Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: The Challenges Faced In Prosecuting Those Who Prey on America’s Youth

Authors

Sherri Zack, United States Department of JusticeFollow

Abstract

This commentary is a discussion of the article "Human Trafficking, Sex Tourism, and Child Exploitation on the Southern Border." Most importantly, it is a comment on the lack of attention given to American children prostituted in our own backyards. All forms of sex trafficking are deplorable but the plight of the American child victim creates unique challenges for prosecutors, law enforcement and non-governmental agencies working hard to bring the crimes involved with domestic minor sex trafficking to the forefront. To that end, this commentary attempts to provide resources and guidance.

Author Biography

Sherri L. Zack is an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas tasked with the prosecution of child exploitation cases as a part of Project Safe Childhood, including the prosecution of individuals who engage in domestic minor sex trafficking. Based on her experience in those areas she has lectured at prosecution and law enforcement training conferences and recently participated in Texas’ First Annual International Conference on Human Trafficking. Prior to joining the United States Attorneys Office in September of 2008, Ms. Zack spent a year as an Assistant District Attorney in Harris County, TX. From 1994 to 2007, Ms. Zack was an Assistant State Attorney at the Broward County Florida State Attorney’s Office were she specialized in the prosecution of sex crimes and child abuse cases. She is a graduate of Nova Southeastern Law School, where she was named the Best Oral Advocate among all Florida law schools at the 1992 Robert Orseck Memorial Moot Court Competition. In 1991 she graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in History.

Recommended Citation

Zack, Sherri (2011) "Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: The Challenges Faced In Prosecuting Those Who Prey on America’s Youth," Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 13.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58464/2155-5834.1035
Available at: https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/childrenatrisk/vol2/iss1/13