NCJ Number
238796
Date Published
April 2012
Length
245 pages
Annotation
This report is designed to provide a descriptive overview of initiatives targeting the demand for commercial sex in the United States.
Abstract
To combat prostitution and human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, criminal justice interventions and collaborative programs have emerged that focus on reducing demand for commercial sex. Prior studies have found that the use of anti-demand approaches is more widespread throughout the United States than previously thought. However, little research, or descriptive information, is available about the majority of interventions. It is also evident that communities attempting to address "demand" had usually done so with little guidance from collective experiences; consequently, some initiatives have struggled or failed when faced with challenges that have been solved elsewhere. This study, funded by the National Institute of Justice, is intended to fill those gaps. The project was designed to develop a descriptive overview of anti-demand tactics employed throughout the United States and to provide practitioners with actionable information to assist them in starting, improving, or sustaining initiatives. The study project generated several key products to share this information, primarily: this report, which summarizes the research activities and presents findings; and a Web site, DemandForum.net, designed to expand upon the overview provided in this report and to provide assistance to practitioners and others in the form of information about the range of models and program structures implemented, obstacles faced, and how they can have been overcome. In addition to these products, the authors have engaged in a number dissemination activities, such as, conference presentations and policy leader briefings. After project completion, the authors plan to continue distributing information via the Web site and submission of manuscripts for publication.