Narco-violence, forced displacement, and sex trafficking: a qualitative study in Mexico

ABSTRACT During the last decade, over 160,000 people were forcibly displaced internally because of narco-violence in Mexico. Displaced families suffer social and economic vulnerabilities that make them easy prey for trafficking and exploitation. This paper analyses the association between forced displacement caused by narco-violence and trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation in Mexico. We gathered data from 16 victims of forced displacement and trafficking in Monterrey, Mexico. The findings show that traffickers use different tricks and promises to trap displaced young girls and women, including orphans, children, and widows, and force them into sexual exploitation.