Understanding the Role of Minor Offenders in Sex Trafficking Cases
Ezequiel Dominguez, MSW & Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, PhD, MSW | September 19 | 3:15-4:15 pm
Topic: Research, Legal | Knowledge Level: Beginner
Existing literature on sex trafficking in the United States has extensively discussed the varied profiles of traffickers. However, there is a lack of research on minors trafficking other minors. In this study, data was collected from a Las Vegas police department and 27 cases were found between January 11 to December 2021 where the sex trafficker was under the age of 18. This data was collected to address the following research questions: 1) What are the socio-demographic profiles of minors involved in sex trafficking as offenders, including their age, race/ethnicity, and gender? 2) Whom do minor offenders of sex trafficking typically target or traffic, and what are the characteristics of these victims? and 3) What are the primary methods used by minor offenders to recruit victims into sex trafficking? Results show limited variation in gender and race, and include how victims were identified by law enforcement, behaviors of the traffickers including how they were recruiting and trafficking their victims, the means of control employed by the minor offenders, and case outcomes including arrest information and dispositions. These findings urge action, especially involving schools and youth safety training. School staff can aid in prevention and intervention by recognizing trafficking signs, identifying at-risk students, and reporting suspicions properly. Collaboration between law enforcement, schools, social services, and communities is crucial. It ensures comprehensive support for victims and offenders, offering counseling, rehabilitation, and legal aid. Prevention efforts should educate on healthy relationships, online safety, critical thinking, and digital literacy to empower youth against exploitation.
Presentation Objectives:
• Discuss the background and gaps in existing literature regarding minors trafficking other minors in the context of sex trafficking in the U.S.
• Present the key findings from the study, including limited variations in gender and race among minor offenders, methods of victim identification by law enforcement, trafficker behaviors, means of control used, case outcomes, and implications for action, particularly involving schools and youth safety training