Powerpoint for Issues in Women's Studies course

1. Child Sex Trafficking: Border
Problems
Presented by: Carmela Hill

2. Sex Trafficking Across U.S. – Mexico Border
The U.S. Department of State
estimates 20,000 women and
children are trafficked across the
border each year.
• Sex trafficking is a hidden
crime – making it
challenging to attain
accurate data.
• Traffickers move victims
quickly as an advantage
over law enforcement.

3. The Children
Young girls become victims of
trafficking when singled out by
smugglers while traveling across the
border.
• They are told that they can
travel for free, but must agree
to work off their debts upon
arrival.
• Shown favoritism by
smugglers and showered with
gifts
• Held in slave like conditions
and forced into prostitution

4. Traffickers
Sex and drug trafficking are often
intertwined.
Traffickers operate individually or
as an organization.
• Usually have U.S.
citizenship
• Many are apart of Drug
Trafficking Organizations
• Prey on victims young as
12 because of demand and
vulnerability

5. Sex Tourism
The Mexican border is a
center for child sex
tourism.
• Pedophiles from
all over travel to
the border for
cheap sex with
minors.
• Estimated 16,000
young girls are
involved

6. Effects on Victims
Child prostitutes live in
constant fear of their pimps
and law enforcement.
• Forced to take drugs
and become addicted
• Exposed to many STDs
• Many of them face
death after becoming
too old

7. Policy Recommendations
• Develop and provide training and
awareness programs for law
enforcement
• Programs for at risk girls
• Create collaborative programming to
combat trafficking