Month/Year of Graduation

12-2025

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Department

Criminology and Criminal Justice

First Advisor

Kim Retzlaff

Abstract

This research explores the line between consensual sex work and sex trafficking to gain a better understanding of the prevalence and pathways through which sex work may transition into sex trafficking. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with law enforcement professionals that work closely with survivors of sex trafficking to examine the pathways from consent to coercion. An interview with a former sex worker, now college professor, was also conducted to examine the lived experience and academic perspective. Both the law enforcement and academic perspectives were analyzed and compared to one another to form a nuanced understanding of the complex issue of when sex work becomes sex trafficking and the best way to remedy this issue. All the participants acknowledged the ways that socioeconomic status impacts an individual’s decision to participate in sex work. Law enforcement perspectives are most closely aligned with full criminalization and partial decriminalization perspectives, whereas the academic perspective is aligned with full decriminalization. Both perspectives opposed the legalization of sex work. These findings highlight the complexities of addressing sex work and sex trafficking and the need for informed, collaborative interventions.

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