How We’re Fighting Sexual Exploitation During COVID-19
Sexual exploitation is a tragedy whenever and wherever it occurs. One of the pernicious realities of sexual exploitation is that it does not stop, not even during a global health crisis like the novel coronavirus pandemic of 2020. Not only do sexually exploitative industries, companies, and individuals not stop during crisis, they often try to…
Advocating for Victims of Sexual Exploitation in the Time of COVID-19
The sex trade is fundamentally predatory. Systems of sexual exploitation (e.g. strip clubs, illicit massage parlors, legal brothels, online prostitution websites, etc.) operate using a business model that feeds off of people’s vulnerabilities and traumatic events such as childhood sexual abuse, child sex trafficking, child neglect, sexual abuse within the foster care system, homelessness, and…
The National Center’s Demand Reduction Meeting with the U.S. Domestic Policy Council
Staff members from the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, including president and CEO Patrick Trueman and Michael Shively, Ph.D. (both pictured above), were able to spend time with the Domestic Policy Council of the United States this week in order to educate them on the importance of demand reduction in the fight against sexual exploitation….
Why Does GooglePlay Host This Exploitive App?
Sugar dating is marketed as relationships in which young, attractive women can meet “experienced men” who will provide everything from mentorship to all expenses paid lavish vacations. In this system, men are encouraged to engage in no strings attached relationships with beautiful young women. Meanwhile, “sugar babies” are told that this experience will empower them and…
The Visa Credit Card is Partnering with the Porn Industry
The credit card company, Visa, is partnering with the pornography industry by processing payments for pornography with themes of sexual violence, racism, incest, and the fetishization of minors. By doing so, Visa is supporting and normalizing the pornography industry, despite its sexually exploitive nature including harm to performers, sex trafficking victims, and even large scale public…
Wyndham and Other Hotels Sued for Facilitating Sex Trafficking
Excerpt from AP COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Lawyers representing human trafficking victims want a single federal judge to oversee multiple lawsuits alleging that major hotel chains have ignored human trafficking taking place on their premises. Attorneys have asked a federal panel to consolidate at least 21 such lawsuits pending in 11 states into a single…
Student Debt Is Being Weaponized to Entice College Students Into Sugar Dating
By Tamar Arenson The tragic death of college student Mackenzie Lueck exemplifies the ever-increasing dangers of the sugar dating world. Mackenzie, a student at the University of Utah, was involved in the sugar dating world and had written in posts online that she had profiles on Tinder and SeekingArrangement in which she had explicitly stated…
The Super Bowl and America’s Hidden Sex Trafficking Epidemic
The Super Bowl has a significant sex trafficking problem. In 2019 alone, according to the FBI, 169 individuals were arrested in connection with sex trafficking during an 11-day operation that was undertaken in conjunction with Super Bowl LIII which was being held in Atlanta. However, as deeply problematic as the trafficking that occurs around large…
Four Problems with Twitter’s Irresponsible Policy on Pornography
Is pornography allowed on Twitter? In November of 2019, Twitter clarified its Sensitive Media Policy stating: “You may not post media that is excessively gory or share violent or adult content within live video or in profile or header images. Media depicting sexual violence and/or assault is also not permitted.” This initially seems promising, however,…
Blind Eyes Opened: America has a massive sex trafficking epidemic
One of the problems encountered in the movement to end sexual exploitation is the fact that many people—most people, perhaps—aren’t aware of the problem, let alone the size of the problem. Even if and when they are aware of the problem, a common assumption is that sex trafficking is a problem “somewhere else.” Blind Eyes…