Commercial sexual exploitation is not a new issue, but it has evolved significantly over time. The rise of online platforms and financial mobile apps has largely replaced older methods of solicitation. The normalization of commercial sex and the increasing demand for it have fueled a global sex trade, further exacerbated by widening economic disparities both worldwide and here in Boston. Racial and economic injustices have driven many young women into the violent world of sex trafficking. The majority of those most affected in Boston are young women from our own neighborhoods. Like many cities in the U.S., it is our own flawed policies that have left women vulnerable, as more than half of those who come through our safe home program report having aged out of systems, unprepared for life and lacking positive family support.

Exit programs are crucial in providing access to safety and resources, offering a path out of the cycle of poverty, violence, and exploitation. These programs are vital to breaking the intergenerational cycles that have become all too familiar in our communities.

Sex trafficking is a Complex issue that requires:

Education and public awareness about the realities and harms of the sex trade, the intersection between trafficking and commercial sex, and the groups most affected by it.

Strategies for intervention and prevention: The EVA Center works with individuals seeking to leave the sex trade, providing them with safety and stability. The women who come through our Center have often experienced multiple forms of gender-based violence. Our programs focus on offering long-term support and a wide range of resources to help women heal, lead healthier lives, and build stronger, more resilient communities.

Legislation: A comprehensive set of laws that shifts the focus to the buyers, continues to hold traffickers accountable, and works to eliminate the offense of solicitation (selling) while ensuring exit programs for those who wish to leave the sex trade. To effectively reduce the sex trade, we can look to countries with proven models, such as Sweden, France, Ireland, Iceland, and others, whose approaches should be replicated.