Why?
No survivor of sexual exploitation should be ignored just because they don’t fit the narrative that the media tends to portray.
The National Center on Sexual Exploitation’s annual Out of the Shadows series delves deeper into often overlooked topics of sexual exploitation. This series gathers recent research, produces videos, convenes task forces of leaders to collaborate further, hosts national symposia, and creates actionable items to help enrich and build the movement for human dignity.
We know that the complex web of sexual exploitation cannot be dismantled until every survivor has a voice.
Documents
Video
Updates
On Racism and Sexual Exploitation
Racism is everywhere in sexual exploitation. Pornography is rife with racist material that celebrates the degradation of black women, men, and children. Commercial sex buyers are predominantly white men while victims of sex trafficking are disproportionately women and girls of color. Predators prey upon the people society has marginalized, which means minority communities are a…
Combating Demand is Crucial for Protecting Victims of Prostitution
For advocates and allies in the movement to end sexual exploitation, the arrest of even one sex buyer, pimp, or trafficker is cause for celebration. It’s like Christmas when hundreds, even thousands, of these exploiters are held responsible for their actions. For Marian Hatcher of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) in Chicago, Illinois, “Christmas”…
Commercial Sex Industry Takes Advantage of Unemployment Levels During Times of Crisis
During times of crisis when unemployment levels are subject to increase, sexually exploitative entities that are already well versed in coercion apply increased pressure on vulnerable women (and men) to use commercial sex as a way to make “ends meet.” The coronavirus pandemic is no different. As the U.S. and global economy have been rocked,…
How to Secure Zoom Calls and Protect from Exploitative “Zoombombing”
As more groups and individuals turn to Zoom for video conferencing during the COVID-19 pandemic, a problematic trend called “Zoombombing” is on the rise. Unfortunately for the many thousands (likely millions) of people who are using Zoom video conferencing for the first time for work, school, and socializing, Zoom isn’t as secure as it should…
Emilia Clarke Opens Up About How HBO Pushed Scenes of Rape, Nudity
Unfortunately for women, such as actress Emilia Clarke, Hollywood is no stranger to sexual exploitation. For years, the industry profited off the objectification, harassment, and abuse of women both in front of and behind the camera. In 2017, the #MeToo movement was launched across the country due to women in Hollywood speaking out about Harvey…
