Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2019
Abstract
Commercial sexual exploitation discriminates even among those that fall prey to this heinous criminal enterprise. It is impossible to comprehensively discuss this topic without addressing the fact that the majority of victims are female, females of color, traditionally are from a lower economic status, tend to not have as many educational opportunities, have experienced some form of abuse and trauma, have been a part of the foster care system, and have other vulnerabilities that make them even more susceptible to being trafficked. This discussion would be incomplete without also addressing how trafficking is connected to race and racial discrimination, poverty, the foster care system, gender, migration and inadequate access to real educational opportunities. Each of these factors contributes to the flourishing and lucrative business of trafficking. As a result, those subject to these conditions are more vulnerable and more likely to be trafficked. The vast majority of victims of human trafficking victims are African-American females. Many states prosecute victims of sex trafficking as "prostitutes" and do not distinguish between adults and children. This article addresses how our criminal justice system failed Cyntoia Brown and is also failing countless other women of color in the same or similar situations. This article may refer to "African American youth," not distinguishing between males and females; this is because so few studies break down statistics between the sexes. This only solidifies the point regarding intersectionality and oppression referred to in the article.
Recommended Citation
Page, Cheryl, "The Double Whammy of Being Female and African-American: How Black Women are More Vulneralbe to Trafficking and Other Forms of Discrimination" (2019). Journal Publications. 303.
https://commons.law.famu.edu/faculty-research/303
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