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Policy Statement: Human Trafficking and the Sexual Exploitation of YouthHuman trafficking and sexual exploitation of women, men, and children is recognized as a severe form of abuse and torture that occurs everyday in the United States. Human trafficking is now commonly coined as "modern day slavery." The scope of this problem is wide-ranging with an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 men, women, and children trafficked worldwide. Individuals are trafficked both from within the United States and from outside the United States.It is believed that between 14,500 and 17,500 individuals are trafficked into the United States each year and 200,000 youth in the United States are at risk of becoming victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking (US Department of Justice, 2004). The primary cause identified as a reason children are sexually exploited and trafficked within the United States is a result of children and youth who are runaways and currently living on the streets (Estes and Weiner, 2002). Youth in the United States are at high risk of sexual exploitation. In a study by the University of Pennsylvania in 2001, it is estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 adolescents are commercially sexually exploited or at risk of becoming exploited in the United States each year. Considering the extensive and pervasive nature of the problem of human trafficking specifically within New York City, the Alliance advocates for a comprehensive state law that would provide services to victims of human trafficking and compensation for these victims from the New York State Crimes Victim Board. A human trafficking law should clearly define human trafficking as a separate crime and outline the penalties perpetrators will receive. In addition to outlining the legal definitions of human trafficking the law should also outline the legal penalties for those who are human traffickers in addition to those who patronize the victims of human trafficking. Finally, the law should include provisions and funding for enhanced services for victims of human trafficking. These services should provide victims with medical and social assistance. It should also afford the victims a right to privacy and adequate legal representation. The same kinds of services and needs are required by domestic sexually exploited youth. In New York City it is estimated that on any given night 20,000 youth are homeless. Youth often flee their homes for the street as a result of abuse within the home. The Alliance should consider supporting legislation that will provide services to youth under 18 years of age who are arrested for prostitution in lieu of entry into the criminal justice system. We also advocate for a strengthened ability to prosecute the people responsible for the sexually exploited youth and those who utilize the services. The Alliance continues to support the efforts of the Assembly, Senate, and Attorney General's Office as they work to create a comprehensive law that adequately addresses human trafficking and sexual exploitation. This law must not simply reprimand the sex traffickers, but must also be victim-centered. The law must provide the necessary provisions to help victims of human trafficking and exploitation heal physically, emotionally, and psychologically. < -- Previous Policy Statement | Next Policy Statement --> |
Voices and Faces:
Katie Feifer 
"What got me through? So many people, so many supportive actions. And the fact that people believe me. I did not have to live with the horror of being doubted."
Read more about Katie at The Voices and Faces Project »
Alliance Research Director introducing the film "It’s Not About Sex", a documentary created by NYC youth
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