A Perfect Storm: The U.S. Anti-Trafficking Regime Failure to Stop the Sex Trafficking of American Indian Women and Girls

This article examines the lack of attention to trafficking of American women within US borders. Although sex trafficking affects women from all backgrounds and segments of society, Native women have experienced sexual violence and exploitation at a rate higher than any other ethnic group. Factors that make women vulnerable to trafficking, such as poverty, homelessness, sexual abuse, substance abuse and gang membership, are present in disproportionate rates in American Native communities. The author argues that the USs modern anti-trafficking efforts have failed to address and prevent the sexual, legal and social exploitation of American Native women. The author proposes that the definition of sex trafficking be more inclusive of domestic victims, that the focus be shifted from the consent of the woman to the actions of the exploiter, and that there should be increased funding for domestic and Native victim services.

Andrea L Johnson, A Perfect Storm: The U.S. Anti-Trafficking Regimes Failure to Stop the Sex Trafficking of American Indian Women and Girls (2012) 43:2 Colum HRL Rev 617.