by Olivia Finnegan, Program Intern
Sex trafficking is a serious issue in the United States and across the globe. Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, sex trafficking occurs when commercial sex acts are induced through force, fraud, or coercion. Commercial sex acts include any sexual act done in exchange for something of value. This can even be something as small as a meal or a vape. Additionally, any commercial sex act involving a person under the age of 18 is legally considered sex trafficking regardless of whether force, fraud, or coercion is present (TVPA of 2000, Public Law 106 - 386). Maryland law incorporates the core elements of the federal definition of sex trafficking while also creating additional state offenses related to sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation (Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 3-1102).
When sex trafficking is portrayed in the media, such as in movies, television shows, and books, it often shows the most extreme cases, which can leave survivors and community members with an incomplete understanding of what sex trafficking may involve or how it may occur. These misconceptions can make it more difficult for survivors to feel validated and seek help or support.
Between the years of 2020 and 2024, the National Human Trafficking Hotline identified over 51,000 cases of human trafficking in the United States, involving more than 87,000 victims; over 71% of these cases involved sex trafficking (National Statistics, n.d.). In this same time period, 2,727 signals of human trafficking came from the state of Maryland alone. (Maryland Statistics, n.d.). Still, the true prevalence of sex trafficking in the United States is difficult to grasp due to the hidden nature of these crimes. One study found that official trafficking numbers represented only between 14% and 18% of the potential total trafficking victims (Farrell et al., 2019). This means that many survivors remain unidentified and are not connected with services.
The state of Maryland is particularly vulnerable as well. In 2021, Maryland had the 13th highest signal rate for reports of human trafficking out of all 50 states and Washington, DC (National Human Trafficking Hotline, 2021). This is partially due to the state’s location along multiple interstate highways connecting major cities such as New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Atlanta. While areas of increased travel do often face higher rates of trafficking, it is commonly thought that movement of victims across state or national borders is required for trafficking to take place. This is not the case. Sex trafficking can occur anywhere, at any time, even in a victim's own community or home.
Sex trafficking can also take many different forms. A Polaris Analysis of Data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline (2021) found that sex trafficking most commonly takes place through escort services, pornography, illicit massage, residential-based commercial sex, and personal sexual servitude. Technology has also created new avenues for sexual exploitation, sometimes referred to as cybersex trafficking. Traffickers may use online platforms to force or manipulate victims into producing sexually explicit photos, videos, or livestreamed content for profit. (International Justice Mission, 2019). Survivors of this type of sex trafficking may never meet the buyers in person, but their experience follows the same pattern as other forms of trafficking: someone uses force, fraud, or coercion to sexually exploit another person for personal or financial gain.
Another widespread misconception is that the majority of victims are kidnapped, held against their will, or physically forced into their trafficking situation. While situations like these do occur, they are not common. Often, traffickers are trusted individuals with close relationships to their victims. According to a Polaris analysis of sex trafficking cases (2021), 45% of recruiters are family members or caregivers of their victims, and 40% are intimate partners. These relationships can be incredibly complex. Traffickers often use grooming techniques that build trust with victims while isolating them over time (Allen et al., 2023). Many survivors become emotionally attached to the trafficker, financially dependent on them, or fearful of retaliation if they attempt to leave. These relationship dynamics can even make it difficult for survivors to recognize when exploitation or coercion is occurring.
Traffickers also tend to target those already most vulnerable. In a 2023 survey with survivors of human trafficking, Polaris reported that 83% of respondents experienced poverty prior to their exploitation, 96% reported previous experiences of abuse (emotional, physical, or sexual), and 93% experienced substance abuse or mental health challenges. Children and adolescents, homeless individuals, LGBTQIA+ youth, and those with involvement in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems are also at greater risk (Polaris Project, 2021).
Survivors may depend on their trafficker for basic needs such as housing, food, transportation, or financial support. Leaving these situations can be difficult, especially if the person being trafficked is already isolated from other means of support. Criminalization is a big barrier as well. Unfortunately, many survivors have faced criminalization for illegal acts they were forced to commit while being trafficked. In the same Polaris survey (2023), 62% of trafficking survivors had been arrested, detained, or cited by law enforcement at some point in their lives. Of those individuals, 81% reported that it took place during their trafficking experience. Criminal records can be detrimental for survivors after exiting a trafficking situation, as they can limit housing and employment opportunities. In Maryland, vacatur of convictions is an option for those who meet the legal definitions of sex/labor trafficking (MD Criminal Procedure Code § 8-302, 2025). This means that survivors can petition the court to vacate qualifying prior convictions committed as a direct result of their victimization. This law is an incredible step forward in ensuring trafficking survivors are not further punished for their victimization. Still, this process can be an uphill battle for many survivors and can not completely remove the harms caused by these experiences.
It is important to remember that trauma can also shape how survivors understand and respond to their trafficking experiences. When a person experiences repeated traumatic events, it can change the way they perceive danger or safety (Fields, 2025). Survivors, particularly young people and those with histories of abuse, may come to view controlling or abusive behavior as normal, or may have developed a distrust of social services or law enforcement due to negative past experiences (Lavoie et al., 2019). When these experiences are combined with misconceptions about what trafficking looks like, survivors may not realize that what they are experiencing is trafficking or know that help is available. This is why proper education and awareness on the topic is so important.
For survivors, knowledge is often power. Raising public awareness on the realities of sex trafficking allows communities to better identify the warning signs and respond with care. Even more, knowledge allows survivors to better understand their own experiences and recognize that they are deserving of support. Trafficking, like many other forms of sexual violence, is about power and control. But the ability to make informed decisions about seeking help can empower survivors to regain this control. If you or someone you know may be experiencing trafficking, know that you are not alone. Seeking help does not require certainty that what you experienced was trafficking. The resources below are available to provide support, information, and guidance.
Resources for survivors and community members:
References
Allan, C., Winters, G. M., & Jeglic, E. L. (2023). Current Trends in Sex Trafficking Research. Current psychiatry reports, 25(5), 175–182. Retrieved here.
International Justice Mission. (2019). Cybersex trafficking. Retrieved here.
Farrell, A., Dank, M., Kafafian, M., Lockwood, S., Pfeffer, R., Hughes, A., & Vincent, K. (2019). Capturing Human Trafficking Victimization Through Crime Reporting. Retrieved here.
Fields, E. (2025, October 1). Why don’t human trafficking victims leave? Safe House Project. Retrieved here.
Lavoie, J., Dickerson, K. L., Redlich, A. D., & Quas, J. A. (2019). Overcoming disclosure reluctance in youth victims of sex trafficking: New directions for research, policy, and practice. Psychology Public Policy and Law, 25(4), 225–238. Retrieved here.
Maryland Statistics. (n.d.). National Human Trafficking Hotline. Retrieved here.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 3-1102. (2019). Retrieved here.
National Human Trafficking Hotline. (2021). Maryland State Report: 1/1/2021 - 12/31/2021. Retrieved here.
National Statistics. (n.d.). National Human Trafficking Hotline. Retrieved here.
Polaris Project. (2021). Polaris Analysis of 2021 Data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Retrieved here.
Polaris Project. (2023). In Harm’s Way: How systems fail human trafficking survivors. Retrieved here.
