Citation

Weitzer R. Polit. Soc. 2007; 35(3): 447-475.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0032329207304319

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The issue of sex trafficking has become increasingly politicized in recent years due to the efforts of an influential moral crusade. This article examines the social construction of sex trafficking (and prostitution more generally) in the discourse of leading activists and organizations within the crusade, and concludes that the central claims are problematic, unsubstantiated, or demonstrably false. The analysis documents the increasing endorsement and institutionalization of crusade ideology in U.S. government policy and practice.