Exploring Non-Fatal Strangulation in Sex Trafficking: Cases from Las Vegas
Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, MSW, PhD & Elynne Greene, MA | September 22 | 1:45-2:45 PM
Topic: Research, Law Enforcement | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Over the past 20 years, there has been increased attention on the involvement of strangulation within interpersonal violence and sexual violence situations from law enforcement and medical professionals as the prevalence, lethality, and near invisibility of the evidence has emerged. Little research has been done to explore the use of strangulation by sex traffickers. From a nine-year study of 725 police records in Las Vegas, 118 (16.3%) reported experiencing strangulation during their sex trafficking victimization. Non-fatal strangulation was more often reported by adult victims when compared to minor victims. Victims who reported non-fatal strangulation were more likely reported along with experiencing kidnapping, their sex trafficker had a weapon, and were more likely to report having been recruited through romance. The implications of this study are critically important to how society views sex trafficking victims and their forced criminal behavior.
Presentation Objectives:
· Provide an overview of non-fatal strangulation in interpersonal violence relationships
· Provide an overview of the study, including research questions, methodology, and findings
· Discuss how this information can be used by practitioners, law enforcement, and prosecutors