Global Vice to Local Girls: Perceptions of Sex Trafficking Among the Public

• In Event: Sexual Offending: Perceptions of Victims and Consequences for Offenders

Abstract

Over the past 20 years the definition and perception of sex trafficking has changed, as has the justice system’s response to it. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and its subsequent reauthorizations, have expanded the protections and rights of individuals who have been trafficked, along with expanding the definition of what trafficking is. With these changes there has been a corresponding change to the response from law enforcement as well. However, while the policing response has changed to reflect trafficking today, what of the public’s perception of trafficking? Popular movies such as Taken, or trending news stories are often the only exposure the public gets for this topic. If this is what they are basing their perception on, would the public be able to identify trafficking if they saw it? This study examines the public’s perception of sex trafficking from a global to local scale though a survey administered to the faculty, staff, and students at a Midwestern university.

Authors

• A Davies Robinson, University of Mount Union

• Joan Tollivar, University of Mount Union

• Morgan Cmunt, University of Mount Union

• Lisa Dalman, University of Mount Union