Sex Trafficking in the U.S.: 100 Year Problems and Response

Abstract

America’s discussion around sex trafficking is at least 100 years old. The campaign against sex trafficking is about the same age, and has never stopped, just that sometimes it is at high tide, sometimes it is at low tide.

This paper will review the 100-year history against sex trafficking in U.S. starting from the beginning of the 20th century, and ends with the Trafficking Victim Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (TVPRA 2005). The aim is to analyze the process in which the problem of sex trafficking has been defined and tackled. The paper will focus on three different periods in history: the progressive era, the sexual revolution era and the new century. In each time period, political and social environment will be analyzed; political actors, purpose of their acts, and the results of their acts will be reviewed. Through a historical lens, the author hopes to shed light on the current discussion about sex trafficking.

Mary Huiquan Zhou, MSW, Ed. M Special Education, PhD Welfare Policy Candidate
University: University of Pennslyvania, School of Social Policy and Practice
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Title of Presentation: Sex Trafficking in the U.S.: 100 Year Problems and Response