Examining factors predicting sexual exploitation among victims of human trafficking.

This study investigates factors predicting sexual exploitation among victims of human trafficking, focusing on traffickers' means of control, types of sexual services, recruiter relationships, and female age groups. Using anonymized data from the Counter-Trafficking Data Collaborative (CTDC) spanning 2002–2019 and guided by Biderman’s Theory of Coercion, the analysis found that tactics such as threats, sexual abuse, and use of psychoactive substances increase the likelihood of sexual exploitation, while debt bondage, taking earnings, false promises, use of children, threats of law enforcement, and withholding necessities are associated with lower odds. Victims exploited in pornography and those recruited by intimate partners had higher odds of sexual exploitation, whereas those involved in prostitution, private sexual services, or recruited by friends had lower odds. Additionally, females aged 30 and above were less likely to experience sexual exploitation compared to younger girls. The findings highlight the complexity of control mechanisms traffickers use and suggest the need for coordinated regulatory and preventive efforts targeting vulnerable populations.