413047-Underground-Commercial-Sex-Economy

Pimps who were aware of the penalties associated with sex trafficking modified their methods and
practices to elude law enforcement or avoid punitive sentencing. Law enforcement’s acute attention to
cases involving minors was relayed in some offender interviews. Multiple respondents reported avoiding
minors as a result; some respondents even asked prospective employees to provide identification to verify
age. Other respondents reported that they avoided specific cities that were reportedly cracking down on
pimping or tried not to cross state lines with employees (despite the fact that no border crossing is
necessary to bring a sex trafficking charge). Other tactics to elude law enforcement included the use of
codes for online advertisement, minimal or coded communications between pimps and their employees,
and tactics to proactively identify law enforcement stings.
Policy Implications
Additional resources should be made available to local and state law enforcement agencies to maintain
consistent and visible law enforcement attention to sex trafficking and pursue investigations.
Practice Implications
Findings suggest that some pimps engaged in facilitation of sex work in part because they were unaware
of the severity of the possible consequences. Public awareness campaigns, as discussed in finding 4 and
finding 6, are critical to inform the public and prospective offenders about sex trafficking laws and the
associated consequences.
Finding 8: The widespread availability and rapid expansion of the
Internet has redefined the spatial and social limitations of the sex
market by introducing new markets for both recruitment and
advertisement.
Findings from this study corroborate extant literature on the expansion of Internet use to facilitate sex
work. Offenders reported new marketing opportunities for pimps to connect with both recruits and
clientele, including online classified websites, as well as social media and networking websites. Some
respondents also reported building personal websites to advertise their business; other respondents
aspired to do the same. The Internet also allowed pimps to test the market by posting ad online before
travelling to a new city in order to determine the level of demand.
Respondents also cited a growing awareness among pimps about the dangers of law enforcement
detection due to online activities. Law enforcement in all eight study cities also reported the use of the
Internet by pimps for advertisement and/or recruitment. This study reveals that pimps and traffickers are
increasingly aware of law enforcement tactics to identify and prosecute online sex work. With few
exceptions, respondents who used the Internet to facilitate sex work recognized that law enforcement
used the Internet to locate and prosecute pimps. This study found that pimps modify their business
practices to elude law enforcement investigations online.
Policy Implications
Federal law should require that trafficking hotlines are posted on websites hosting service advertisements,
including Craigslist.com and Backpage.com. State laws should similarly mandate that websites for local
newspapers hosting classified advertisements post trafficking hotline information. Websites including
adult advertisement sections should be mandated to post visitor requirements to report suspected human
trafficking or exploitation of minors.
Practice Implications
Websites known to host advertisements for sex work should proactively post contact information for state
and national trafficking hotlines, awareness campaigns, and advertisements for services including
shelters, counseling, and crisis intervention.
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