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Abstract

The following commentary serves as a response to the article, “Sex Trafficking of Minors in the U.S.: Implications for Policy, Prevention and Research,” drawing the important, though not often mentioned, connection between the sex trafficking of minors and human rights. The commentary argues that child trafficking has been inadequately addressed due to its relative invisibility, a lack of knowledge about human rights, and a lack of discourse about the human rights issues involved in sexual trafficking. As such, in the current day, the recognition that women and girls who are sexually exploited by traffickers are victims has seemingly been forgotten. The commentator commends the authors of “Sex Trafficking of Minors in the U.S.: Implications for Policy, Prevention and Research” for their work to better understand the characteristics of minor sex trafficking victims, which will play an important role in fighting deadly misperceptions about the victims, educating others about this lethal human rights violation, and finding ways to care for those victims who are rescued.

Author Biography

Rick Halperin is Director of the Embrey Human Rights Program at Southern Methodist University, and teaches courses in the History Department. He was chair of the Board of Amnesty International, USA for three years, and served on the Board for twelve years.

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A Response To:

Sex Trafficking of Minors in the U.S.: Implications for Policy, Prevention and Research by Kimberly Kotrla and Beth Ann Wommack.