Journal of Sex Research
Volume 52, Issue 4, 2015, Pages 380-395

Female sex trafficking: Conceptual issues, current debates, and future directions (Review)

Meshkovska B.* , Siegel M. , Stutterheim S.E. , Bos A.E.R.
  • a Maastricht Graduate School of Governance, Maastricht University, P.O. Box616, Maastricht, 6200MD, Netherlands
  • b Maastricht Graduate School of Governance, Maastricht University, P.O. Box616, Maastricht, 6200MD, Netherlands
  • c Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, Netherlands
  • d Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, Netherlands

Abstract

Female sex trafficking is a pressing concern. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of relevant issues regarding the concept of female sex trafficking and research in the field of human trafficking, drawing on a variety of disciplines, including economics, gender and sexuality studies, psychology, sociology, law, and social work. We discuss the debates surrounding the definition of human trafficking, compare and contrast it with human smuggling, and outline connections between female sex trafficking and the issue of sex work and prostitution. We further discuss the history and current estimations of female sex trafficking. We then outline the main actors in female sex trafficking, including trafficked persons, traffickers, clients, and service providers, and we overview the trafficking process from recruitment to identification, recovery, and (re)integration. Finally, we conclude with recommendations for future research that tie together the concepts of vulnerability, exploitation, and long-term recovery and (re)integration. © 2015 © The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

statistics and numerical data female human trafficking human Humans
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84928784046&doi=10.1080%2f00224499.2014.1002126&partnerID=40&md5=7e0a46285f9fbbfd35f7f8fa0d11d522
DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2014.1002126
ISSN: 00224499
Cited by: 13
Original Language: English