Understanding the Commercial Sex Market in New York City

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

In recent years there have been a number of novel interventions and alternative criminal justice responses to prostitution and human trafficking in New York City and nationally. Surprisingly, however, there has been limited rigorous empirical work done on the varied populations involved in sex work in the city. This study fills that gap by investigating the lives and experiences of adults who exchange sex for money, housing, drugs, or other needs. Using respondent-driven sampling and participatory research methodologies, our research team interviewed over 300 people who trade sex in NYC. Through in-depth interviews, we sought to better understand the life histories, social networks and relationships, sex work experiences, interactions with law enforcement, and human trafficking rates of those who trade sex. This panel provides insight into this invisible community and reviews findings that provide an evidence-based foundation for policies and interventions that can better serve sex worker populations.

Sub Unit

• Area IV: Correlates of Crime / 15: Poverty and Structural Inequalities

Individual Presentations

• The NYC Commercial Sex Market: The Life Histories of Adults Who Trade Sex - Elise White, Center for Court Innovation

• Sex Trafficking: Towards a Social and Economic Justice Approach - Janell Johnson-Dash, Center for Court Innovation; Rachel Swaner, Center for Court Innovation

• Police Violence and Transgender Women Who Trade Sex - Elias Rivera, Center for Court Innovation

Chair

• Rachel Swaner, Center for Court Innovation