AWK SURVIVOR ADVOCATE ATTORNEYS
Sex Trafficking Attorneys
Free, Confidential Case Evaluation
Sex trafficking is modern‑day slavery. It traps survivors in cycles of violence, coercion, and exploitation—often at the hands of traffickers, pimps, and the very businesses or institutions that should have protected them. If you or a loved one has been trafficked for sex, you are not alone, and you have powerful legal options.
The New York sex trafficking attorneys at AWK Survivor Advocate Attorneys represent survivors in cases involving hotels, motels, online platforms, transportation companies, and any business or individual that profited from or enabled trafficking throughout New York State and nationwide.
Sex Trafficking Is More Common Than You Think
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and Polaris Project:
- The United States sees thousands of reported sex trafficking cases each year, with thousands more going unreported.
- Over 80% of sex trafficking survivors are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
- The average age of entry into sex trafficking in the U.S. is 12 to 14 years old.
- Hotels, motels, online classifieds, and social media platforms are the most common venues where trafficking occurs.
New York is a major hub for sex trafficking, with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and other transit centers frequently cited in trafficking investigations. When a business, landlord, or platform knows or should have known about trafficking and does nothing, it can be held legally liable under federal and state law.
What Is Sex Trafficking?
Sex trafficking occurs when someone is forced, coerced, or deceived into engaging in commercial sex acts. It does not require movement across borders—trafficking can happen in a single town, city, or even a single apartment.
Trafficking may involve:
- Forced prostitution or commercial sex
- Survival sex (trading sex for food, shelter, or drugs)
- Online sexual exploitation (live streams, content sales)
- Escort services, massage parlors, or strip clubs
Perpetrators include:
- Pimps, traffickers, or gang members
- Intimate partners or family members
- Hotel or motel owners/staff who look the other way
- Online platform operators that facilitate ads for commercial sex
- Truck stop operators or transportation companies
Signs of Sex Trafficking
Survivors often cannot leave because of physical force, threats, or psychological manipulation. Warning signs include:
NCMEC
IN VICTIMS
- Unexplained tattoos (branding)
- Signs of physical abuse or restraint
- Fear of law enforcement or authority
- Not speaking for themselves
- Being accompanied by a controlling person
Polaris Project
IN CIRCUMSTANCES
- Multiple people living in a small space
- No control over own ID or money
- Working excessively long hours
- Unusually high security (cameras, bars)
- Frequent hotel or motel check‑ins
If you see these signs in someone—or recognize them in yourself—trust your instincts. Help is available, and legal action can break the cycle.
What to Do If You or Someone You Know Is Being Trafficked
- Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline – 1-888-373-7888 (24/7, confidential, over 200 languages).
- Get to a safe location if possible – Shelters and safe houses exist for trafficking survivors.
- Seek medical and mental health care – Trauma‑informed providers can document injuries and psychological harm.
- Do not confront the trafficker – Traffickers are often violent. Leave intervention to law enforcement.
- Report to law enforcement – Federal and state task forces specialize in trafficking investigations.
- Contact a sex trafficking attorney – You may be able to sue hotels, online platforms, or other businesses that enabled your trafficking.
Do not delete evidence. Screenshots of online ads, hotel receipts, text messages, and social media accounts can be critical proof in a civil lawsuit.
Long-Term Effects of Sex Trafficking
Survivors of sex trafficking often endure devastating and lifelong consequences, including:
- PTSD, complex trauma, and dissociative disorders
- Chronic physical health problems (STIs, chronic pain, traumatic brain injury)
- Substance abuse and addiction (often forced by traffickers)
- Difficulty trusting others, including family and helpers
- Extreme shame, guilt, and self‑blame
- Suicidal ideation (rates are extremely high among trafficking survivors)
A civil lawsuit cannot erase the trauma, but it can provide financial resources for long‑term therapy, safe housing, education, and job training—and hold enablers accountable.
How AWK Survivor Advocate Attorneys Can Help
Our sex trafficking attorneys have over 30 years of combined experience representing survivors of exploitation and abuse. We use federal and state trafficking laws to pursue justice.
Polaris Project
We handle cases against:
- Hotels and motels that ignored trafficking
- Online platforms (classifieds, social media)
- Transportation companies (buses, rideshares)
- Landlords and property owners
- Businesses that profit from trafficking
NCMEC
We pursue compensation for:
- Medical and psychiatric care
- Long‑term therapy and counseling
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages and future earnings
- Relocation and safety costs
We also help survivors navigate federal T‑visas (which provide immigration relief), crime victims compensation funds, and civil claims under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) .