Cultural Oppression and Child Sex Trafficking

Child sex trafficking is a global crisis with devastating consequences physically, psychologically, and socially. Psychologically, child sex trafficking survivors often face post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, suicidal ideation, and substance dependence, among other consequences. Children and adolescents from marginalized communities face increased risk of sex trafficking due to intergenerational poverty and trauma, discrimination, objectification, low access to helping professionals, and disparities in responsiveness from judicial and health professionals. Cultural oppression is a historical and contemporary reality that shapes the vulnerability to sex trafficking and the lack of adequate, culturally responsive care services for rescue and restorative processes. This chapter, by psychologists with expertise in the cultural context of trauma recovery, provides an overview of sex trafficking, the ways in which cultural oppression intersects with this trauma, and recommendations for combating this pervasive human rights violation.