Advancing the efforts of the macro-level social work response against sex trafficking

2016/02/26 by Leah Edwards, Karla M Mika
Medicine · Psychology · Social Sciences · #HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk #Sex work and related issues #Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology

paper · doi:10.1177/0020872815617992

crossref issued 2016/02/26 · crossref published 2016/02/26 · crossref published-online 2016/02/26 · openalex publication_date 2016/02/26 · crossref created 2016/02/26 · crossref published-print 2017/05/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref deposited 2026/04/29 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28 · crossref indexed 2026/07/28

Abstract

This article explores the conceptualization of sex trafficking in social work, through research, theory, and policy. We will view sex trafficking from a macro level addressing the global phenomenon. Theoretical frameworks, perspectives, and models will be utilized to analyze the foundation of current policy and research. To adequately address the challenges that sex trafficking presents, social work needs to move toward a multidisciplinary approach. Social work should focus on empowering the voices of survivors in both policy and research. Survivors of sex trafficking are empowered through the increase in their value as individuals and not commodities.

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