Use of Drug Dependency to Entrap and Control Victims of Sex Trafficking: A Call to a U.S. Federal Human Rights Response

Author: Meshelemiah, Jacquelyn; Gilson, Carra & Prasanga, Amila

Abstract: Survivors of sex trafficking who were forced into drug use as victims are in need of social services to treat their drug dependency and other mental disorders. Access to social services is a human rights issue that must be acted upon by state and federal officials. The law, however, requires approval of the T-Visa for receipt of benefits. Along with the T-visa application process, the applicant (human trafficking survivor) must be willing to assist in every reasonable way in the investigation and prosecution of the trafficker. The authors argue that drug dependency treatment and other social service benefits should be a separate issue and not dependent upon the T-visa and cooperation with the investigation and prosecution of the trafficker.

Keywords: drug use, drug dependency, sex trafficking, United States, entrap, control, victims, human rights, certification, social services