Race, ethnicity, gender and social class relate to sex trafficking when considering the matrix of oppression and how social constructs impact individual outcomes. Though a white individual may be more privileged than a racial minority, a white female may be more oppressed than a male. When demographics intersect each person develops a unique matrix of oppression. Privilege and oppression lead to consequences, both positive and negative. No single social construct or demographic automatically predicts criminal behavior or victimization, but race, ethnicity, gender and social class do impact individuals’ outcomes. (Van Wormer & Link, 2016) Individuals can “rise above” oppression, but the road is often more stressful than for the privileged. (Silverstein, 2013)
Though sex trafficking affects people from all walks of life, the majority of victims are female at nearly 80% and the majority of traffickers worldwide are male. (Deshpande & Nour, 2013) The prevalence of female victims correlates with gender-based violence and cultural norms. Violent behavior is heavily committed by males, and for some men, is tied to their sense of masculinity. When masculinity is threatened, some males are prone to violent behavior, especially when they have a history with violence. (Newburn & Stanko, 2006) This can be seen in trafficking cases, where violence and victimization can be tied to the need for masculine power. (Lloyd, 2012)Traffickers thrive on power and exploit trust and lack of social supports in their victims. Furthermore, American culture normalizes gender-based violence through its media. This normalization, paired with cyclical patterns of violence, can make brutality seem acceptable. (Lloyd, 2012)
Sex trafficking does not center solely on gender dynamics, and there are certainly cases of males being trafficked by females. Though race is not a clear determinant of trafficking experience, the ways race and social class intersect can be. Typically sex traffickers choose victims of similar race and ethnicity. (Polaris, 2018) While many victims come from financial hardship, sex trafficking is highly profitable for abusers, with an estimated $290 commercial sex economy in Atlanta. (Polaris, 2018) Traffickers seek the most vulnerable people, which may be related to a victim’s race, class, gender, sexual orientation, language and/or physical and cognitive abilities.
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The impact of social constructs can be seen from a young age. When educators have high expectations for students, they are more likely to succeed. The opposite is also true, and at-risk students, such as minorities, are more affected by this. (Kosloski, 2018) Education is often labeled an equalizer, and when a child’s education is impacted by behavior based on social constructs, they are set up on a more challenging path. (Brownstein, 2016) In 2016, 40 percent of minority students in the United States attend schools facing high poverty levels, compared to 8.5 percent of white students. (National Equity Atlas, 2016) Poor education can limit career options, and may lead individuals to seek more lucrative opportunities.
For individuals who struggle in school, come from financial hardship, and/or have experienced childhood trauma, criminal activity may become a financial lifeline or a way to build community. (Lloyd, 2012) Risk factors for trafficking victims include: “child abuse/neglect, homelessness, runaway, sexual abuse/assault, domestic violence, poverty, involvement with child welfare and/or juvenile justice system, mental health concerns, substance use and trauma.” (Polaris, 2018)
Another prominent intersection of social constructs and sex trafficking are the schemas often applied to its victims. Criminal justice professionals as well as greater society often make false assumptions about victims. “They chose that life” and “they’re just prostitutes” are common phrases applied to victims. Society often is more concerned with middle class white trafficking victims than lower class minority victims. (Lloyd, 2012) Though their cases may be remarkably similar, social constructs and schemas can heavily impact how victims are treated in their communities and the criminal justice system.
In and out group bias also limits understanding and the rehabilitation of trafficking victims. As horrendous as “the life” is, it can create a level of comfort for victims through rituals and subculture. (Lloyd, 2012) Like most people, victims may seek comfort with those of similar race, gender and class. In the outside world, victims are often not understood or treated for trauma effectively. (U.S State Department, 2018) Even decades after rehabilitation, they may still be seen as “former prostitutes.” (Lloyd, 2012)
The social constructs of race, ethnicity, gender and social class create a system of organizing and labeling. Though none of these automatically drives individuals to criminality or victimization, the intersections can increase vulnerability. Sex trafficking is a complex issue, but it boils down to power. Traffickers crave power, and seek the most vulnerable victims who often are looking for basic human connection. To better support victims of sex trafficking, as well as understand their abusers, criminal justice professionals must consider the power of social constructs and their consequences.
References
- Silverstein, J. (2013, March 11). How Racism Is Bad for Our Bodies. Retrieved October 3, 2018, from https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/03/how-racism-is-bad-for-our-bodies/273911/
- Van Wormer, K. S., & Link, R. J. (2016). Chapter 6: Minority Groups and the Impact of Oppression in Social Welfare Policy for a Sustainable Future (pp. 179-203). Retrieved October 3, 2018, from http://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/social-welfare-policy-for-a-sustainable-future/book238069
- Deshpande, N. A., & Nour, N. M. (2013). Sex Trafficking of Women and Girls. Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 6(1). Retrieved October 3, 2018, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3651545/
- Newburn, T., & Stanko, E. A. (2006). Just Boys Doing Business?: Men, Masculinities and Crime. London: Routledge.
- Lloyd, R. (2012). Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls are Not for Sale: A Memoir. New York: HarperPerennial.
- https://spssi.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1986.tb00243.x
- Polaris (2018). Sex Trafficking. Retrieved October 3, 2018 from https://polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/sex-trafficking.pdf
- Polaris (2018). Sex Trafficking. Retrieved October 3, 2018 from https://polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/sex-trafficking.pdf
- Kosloski, A. (2018, September 29). Social Class and Institutions. Lecture presented at CJ5008 in University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
- Brownstein, J. B. (2016, February 29). Students of Color Are Much More Likely to Attend Schools Where Most of Their Peers Are Poor. Retrieved October 2, 2018, from https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/02/concentration-poverty-american-schools/471414/
- National Equity Atlas. (2016). School Poverty – United States. Retrieved October 04, 2018, from http://nationalequityatlas.org/indicators/School_poverty
- Lloyd, R. (2012). Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls are Not for Sale: A Memoir. New York: HarperPerennial.
- Polaris (2018). Sex Trafficking. Retrieved October 3, 2018 from https://polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/sex-trafficking.pdf
- Lloyd, R. (2012). Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls are Not for Sale: A Memoir. New York: HarperPerennial.
- Lloyd, R. (2012). Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls are Not for Sale: A Memoir. New York: HarperPerennial.
- 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report (pp. 1-486, Rep.). (2018). Washington, D.C.: U.S. State Department.
- Lloyd, R. (2012). Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls are Not for Sale: A Memoir. New York: HarperPerennial.
