Conclusion

This particular population has experienced, and continues to experience, a high degree of vulnerability when compared to the general population. The likelihood of early childhood trauma due to unstable home environments led to a high degree of vulnerability at a young age, which traffickers exploited for their own gain. The subsequent trauma of the experience of being trafficked has only added to this vulnerability.

Since exiting, participants continue to live in the shadow of their experience of being trafficked, living with the consequences of a young life disrupted by sexual exploitation. Many do not have the requisite skill set, whether professional or interpersonal, to adjust to employment that does not include dancing, stripping, and/or sex work. Some spoke of having large gaps in employment on their résumé. One (1) participant spoke of not finishing high school due to being trafficked so young, and most spoke of the significant mental and emotional struggle of adjusting to “the straight life”.

While these women continue to access support, there are many victims of trafficking that will not get the same opportunities. The participants spoke of the necessity of increasing public awareness of human trafficking and implementing prevention programs, particularly for at-risk youth in order to prevent further victims of trafficking. These women have described this very dark aspect of our world in great detail, further urging action to end sex trafficking.