During the last several years, sex trafficking has become a very prevalent political issue both in the United States and around the world. Because this is such a worldwide issue, in 2000 the United Nations came up with a policy known as the Palermo Protocol to further define trafficking. This Protocol is widely accepted as the standard when it comes to defining sex trafficking. However, the United States continues to abide by their own definition of sex trafficking—only prosecuting pimps and other third parties when violence or fraud to maintain their brothels.
What is this Issue About?
The world’s standard of sex trafficking definition is outlined in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (2000) which defines the Palermo Protocol as being “the opposition to the exploitation, particularly sexual exploitation, of vulnerable human beings, even when the trafficked person has willfully participated in or ‘consented’ to the forms of exploitation proscribed under the Protocol”. This puts less blame on the victim of sex trafficking (prostitutes) and puts more blame on the pimps, ‘johns’, and other third parties for promoting the exploitation of other humans. The Protocol argues that even if people believe that they chose to engage in prostitution, johns and pimps take advantage of the prostitute’s desperation and hence should be treated as criminals (TVPA 2000). This definition helps reinforce the idea that prostitutes are victims and should be given help and services by the government rather than being prosecuted by the government.
However, the United States maintains a different set of standards. Because the 
U.S. actually receives financial profit from the sex industry, the United States refuses to abide by the Palermo Protocol and promotes the idea that ‘nonforced’ prostitution should be seen as a type of labor rather than a form of abuse.
Why is this Important?
Because the United States refuses to abide by the Palermo Protocol, thousands of women and children are being trafficked every day inside the United States. This also allows pimps and johns get away with promoting prostitution and the trafficking of other humans simply because they did not use violence or coercion. This is important because virtually all of the United Nations agree that any third party involvement in prostitution reinforces the systematic sexual abuse of women and children.
What are the Facts?
According to the Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation:
- In 2001, 16,000 girls and women were involved in prostitution in Chicago alone.
- Women who engage in prostitution are subjected to ~300 instances of unprotected sex annually
- 20% of women surveyed in Chicago reported having been raped 10 times or more.
What can You do to Help?
Advocate
Organizations like the Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues and Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation exist to decrease sexual assault and sex trafficking. These are just two semi-local organizations that you can get involved with.
Advocate for policies such as the Palermo Protocol and the ‘End Demand Illinois’ Campaign that seek to punish demand for prostitution and to increase services for women and children who are involved in prostitution.
Start a Conversation
This issue will not be resolved overnight. However, every person can contribute to this fight by knowing the facts surrounding this issue and promoting the end to prostitution. Make a call to your local Congressman to convey how much you care about this issue. Lastly, promote the idea that prostitution is not a choice—the exploitation of human beings is never a choice.