“”Sex sells” does little to explain the multimillion-dollar profits generated by the underground commercial sex economy. From high-end escort services to high school “sneaker pimps,” the sex trade leaves no demographic unrepresented and circuits almost every major US city. What we know about the underground commercial sex economy is likely just the tip of the iceberg, but our study attempts to unveil its size and structure while documenting the experiences of offenders and law enforcement.
Read the full study here: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/413047-Underground-Commercial-Sex-Economy.pdf
Our study focused on eight US cities— Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, Miami, Seattle, San Diego, and Washington, DC. Across cities, the 2007 underground sex economy’s worth was estimated between $39.9 and $290 million. While almost all types of commercial sex venues—massage parlors, brothels, escort services, and street- and internet-based prostitution—existed in each city, regional and demographic differences influenced their markets.
Pimps and traffickers interviewed for the study took home between $5,000 and $32,833 a week. These actors form a notoriously difficult population to reach because of the criminal nature of their work. Our study presents data from interviews with 73 individuals charged and convicted for crimes including compelling prostitution, human trafficking and engaging in a business relationship with sex workers.”
Read more about the Urban Institutes findings here: http://www.urban.org/publications/413047.html
Cenk Uygur (http://www.twitter.com/cenkuygur) and Ana Kasparian (http://www.twitter.com/anakasparian) break down the shocking results of this landmark study by the Urban Institute. Tell us what you think in the comment section below.
Comments
Three things. First, Cenk sounded like a bit of a smug prick when noting he was surprised prostitutes could be educated. Second, I wouldn’t say “often times they want to get out” when you’re also noting they’re making thousands upon thousands per week. They’re not a slave to the almighty dollar, they’re human adults who make their own choices. Third, the fact that your parents or relatives are sex workers/pimps does not mean you make that decision as a result of them. Oftentimes, when a person “comes out” as a prostitute, a relative will say “oh, me too,” and that’s the point at which they gain that information.