Introduction
Sex trafficking is a type of crime grouped under human trafficking whereby the minors, for instance, children are subjected to sexual slavery in coercion, fraud and forceful manner. The United States Law considers any person under the age of 18 as being a victim of sex trafficking. Sex trafficking takes in three steps, and this includes, the minors are first acquired, and then they are transported to the desired location, the last level the exploitation of the victims (Bishop 121). The form of exploitation in sex trafficking includes Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) and Child Sex Tourism (CTS). Sex trafficking forms part of major crime commercialised in New York. In New York, sex trafficking occurs during the day and night time at peoples watch. Thus, the growing influence of sex trafficking in New York has triggered the formation of organisations and constant protest to an end of the act. Also, New York City’s JFK airport has attracted a massive number of trafficked sex minors in the United States. NYC has foreign visitors, who pay a considerable amount just to acquire the services of the minors.
Moreover, New York has a large population that is diversified and leading to a higher chance of sex trafficking crimes not to be noticed. Sex trafficking in New York constitutes a large number of victims, businesses and people, and this has led to the law enforcement failing to recognise the presence of the act in the state. The perpetrator has mastered the act of the game, leading to increasing cases of sex trafficking in New York. Moreover, the large population creates difficulty in the calculation of the statistics and facts by the International Labour Organization on sex trafficking in New York (Nichols 80). The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been vocal in the attempt to end sex trafficking in New York.
Organisations that fight sex trafficking in New York
New York State Anti-Trafficking Coalition
The growing influence of sex trafficking has led to the formation of the New York State Anti-Trafficking Coalition that encompasses several organisations. The organisation tasked with enacting law enforcement, passing laws that protect the minors, and creating awareness to the New York residence. Moreover, the organisations serve the purpose of protecting and providing services to sex trafficking victims (Bishop 123). The New York State Anti-Trafficking Coalition in partnership with the Sanctuary for Families have successfully constructed billboards in New York that serves the purpose of informing and warning individuals that engage in sex trafficking.
Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS)
A non-profit organisation that has been vocal in the enacted of a bill that will treat girls arrested of being involved in sex trafficking acts as victims rather than accomplishers. Also, the organisation advocates for women rights in New York and providing financial services to minors (Nichols 71). The organisation effort led to the acceptance of the Safe Harbor Act for Sexually Exploited victims, and since then, there has been a significant reduction in sex trafficking cases.
Laws that govern sex trafficking in New York
Sex trafficking in New York has raised concern by the Legislation body, and in 2007, New York State Anti-trafficking Law was enacted to gives services and benefits to minors. The law recognises sex trafficking as a crime and individual engagement in the act attracts a maximum of 25 years imprisonment. Moreover, in 2008 the legislation created the New York State Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Act tasked to provide children protection in New York (Bishop 131). The act recognises children below the age of 17 be charged under the family courts with the belief that the juvenile courts do not have requirements to take part in charging sexual acts. Also, in 2018, the legislation formed the New York Passed Harsher Sex Trafficking laws as an upgrade of the Child Sex Trafficking Law which was viewed by the population as being weak. The bills have been vocal in arresting the perpetrators and curbing the increasing spread of sex trafficking in New York.
New York City Demographics Sex Trafficking
New York City houses more than 8 million people, thus encouraging sex trafficking acts. The population is composed of people from different cultures and the presence of a tourist who takes a massive part in promoting sex trafficking. According to the CCI/John Jay report carried out in 2009, it is evident that sex trafficking is triggered by the origin of the perpetrators, ethnicity, gender, education, age of first involvement, the role of pimps, and economics (Bishop 135).
Origin
The CCI/John Jay report indicates that victims subjected to sex trafficking, 71% are born in New York City and its environs. A population of 55.8% is in Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Manhattan. Higher populations of the girls are of New York City as opposed to the males (Nichols 67). The girls depict 69% to residing in Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Manhattan. Thus, ladies are more subjected to sex trafficking than men.
Ethnicity
New York has a population of whites as 33% while the rest of the population is the racial minority. The rest of the population that constitutes 76% harbours African-Americans who experience the highest incidences of sex trafficking (Roby et al. 207). Thus, it is evident that ethnicity plays a vital role in the rising cases of sex trafficking.
