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Document date: March 12, 2014
Released online: March 12, 2014
Estimating the Size and Structure of the Underground
Commercial Sex Economy in Eight Major US Cities
MEREDITH DANK, BILAL KHAN, P. MITCHELL DOWNEY, CYBELE KOTONIAS, DEBBIE MAYER, COLLEEN
OWENS, LAURA PACIFICI, LILLY YU
Abstract
The underground commercial sex economy
(UCSE) generates millions of dollars annually,
yet investigation and data collection remain
under resourced. Our study aimed to unveil
the scale of the UCSE in eight major US cities
Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, Miami,
Seattle, San Diego, and Washington, DC.
Across cities, the UCSE's worth was estimated
between $39.9 and $290 million in 2007, but
decreased since 2003 in all but two cities.
Interviews with pimps, traffickers, sex
workers, child pornographers, and law enforcement revealed the dynamics central to the
underground commercial sex tradeand shaped the policy suggestions to combat it.
Underground Commercial Sex Economy Key
Findings
"Sex sells" does little to explain the multimillion-dollar
profits generated by the underground commercial sex
economy. From high-end escort services to high school
"sneaker pimps," the sex trade leaves no demographic
unrepresented and circuits almost every major US city.
What we know about the underground commercial sex
economy is likely just the tip of the iceberg, but our study
attempts to unveil its size and structure while
documenting the experiences of offenders and law
enforcement.
Our study focused on eight US cities Atlanta, Dallas,
Denver, Kansas City, Miami, Seattle, San Diego, and
Washington, DC. Across cities, the 2007 underground sex
economys worth was estimated between $39.9 and $290
million. While almost all types of commercial sex venues
massage parlors, brothels, escort services, and street- and
internet-based prostitutionexisted in each city, regional
and demographic differences influenced their markets.
Pimps and traffickers interviewed for the study took home
between $5,000 and $32,833 a week. These actors form a
notoriously difficult population to reach because of the
criminal nature of their work. Our study presents data
from interviews with 73 individuals charged and convicted
for crimes including compelling prostitution, human
trafficking and engaging in a business relationship with sex
workers.
Pimps claimed inaccuracy in media portrayals.
CHAPTER SUMMARIES
BLOG POST
Metrotrends
New research sheds light on
Americas underground
commercial sex economy
MAJOR MEDIA COVERAGE
New York Times
In-Depth Report Details
Economics of Sex Trade
CNN Money
Most pimps believed that the media portrayals
exaggerated violence. Some even saw the term "pimp" as
derogatory, despite admitting to occasional use of physical
abuse for punishment. Although pimps may have
underreported the use of physical violence, they did cite
frequent use of psychological coercion to maintain control
over their employees.
Pimps manipulate women into sex work.
From discouraging "having sex for free" to feigning
romantic interest, pimps used a variety of tactics to recruit
and retain employees. Some even credited their entry into
pimping with a natural capacity for manipulation. Rarely,
however, were pimps the sole influence for an individuals
entry into the sex trade.
Women, family, and friends facilitate entry into sex
work.
Female sex workers sometimes solicited protection from
friends and acquaintances, eventually asking them to act
as pimps. Some pimps and sex workers had family
members or friends who exposed them to the sex trade at
a young age, normalizing their decision to participate.
Their involvement in the underground commercial sex
economy, then extends the network of those co-engaged
in the market even further.
Unexpected parties benefit from the commercial sex
economy.
Pimps, brothels, and escort services often employed
drivers, secretaries, nannies, and other non-sex workers
to keep operations running smoothly. Hotel managers and
law enforcement agents sometimes helped offenders
evade prosecution in exchange for money or services. Law
enforcement in one city reported that erotic Asian
massage parlors would purchase the names of licensed
acupuncturists to fake legitimacy. Even feuding gang
members occasionally joined forces in the sex trade,
prioritizing profit over turf wars. The most valuable
network in the underground sex economy, however, may
be the Internet.
The Internet is changing the limitations of the trade.
Prostitution is decreasing on the street, but thriving online.
Pimps and sex workers advertise on social media and sites
like Craigslist.com and Backpage.com to attract customers
and new employees, and to gauge business opportunities
in other cities. An increasing online presence makes it both
easier for law enforcement to track activity in the
underground sex economy and for an offender to promote
and provide access to the trade.
Child pornography is escalating.
Explicit content of younger victims is becoming
increasingly available and graphic. Online child
pornography communities frequently trade content for free
and reinforce behavior. Offenders often consider their
participation a "victimless crime."
The underground sex economy is perceived as low
risk.
Pimps, traffickers, and child pornography offenders
believed that their crimes were low-risk despite some
fears of prosecution. Those who got caught for child
pornography generally had low technological know-how,
and multiple pimp offenders expressed that "no one
Inside the Underground Sex
Economy
TIME
Study Sheds Light on Shadowy
World of Sex Workers
Businessweek
Underground Sex Trade Mirrors
Business Practices: Study
Washington Post
Study Sheds Light on Dark Sex
Trafficking Industry
The Atlantic
8 Facts About the U.S. Sex
Economy
National Journal
The Multimillion-Dollar,
Underground Sex Economy
International Business Times
US Pimps Earn Up to $33,000 a
Week in Thriving Illegal Sex
Trade
Marketplace
Pimps Use Technology, Too
The Sacramento Bee
Sex Trade in Eight Cities Worth
Nearly $1 Billion, Study Says
actually gets locked up for pimping," despite their own
incarcerations.
Policy and practice changes can help combat
trafficking and prostitution.
Cross-train drug, sex, and weapons trade investigators
to better understand circuits and overlaps.
Continue using federal and local partnerships to disrupt
travel circuits and identify pimps.
Offer law enforcement trainings for both victim and
offender interview techniques, including identifying
signs of psychological manipulation.
Increase awareness among school officials and the
general public about the realities of sex trafficking to
deter victimization and entry.
Consistently enforce the laws for offenders to diminish
low-risk perception.
Impose more fines for ad host websites.
TOPICS/TAGS: | CITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS | CRIME/JUSTICE | ECONOMY/TAXES | WASHINGTON D.C. REGION
Related Publications
Offenders, Former Sex Workers, Law Enforcement Detail Inner Workings of US Underground
Commercial Sex Trade in New Urban Institute Study
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Other Publications by the Authors
Meredith Dank
Bilal Khan
P. Mitchell Downey
Cybele Kotonias
Debbie Mayer
Colleen Owens
Laura Pacifici
Lilly Yu
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