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Legal Efforts Against Sex Trafficking

Multiple human rights organizations as well as governments have over the years have introduced various initiatives and legislation in order to combat sex trafficking. Until recently, many of these focused on prostitution or slavery, though recent efforts have begun to address sex trafficking directly.

Early Efforts

Early opposition to sex trafficking came from two broadly overlapping camps, those opposed to prostitution, and those that campaigned for the abolition of slavery. (cite) Abolitionists often condemned the use of slaves for sexual activity, often showcasing young light-skinned mulatto girls to gain sympathy for the cause. (cite) However the efforts of abolitionists cannot be overlooked: abolitionist legislation often forms the legal basis for further human trafficking protections, such as the 13th and 14th Amendments.

The progressive movement brought renewed vigor to the legal efforts against sex trafficking. The 1910 Mann Act, also known as the White Slave Traffic Act, made it a felony the transport across state lines any woman or girl "for the purpose(s) of prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose." (cite Mann Act)

[Jane Addams was one of the most notable reformers during the Progressive Era and deconstructed white slavery and sex work in her book "A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil”. She, among others, fought to classify all people coerced into prostitution as victims of sexual slavery, and believed that all sex work was sexual exploitation of women by more powerful men. Addams also believed that abolishing white slavery would bring more women into the suffrage movement. Alex Smolak, a physician, has studied many of the health risks faced by women in white slavery during the Progressive era. She says in her article titled “White Slavery, Whorehouse Riots, Venereal Disease, and Saving Women: Historical Context of Prostitution Interventions and Harm Reduction in New York City during the Progressive Era” that “The Progressive Era was a time when society was rapidly changing, with influences stemming from urbanization, industrialization, commercialization, immigration, and civilizing morality, all interacting with one another to fuel both prostitution and the anti-prostitution movement.” Along with “The U.S. White Slave act of 1910”, the “International Agreement for the Suppression of the White Slave Trade” was ratified by 13 nations, including the United States in 1904. Throughout the next 45 years the International Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Women and Children was adopted by the League of Nations and the term white slavery was replaced by trafficking, the word used commonly today. ] (Valentina)