An Analysis of Romantic Partnership Dynamics in Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Case Files

Abstract

Domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) is the commercial sexual exploitation of a minor citizen or legal resident within the United States. Previous research suggests that although DMST is often discussed as though it is a uniform phenomenon, traffickers may use different tactics and exploit different victim vulnerabilities depending upon their established relationships with those who are at-risk for trafficking. The purpose of this qualitative study, therefore, is to explore the relationship patterns and dynamics that emerge between DMST victims and their romantic partner traffickers. This study utilizes the secondary case files of 38 domestic minors who were trafficked for sex by their romantic partners in one state in the United States between 2012 and 2017. The study is conceptualized according to the principles of directed content analysis and multiple case study design and relies heavily on previous research findings related to victim-trafficker relationship typology. The authors conducted two rounds of coding before applying themes to the case files. The analysis revealed that DMST victims trafficked by romantic partners are often influenced by environmental circumstances, such as gang involvement and family systems involvement. Romantic partner traffickers use specific recruitment tactics to entrap their victims, and exercise methods such as caregiving, sexual violence, and psychological violence to maintain control over their victims. Study results provide a significant extension to the anti-trafficking field’s understanding of DMST and the romantic partner relationships that underpin it. The results suggest that anti-trafficking advocates should screen at-risk adolescents for gang involvement, family involvement in the sex industry. They should also educate at-risk adolescents about DMST as a potential component of teen dating violence.

Adolescent Experiences of Violence Victimizations Among Minors Who Exchange Sex/Experience Minor Sex Trafficking

“…In examining dynamics of DMST cases, Twis et al (2020) highlighted the similarities found between the context and dynamics of the DMST violence and the dynamics known to exist in adolescent IPV or teen dating violence situations. The findings presented here linking DMST and community violence, along with the noted similarities between trafficker-inflicted violence and adolescent partner violence, emphasizes the need to integrate DMST prevention efforts in advocacy and programing that target community violence and/or IPV in adolescence (Twis, 2020;Twis et al, 2020). Recognizing the intersection of DMST and adolescent interpersonal violence, future DMST prevention and intervention strategies focused on education should provide messaging and resources for violence beyond DMST, while screening and/or service provisions for adolescents should ask about and incorporate resources for interpersonal violence along with DMST.…”

“…Antitrafficking practice efforts should incorporate these findings to consider DMST as interconnected to other forms of violence, which can inform prevention and intervention efforts. In examining dynamics of DMST cases, Twis et al (2020) highlighted the similarities found between the context and dynamics of the DMST violence and the dynamics known to exist in adolescent IPV or teen dating violence situations. The findings presented here linking DMST and community violence, along with the noted similarities between trafficker-inflicted violence and adolescent partner violence, emphasizes the need to integrate DMST prevention efforts in advocacy and programing that target community violence and/or IPV in adolescence (Twis, 2020;Twis et al, 2020).…”

“…Though abuse or violence in childhood is frequently cited as a key factor that creates vulnerability for DMST, less is understood about the connections between violence in adolescence and DMST (Finkelhor et al, 2005;Twis, 2020;Twis et al, 2020). Previous studies have examined the complexities of romantic partner relationships that result in one partner trafficking the other and other work has explored the types of violence and abuse minors experience when being trafficked (Bejinariu et al, 2020;Doychak & Raghavan, 2020;Haney et al, 2020;Kellison et al, 2019;Roe-Sepowitz et al, 2017;Twis, 2020;Twis et al, 2020). However, to our knowledge, no empirical studies have investigated adolescent violence experiences that may exist beyond the DMST context nor the connections between these forms of interpersonal violence and a minor's experiences of DMST.…”

Prevalence and associated characteristics of youth who trade sex in a representative sample of high school students

“…These findings could be because students focused on the part of the question that focused on trading for safety, which could overlap with teen dating violence. This finding is consistent with the previous studies that also found dating violence as a risk factor of minor sex trafficking (Countryman-Roswurm & Bolin, 2014;Twis, Gillespie, & Greenwood, 2020). Given the extant literature suggesting that some youth, particularly cisgender women/girls, are trafficked through an intimate partner (Lutnick, 2016), it is also possible that some youth who experience violence are trading sex in the context of an intimate relationship.…”

A systematic review of family and social relationships: implications for sex trafficking recruitment and victimisation

“…A study in the US on the secondary case files of 38 domestic minors sexually trafficked by their romantic partners between 2012 and 2017 found that traffickers frequently exercise sexual and psychological violence to control victims. Victims perceived traffickers as romantic partners or boyfriends before being sexually exploited (Twis et al, 2020a). Traffickers used the illusion of romance to groom victims and facilitate their recruitment, then escalated violence and manipulation.…”