Sex-trafficking has been known as an international crime of violence against women and children. Social work professionals unknowingly encounter sex trafficking victims among their clients for potential identification and intervention. In a crisis setting, social workers play a fundamental role in assessing and providing treatment services to the victims of sex-trafficking that range in age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Victim identification presents a challenge for social workers because victims are a part of a hidden population. Although the sex-trafficked individuals can be reported to authorities if identified, attention needs to be focused as to how social worker professionals identify the sex-trafficking victims they may potentially to encounter.

Sex trafficking is a grossly misconstrued and increasing issue within the United States. The purpose of this study was to extend current knowledge regarding the public’s education on domestic sex trafficking and perceptions of domestic sex trafficking victims. The public’s awareness of domestic sex trafficking and perceptions of domestic sex trafficking victims were examined through the utilization of a 31 closed-ended question survey. The survey included questions about domestic sex trafficking and prostitution myths, domestic sex trafficking victim characteristics, domestic sex trafficking legislation, law enforcement’s involvement in domestic sex trafficking cases, and demographics. The sample consisted of 195 Criminal Justice and Criminology students at East Tennessee State University, located in Northeast Tennessee. The results showed that, despite having a mostly empirical based view on domestic sex trafficking, students misconceived domestic sex trafficking victims when comparing the age of victims, such as child victims versus adult victims.