Survivor Insights the Role of Technology in Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking
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Survivor Insights The Role of Technology in Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking JANUARY 2018 In collaboration with Dr. Vanessa Bouché, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Texas Christian University Survivor Insights | 3 Table of Contents 4 Executive Summary 37 Advertising 12 Introduction 42 Interaction with Buyers Overview of Survey 46 Exiting the Life 17 & Participants 50 Discussion & Implications 23 Recruitment & Grooming 58 Recommendations 28 Experience in the Life Tech Use & Access 32 in the Life PAGE Executive 4 Summary I felt like a slave working for someone, getting beat and not getting paid, not having control “ over my own life. — Survey Respondent Survivor Insights | Executive Summary 5 Executive Summary In an effort to strategically inform technology STAT HIGHLIGHTS Two central themes emerged from initiatives for combating domestic minor sex survey responses: trafficking (DMST), Thorn partnered with Dr. Vanessa Bouché at Texas Christian University 260 Technology is playing an increasing role in Survivors of DMST to survey survivors about their experiences. grooming and controlling victims of DMST. The survey focused on understanding what 1 role technology played in a victim’s recruitment Less familiar forms of DMST, including those 1 in 6 into, time while in, and exit from DMST. 2 trafficked by family members or without a Trafficked under the age clear trafficker, emerged in the DMST of twelve Two hundred and sixty survivors of DMST, landscape. However, consistent in all types of through 24 survivor organizations, spanning DMST observed are common experiences 75% 14 states, completed the survey. of childhood abuse and neglect. Of those who entered the life in 2004 or later The majority of participants identified as female These themes suggest an important were advertised online (98%), 2% as male, and 1% as “other”.1 Sixty-seven understanding about the nature of DMST and percent identified as heterosexual, 25% bisexual, the role of technology. The need for human 5% homosexual, 2% “other”, and 1% “don’t know”. connection, and the vulnerabilities that arise in the absence thereof, are central to the Among those identifying race (n=243), 45% recruitment, control, and recovery of DMST reported African American, 27% Caucasian, survivors. Use of technology is likely to continue 21% Hispanic, and 8% “other”. to increase; however, technology is unlikely to extinguish the human element of DMST. 1 Does not total to 100% due to rounding. Survivor Insights | Executive Summary 6 Role of technology is increasing Not surprisingly, use of technology by traffickers, RECRUITMENT AND GROOMING. Across the victims, and buyers is increasing. The Internet sample, most traffickers continue to meet and and cellular technology offer individuals the groom victims through face to face contact. opportunity to stay connected around the clock However, respondents who entered the life in and from any distance, and it offers access - to 2015 noted much higher uses of technology in information, goods, and people - that previously this process. Across the sample, 84% reported was out of reach. These same benefits support meeting their trafficker for the first time face its growing popularity in DMST. to face, but only 45% of those entering the life in 2015 reported meeting their trafficker face to face. The remaining 55% reported use of text, website, or app. Similarly, 85% of the entire sample reported their trafficker spent time with them in person to build a relationship. 45% By comparison, only 58% of those who entered Met their trafficker the life in 2015 reported time in person as the face to face means for building a relationship. Of those whose trafficker used technology in this process, 63% Respondents reported communicating online and 25% reported who entered communicating via phone call. the life in 2015 Importantly, 2015 data deviated from the rest of the sample; therefore, continued investigation into the use of technology in meeting and grooming victims is required. However, the findings do show that while meeting in person was the singular dominant method of developing 55% a close relationship in the past, it is now a Met via text, dominant method while technology-based modes website, or app of communicating are increasing in usage. Survivor Insights | Executive Summary 7 EXPERIENCE IN THE LIFE. While in Online advertising was also associated the life, most victims do have access with an increased number of buyers per to the Internet and 90% of those day. One in seven respondents who were report using social media. Victims are advertised on the street reported more using social media to communicate than 10 buyers per day. By comparison, with family, friends, traffickers, and one in four respondents who were buyers. Interestingly, findings suggest advertised online reported more than monitoring of both Internet and cell 10 buyers per day. 75% phone use is decreasing. The most By using remote means of communicating, popular