Gender
The report indicates that sex trafficking occurs across the gender with the inclusion of transgender. Distribution of the overall population suggests that out of 100% affected by the sex trafficking in New York City, 8% constitutes the transgender, 45% represents the boys and 47% represents the girls (Roby et al. 205). Thus, it is the role of the Gender and governance body in New York City to ensure that both genders receive equal service provision as a measure of reducing sex trafficking incidences.
Education
The CCI/John Jay report indicates that sex trafficking of youths, of about 19.5% constitutes students of 12th grade. Sex trafficking of students is as a result of students going missing and even dropping out of school. The report indicates that a population of 8% in learning institutions should be educated on the dangers in the surrounding environment, and this will significantly equip them with the requirement that improves their security (Barnert et al. 828). Therefore, it is the role of the school administration in New York City learning institutions to ensure efficient monitoring of the students.
Age of first involvement
CCI/ John Jay report indicates that age 14-17 are more vulnerable to sex trafficking. Such that the boys depict an average of 15.28 years, girls average at 15.15 while the transgender person is at 16.16. The reports bring us to the conclusion that 15 years is the suitable age at which sex trafficking in New York City occurs.
Role of Pimps
CCI/John Jay reports indicates that 47% of the youths were lured by their friends to join the sex trafficking. On the other hand, 16% of the sex trafficking cases whereas a result of procures who promise affection, love, money and presents in return (Moore et al. 414). Moreover, 24% of youths who undergo sexual trafficking come from their buddies.
Economics
The report by CCI/John Jay depicts that 95% of the minors that experiences sex trafficking is as a result of poor economic conditions. Pimps lure the minors with gifts to obtain sex. Thus, forming 80% of the victims who fall into the trap of sex trafficking.
Leading risk factor of sex trafficking in New York City
Research by OCFS indicates that abuse is a risk factor that triggers the occurrence of sex trafficking. The study explains that sex traffickers engage in the act due to having a history of having experienced abuse (Nichols 59). Moreover, the research indicates that 95% of the girls in New York City have a history of abuse in their past life before experiencing sex trafficking. Also, homelessness forms part of the risk factors that trigger the occurrence of sex trafficking. The homeless minors find it necessary to offer sex services to fund their basic needs (Sprang et al. 189). About 70%-80% of the minors trade their body a practice that has become normal in New York City.
Moreover, drug abuse forms part of the risk factors that trigger the occurrence of sex trafficking. For instance, research has it that 73% of the girls in New York City have a history or are currently involved in drugs and substances (Nichols 62). Such minors get addicted to drugs and engage in sexual activities knowingly or unknowingly (Bishop 137). Also, 80% of the youths in NYC are having a history of taking drugs, and this triggers the occurrence of sex trafficking. Furthermore, research by OCFS indicates that 91% of the girls that experiences sex trafficking are as a result of having had a mental illness. The mental illness may be as a result of grief or depression and thus seeks aid from the sex traffickers who promises the victims gifts and money (Bishop 137). The depressed victim in NYC is as a result of the loss of their parents and sponsors.
School absence and truancy form the basis for sex trafficking in NYC. For instance, the failure of the syllabus to cover sexual abuse topic to the students encourages the acts. Such that the students fail to realise the adverse effects and circumstance that triggers sex trafficking (Sprang et al. 189). Thus, schools in NYC have adopted measures that create awareness for students to curb the growing influence of sex trafficking. Additionally, gang participation encourages the presence of sex trafficking. For instance, a gang that is composed of all the genders promotes the occurrence of sex trafficking (Barnert et al. 826). The male in a gang forces the female counterparts in engaging in sexual acts with the promise of material goods and protection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sex trafficking in New York City is rampant due to the diversification of the large population in the area. Sex trafficking majorly experienced among youths based on origin, ethnicity, gender, education, age of first involvement, the role of pimps, and economics. The risk factors that trigger sex trafficking includes abuse, homelessness, drug abuse, mental illness, school absence and gang participation. Therefore, the United States should fund a project that advocates for the abolition of sex trafficking.
