Domestic Minor Familial Sex Trafficking:
A National Study of Prevalence, Characteristics, and Challenges across the Justice Process
Familial sex trafficking, similar to intrafamilial sexual abuse (incest), is an unspoken yet distinct form of abuse against children. Unlike other crimes that occur in public places, intrafamilial abuse usually occurs in private places, and the victims may try to hide evidence of it or deny that it took place.
Learn more, explore online training course Domestic Minor Familial Sex Trafficking
Prevalence
The data for this study was derived from a national survey and in-depth interviews of justice professionals from 24 states, representing 3,505 cases of domestic minor sex trafficking during the period of 2018-2021, of which 917 cases were confirmed familial. Prevalence from this study suggests 26 percent of cases were family-facilitated, but justice professionals believe the number to be higher due to insufficient disclosure, lack of evidence, and how cases are recorded. Reports from individual states also suggest a higher prevalence. Other studies suggest as high as 47%.
Victim Profile
This study aimed to determine the profile of children who are victims of domestic minor familial sex trafficking. Research indicates that pre-pubescent and adolescent females are the populations at greatest risk.
Exploiter Profile
The most common perpetrator of familial trafficking in this study was—by wide margin—the child’s biological mother (60.29%). All respondents reported at least one case involving the biological mother of the victim as perpetrator.
An important distinction between incestuous child abuse and FST is the presence of an economic exchange, regardless of the form of commerce.
What makes domestic minor familial sex trafficking (FST) distinct from incest or domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) are two factors:
1 the presence of an economic exchange, and
2 the unique relationship between the victim and the perpetrator.
Venue
While children may be exploited in a range of venues, there is yet no distinct pattern or characteristic for where familial trafficking takes place.
Challenges
For justice to have an opportunity, there must be a breach in the law and sufficient evidence to prove the offense. That is challenging in familial cases as there are a myriad of dynamics at play.
Because this research is so important, we seek opportunities to share the findings. Since 2023, Dr. Jeanne Allert has spoken across the country on this topic.
Contact lthomas@instituteforsurvivorcare.org to request a speaker
2026
1/15, 2026
Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center – Community Awareness Event
Hopkinsville, KY (Silo Event Center)
1/21, 2026
Human Trafficking Symposium for Circuits 3 and 8 in Florida
VIRTUAL
3/17, 2026
NCJFCJ (National Council of Juvenile and Family Ct Judges)
Minneapolis, MN
4/14-15, 2026
Protecting Delaware’s Children Conference hosted by the Child
Dewey Beach, DE
4/20, 2026
NY State Interagency Taskforce on Human Trafficking Presentation
Virtual
2025
1/9 – 1/10, 2025
The Demand Project – 8th Annual Beyond Awareness Educational Summit
Virtual due to weather conditions
1/14, 2025
Houston Children’s Assessment Center (CAC) Training Series
Virtual
3/17-3/20, 2025
International Symposium on Child Abuse AL
Huntsville, AL
4/10-12, 2025
Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF) Conference
Covington, KY
4 /29, 2025
State Child Abuse Prevention Conference – Prevent Child Abuse Iowa
Ankeny, Iowa
5/9, 2025
Nevada’s Children are Not for Sale
Reno, NV
Carolina’s CAC Symposium
Myrtle Beach, NC
6/4, 2025
Alliance for Children CAC – Ft. Worth
Ft. Worth, TX
7/18, 2025
Richland County Anti-Trafficking Task Force webinar
Virtual webinar
10/22 – 24, 2025
Jenny Williamson Courage Worldwide
Reno, NV
11/17 – 18, 2025
Connecting for Children’s Justice Conf /Children’s Advocacy Centers of TN
Nashville, TN
2024
May 2024
National Judicial College Leadership Conference for Judges & Prosecutors
Reno, NV
April 2024
Southern IN Human Trafficking Conference, New Albany, IN
Stand up for a Brighter Tomorrow, Prestonsburg, KY
Shed a Light Conference, GA
March 2024
Christian Community Health (CCHF), Cinncinatti, OH
National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges, Cleveland, OH
January 2024
GA Human Trafficking Conference, GA
AWAKE CAC Conference, Cherokee, NC
CAC Fayetteville, NC
2023
September 2023
US Dept of Health & Human Services ACF Human Trafficking Workgroup for Regions 4 & 6, TX
The International Association of Human Trafficking Investigators Annual Conference, FL
August 2023
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Light the Way 2023 Summit, TX
July 2023
13th Annual Child Advocacy Conference, MI
May 2023
Conference on Crimes Against Women, TX
April 2023
Children’s’ Justice Conference, WA
March 2023
Christian Community Health Fellowship Conference, OH
February 2023
Shared Hope International – Zoom Webinar
January 2023
Alabama End It Summit, AL
Have a question?
If you have any questions regarding this study, please contact Jeanne Allert at jallert@instituteforsurvivorcare.org