Raising Awareness of and Improving Responses to Sex Trafficking Victims: It’s Déjà vu All Over Again

• In Event: Human Trafficking Practice and Research: Lessons from Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Abstract

Comparisons of human trafficking victims, particularly sex trafficking victims, with victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault are not uncommon, particularly among service providers. This paper discusses some of the “lessons learned” from four decades of research and practice with IPV and sexual assault victims as well as the anti-violence against women movement that may be applied to current efforts to raise awareness of and improve responses to sex trafficking victims. Such topics as the “worthy victim” and the notion that “it can happen to anyone” are examined in the context of extant empirical research and their implications for informing the research and practice agendas are explored.

Author

• Claire M. Renzetti, University of Kentucky