goals. Drawing from inductive analysis of 24 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with coalition members representing 18 different organizations in one Midwestern city, findings suggest benefits included establishment of collaboration and referral networks, addressing gaps in services, increasing awareness and public support, and working to meet the myriad of needs of the affected service populations. Tensions revolved around conflicting viewpoints of commercial sex, and the inability of coalition members to address competing service populations engaged in commercial sex through trafficking, sex work, or commercial sexual exploitation. Such tensions at times resulted in stagnated coalition action. Challenges also involved competition over funding, funding restrictions, and altered funding streams that resulted in fragmentation. Implications and recommendations for coalitions to replicate benefits and to address tensions and challenges are provided, using a community action approach.

Authors

• Andrea Nichols, Washington University in St. Louis

• Lara Gerassi, Washington University in St. Louis