Abstract
Critical psychological, systemic, and legislative barriers to the successful prosecution of child sex traffickers who exploit
U.S. citizens were uncovered during a rapid assessment conducted in a U.S. metropolitan region considered a high intensity
child prostitution area. Information obtained during 34 face-to-face interviews with criminal justice professionals most likely
to encounter child sex trafficking victims was supported by the collection of supplementary quantitative data. Findings revealed
complex psychological factors that deter victim participation in prosecutions of traffickers such as child victims’ denial
of exploitation, trauma bonding between victims and traffickers, and frequent flight and revictimization. Existing inadequacies
within the criminal justice system were found that may contribute to child sex trafficking persisting as a low risk/high reward
crime.
U.S. citizens were uncovered during a rapid assessment conducted in a U.S. metropolitan region considered a high intensity
child prostitution area. Information obtained during 34 face-to-face interviews with criminal justice professionals most likely
to encounter child sex trafficking victims was supported by the collection of supplementary quantitative data. Findings revealed
complex psychological factors that deter victim participation in prosecutions of traffickers such as child victims’ denial
of exploitation, trauma bonding between victims and traffickers, and frequent flight and revictimization. Existing inadequacies
within the criminal justice system were found that may contribute to child sex trafficking persisting as a low risk/high reward
crime.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s11896-012-9106-6
- Authors
- Joan A. Reid, Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USA
- Journal Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology
- Online ISSN 1936-6469
- Print ISSN 0882-0783