The Plague of Human Trafficking in Las Vegas

by Jessica Kane, special correspondent to Stiffs & Georges

Sex trafficking is an alarming, widespread problem across the United States. Sex trafficking has become a particularly pervasive problem in Las Vegas. Due to the growth of human trafficking in recent years in Las Vegas, residents of and visitors to the city need to have a basic understanding of sex trafficking. 

The Nevada Attorney General and Human and Sex Trafficking 

The Nevada Attorney General has sharpened the focus of his office on combating human trafficking in the state, with particular attention being paid to Las Vegas. As part of this effort, the Attorney General has established a hotline at (888) 373-7888. People with any information about possible human trafficking in Nevada, including in Las Vegas, are asked to reach out to the Attorney General’s office via the hotline. 

Minor Sex Trafficking in Las Vegas 

The state of Nevada is particularly concerned about sex trafficking involving minors. This doesn’t mean that law enforcement across the state hasn’t made sex trafficking a top priority. When it comes to sex trafficking involving minors, Las Vegas is where most of the efforts of law enforcement are undertaken. 

When it comes to the sex trafficking of minors in Las Vegas, the laws in the state of Nevada do “not require force, fraud, or coercion.” Nevada state law specifically enumerates different types of illicit activities that constitute minor sex trafficking in Las Vegas include soliciting prostitution from a person under the age of 18, unlawful use of a minor in the production of pornography, using a minor in a live sex performance, and employing a minor for immoral activities. 

Exactly How Widespread is Sex Trafficking in Las Vegas 

The Clark County Department of Family Services admits that it lacks complete data on the number of victims of sex trafficking in Las Vegas. Indeed, the agency only started attempting to keep track of statistics regarding the number of victims of sex trafficking in Las Vegas in 2017, according to in-depth reporting by the Las Vegas Sun. 

With a lack of certainty regarding the actual number of victims of sex trafficking in Las Vegas, what is known is the number of county social workers who’ve received training in the past 12 to 18 months to assist victims of this horrific crime. As of this time, 400 social workers have received special training to assist victims of sex trafficking. This number of specially trained social workers leads to a logical conclusion that there are hundreds of current victims of sex trafficking in Las Vegas at this juncture in time. 

How to Recognize Individuals Vulnerable to Sex Trafficking 

According law enforcement in Las Vegas, the people most vulnerable to sex trafficking in the city as children who are under the age of 13 and who are female. With that said, males in that same age group are also the victims of sex trafficking in the city. 

A shocking one in three teenagers that end up on the streets of Las Vegas will be lured into prostitution within about 48 hours of departing from home. This information is provided by the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth. 

In addition to homeless youth who don’t take advantage of shelters, a high percentage of young people who end up the victims of sex trafficking have fled abusive or otherwise volatile homes. Others have run from foster care placements. 

Specific warning signs of children being victims of sex trafficking of some sort, including prostitution, are: 

• trouble sleeping during the night

• disappearing from home between Friday through Sunday

• a tattoo used as branding

• dressing in expensive clothing

• “promiscuous” dressing

• change in language

• change in attitude

• referring to a “boyfriend” as “daddy”

• dating older men

• cigarette burns

• bruised arms

• blistered feet 

• missing school

• missing work

• time in juvenile detention for shoplifting

Combating Sex Trafficking in Las Vegas 

Combating sex trafficking in Las Vegas is being undertaken with a comprehensive approach that involves a number of organizations. These include law enforcement, human services agencies, child welfare agencies, religious organizations, organizations serving the homeless population in the city, schools, and parents. Only with the broad involvement of groups and individuals such as these can a dent be made in the prevalence of sex trafficking in Las Vegas.