Sex Trafficking in Nonurban Environments
Open Access
- Author:
- Manolesco, Daniel
- Area of Honors:
- Security and Risk Analysis
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Peter Kent Forster, Thesis Supervisor
Edward J Glantz, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Sex Trafficking
Pennsylvania
Blair County
Nonurban - Abstract:
- This research investigates sex trafficking in Pennsylvania with a specific focus on Blair County. It presents what sex trafficking is, the different stages of sex trafficking, the different types of sex trafficking, the actors involved in sex trafficking, facilitating factors of sex trafficking, social media use in sex trafficking, and sex trafficking in nonurban environments. It addresses the following questions: (1) what factors contribute to Blair County having a higher rate of sex trafficking when compared to other counties of the fifth class; and (2) what role did social media play in the cases of sex trafficking in Blair County. The project consisted of a case study of a sex trafficking ring in Blair County. The results demonstrate how the group operated and avoided law enforcement for as long as it did. The conclusion is that: the cooperation of trafficked individuals and witnesses is crucial for prosecuting sex traffickers, the treatment of trafficked individuals as criminals inhibits their cooperation, and that current drug laws potentially inhibit the cooperation of trafficked individuals and witnesses. This project was originally focused on sex trafficking in Northeastern Pennsylvania. However, as is a common theme in combating sex trafficking, there was not enough data available. This led to the project focusing on sex trafficking in nonurban environments.