Sex Trafficking- A Definition

When we think about the term 'sex trafficking' we all conjure a set of images, specific to our understanding and experience of sex trafficking.

But how is it actually defined? And when Held Dear writes on the topic, what do we really mean?

Sex trafficking is the practice of transporting individuals out of their own country, using force, deception, manipulation, coercion, family pressure, economic deprivation and other conditions of inequality for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

Slavery usually comes hand in hand with sex trafficking. Slavery is defined as the ownership of a person, who under control or domination of another, loses the ability to control his or her life, liberty and fortune.

At Held Dear we have adopted the definitions provided by Lydia Cacho, author of Slavery Inc. The Untold Story of International Sex Trafficking. Lydia is an author we admire, have learned a great deal from and highly recommend.

Sex Trafficking is distinctly different from 'human trafficking,' for more information on that click the link below.

United Nations on Human Trafficking