Mis-Framing of Sex Trafficking in News Reports: Crimes, Offenders, and Victims

Abstract

Media shapes public perceptions about sex trafficking; how and under what circumstances sex trafficking occurs and by who and to whom are framed by news reports. This study examines a four-year span of U.S. news reports of law enforcement and judicial actions against sex traffickers (2017-2021). Articles were coded to determine the frames presented to readers. The results confirm that journalists continue to reduce trafficking to a crime problem, over-represent certain kinds of victims and perpetrators, and fail to educate readers about the definition of, causes of, and remedies for sex trafficking. Such reporting needs to improve the way it educates audiences about causes, solutions, perpetrators, and survivors. This is vital to better prepare the public—and law enforcement—to participate in combatting sex trafficking through reporting, funding services, and shaping effective public policy.