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Sex Trafficking Victims or Prostitutes? The Truth Might Surprise You [infographic]

Sex trafficking victims are often arrested in prostitution stings and charged with a criminal misdemeanor or felony offenses because they are wrongly identified within the criminal justice system.

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Recognizing Sex Trafficking Victims

According to sex crime statistics in America, many people arrested for prostitution are victims of sexual exploitation by human traffickers. Teenagers and young people are very vulnerable to sex trafficking, especially if they are homeless and living on the streets. Studies show that 50 percent of homeless youth have engaged in survival sex, providing sex in exchange for food, shelter, and money. Young pimps commonly use fake romantic interests, promises of false jobs, and the lure of money and success to entice young people into a life of forced confinement and psychological coercion.

A recent FBI sex trafficking operation in California arrested 99 pimps and more than 650 adults for prostitution-related charges. They also rescued 84 minors who were sex trafficking victims including an infant and her 3-year old sister who were scheduled for sale to sex buyers for $600. A 2014 study on Minnesota sex trafficking for minors shows that sales often occur at hotels in Minneapolis suburbs, at sex buyers’ homes, and on streets with easy access to drivers, bus routes, and public parks. In the Twin Cities, victims are often sold or transferred to perpetrators through structured business operations like adult bookstores, strip clubs, massage parlors, and closed sex buyer networks found on the dark web.

To prevent arrests and criminal charges for sex-trafficking victims, the FBI and the federal government urge states to adopt Safe Harbor Laws that serve four important purposes:

  • Protecting minors against criminal charges for prostitution
  • Reclassifying minors as sexually exploited children or victims of sex trafficking
  • Routing sex trafficking victims from delinquency to supportive services
  • Providing specialized services for the sexual exploitation of children

By adopting or developing Safe Harbor Laws, states can also help adults who have fallen into prostitution through forms of coercion by pimps and sex traffickers. Cities must promote sex trafficking prevention to teenagers and youth through middle school and high school programs that outline recognition and dangers of pimps and coercion measures. Communities must develop programs that help people at higher risk of committing sex crimes or becoming sex trafficking victims due to personal or economic circumstances.

Max Keller image
Attorney Max Keller
Max Keller

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Experience: Practicing since 1997
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

Person using smartphone with blurred police lights background. charged with a drug crime based on text messages

Can You Be Charged With a Drug Crime Based on Text Messages Alone?

You can be charged with a drug crime based on text messages alone in Minnesota, especially when the messages show intent to purchase, sell, distribute, or traffic drugs. Prosecutors often use text messages to demonstrate intent to commit a drug crime, show a history of drug activity, link you to a specific phone, and corroborate physical evidence. Text messages often strengthen the probable cause required for the police to arrest and charge you. They are, however, not sufficient for a conviction without compelling supporting physical evidence.
Handcuffed man in beanie looking distressed during interrogation. police lie to you during an interrogation

Can the Police Lie to You During an Interrogation in Minnesota?

Criminal defendants who interact with police officers for the first time are often left wondering, “Can the police lie to you during an interrogation?” Police officers can lie to you during an interrogation. In fact, deception is a lawful and fully permitted police technique provided the officers do not use it to force a confession. Police often claim possession of non-existent evidence or witnesses to trick you into disclosing information that can aid their investigation.