websites accessed by victims traffickers are able to engage with more were Facebook, Backpage, Craigslist, victims and buyers simultaneously and Instagram, and Google. around the clock, thereby expanding Online advertising is increasing while their reach and influence significantly. advertising on the street is decreasing. Prior to 2004, the predominant forum for advertising was on the street (78%) and only 38% were advertised online. By comparison, for those who entered 38% the life in or after 2004, street advertising had dropped to 61% and online advertising had increased to 75%. The most frequently reported platform for online advertising was Backpage. The next most popular sites included Craigslist, RedBook, Online advertising SugarDaddy, and Facebook. based on when respondent entered the life 2004 BEFORE AFTER 2004 Survivor Insights | Executive Summary 8 Less familiar trafficking into commercial sexual exploitation almost exclusively by family members, experiences and shared is roughly 12 to 14 years old. While often a father or stepfather. This early vulnerabilities the most frequently reported age of entrapment in the life colored their entry into the life was 15, one in six understanding of individual value or Survey responses underscored participants reported being trafficked purpose with one respondent stating numerous social factors that influenced before the age of 12 with the youngest it was explained to them as “what all respondents’ experiences while in the victims less than 1 year old. little girls and boys do for their parents”. life, and later on their road to recovery. Another underscored that being Respondents described a range of Adverse childhood experiences trafficked by a family member made trafficking experiences in the life increased vulnerability of exploitation. escape seem impossible, stating “I could including the following general Recurring victimization by those in never escape. I never have anyone to categories: familial, non-familial, or positions of trust bred distorted views turn to. I didn’t have a choice. I was no trafficker. The survey found that in of self-worth, love, and security. born into this.” some cases children may be born into The survey found that the median age sex trafficking, or be forced into it as entering the life was 14 years old. This a toddler. Sex trafficking of those that Most frequently corroborates other research on DMST are younger than 10 years old when 15 reported age showing that the average age of entry they entered the life is perpetrated 12 Participants’ age of entry into the life Youngest age <1 reported ONE IN SIX WERE UNDER THE AGE OF 12 Survivor Insights | Executive Summary 9 Respondents who entered the life after age 11, Those reporting no trafficker appeared to have were most likely to be trafficked by strangers, significantly more freedom, evidenced by having followed by people in their social network. In fewer buyers per day, being able to use their some cases, respondents reported a trafficker’s phones more frequently, having unmonitored offer of food and shelter was their first step into Internet access, advertising less, and being less the life. In other cases, a trafficker’s promise of likely to say that they wanted help exiting the life. love and wealth helped to earned their trust. Even after exiting the life, many do not Even among those that were not trafficked by characterize themselves as victims and may their own family, the survey results reveal that continue to romanticize their relationship with many DMST victims experienced some form of the trafficker. Less than one quarter have seen childhood abuse and neglect, reporting high rates their trafficker prosecuted and when asked if of verbal, physical, or sexual abuse. Given these they would want to pursue prosecution of their adverse childhood experiences, two out of three trafficker, a strong majority (88%) reported participants had experiences with either foster they would not. care or juvenile detention. These environments likely increased exposure to negative influences Recommendations including traffickers or other victims of DMST that Findings of the survey support many initiatives used their access to recruit new victims. currently underway to combat DMST such as “ It’s easy to Throughout the report there are some significant supporting stable and loving homes, increasing differences between those who had a trafficker awareness in the community, and expanding get in and while in the life and those who reported that they available support resources such as shelters and did not. Nineteen percent of participants reported job training. These efforts play an important role hard to get that they did not have a trafficker. It is likely a in protecting vulnerable children and identifying trafficker existed in some of these cases, but traffickers, and should be sustained and grown out.” was not recognized as such by the respondent. when possible. In addition, survey responses — Survey Respondent Analysis of responses found that 42% of these suggest several opportunities for improved respondents were subject to physical and prevention, intervention, and recovery.