Familial sex trafficking in the United States: A scoping review guided by the Three Ps Framework to end human trafficking

Background

Familial sex trafficking is a form of sex trafficking that involves a family member exchanging sex with a child, to someone else, for something of value. Due to its covert nature, human trafficking is severely under-reported, however, in 2021 over 10,500 sex trafficking survivors were reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and the majority had a familial recruiter (33 %) (Polaris, 2022). To our knowledge, this is the first scoping review on familial sex trafficking.

Objective

The objectives of this study are to map the available peer-reviewed evidence on familial sex trafficking and to synthesize that evidence within the Three Ps Framework and grey literature.

Methods

In summarizing evidence on familial sex trafficking, a scoping review was the chosen design.

Results

Eight studies were included and identified victim and perpetrator characteristics, practice needs such as services, screening, and training, as well as barriers to prosecution, such as lack of adequate community and interpersonal resources. The grey literature uncovered a similar phenomenon and supplemented peer-reviewed findings.

Conclusions

This review demonstrates a need for original research that can provide context. Moreover, it highlights how the social determinants of health impact familial sex trafficking.