Adult Sex Trafficking

In this chapter we consider three case studies of people convicted of offences that entailed the sexual exploitation of adults in the UK. Sex markets are structured such that sex workers, particularly migrant sex workers, are often dependent on third parties to facilitate their work, through services including security, online advertising and providing reception or transport. These relationships can become exploitative as power imbalances become more apparent and conflicts arise. We show how such collaborations are normalized by the logic of illicit markets in the lives of those convicted for sex trafficking offences. We conclude that if the aim of the policy is to reduce exploitation within the sex industry, then it is necessary to provide a legal framework that regulates on what terms third parties can provide services to sex workers and to provide those workers with a right to work and fair remuneration.