If someone is forced, manipulated into, or threatened into performing any sex act in exchange for money, safety, or to evade punishment, this is trafficking. And it happens regularly in the porn industry.
Sex trafficking affects men and boys too. Learn how male victims are exploited, underreported, and often overlooked.
We’re not claiming all porn ignores consent. But according to the research some of the porn you’re watching may be sex trafficking, can you tell the difference?
Virtually every major porn site has reportedly hosted and profited from trafficking, child sexual abuse material, image-based abuse, and/or degradation.
Sex trafficking is legally defined as a situation in which “a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age.” That means that sex trafficking doesn’t always involve kidnapping or physical force.
If you hate the idea of sex trafficking, if it is shocking and horrible to you, then consider what millions of people consume around the world every day.
Complex social issues like sex trafficking need multi-faceted solutions that include protection, prosecution, and prevention. Can we solve it?
If something seems off, it’s a good idea to report it. And remember, these signs can appear anywhere in any context, whether it’s someone you just met or have known for years.
The issue of sex trafficking is not a myth, but there are myths about sex trafficking. If you want to get involved in helping to rescue victims, start with factual information supported by anti-trafficking experts and survivor-led organizations.
Sex trafficking is often misunderstood. It’s not just about transport or captivity—many victims are manipulated without physical confinement. And the idea of “consent”? It’s a myth when fear and power imbalances are at play. Discover the shocking truths behind these myths and why consent is never as simple as it seems.
Sex traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to lure their victims into exploitation. Porn is the marketing department of the sex trafficking industry.
“Sex traffickers are motivated by one thing,” Dr. Shively said. “They are trying to make money. It’s a market, and the commodity is people. Without demand, there is no motivation to come up with that supply.”
