Concretizing intersectional research methods: Incorporating social justice and action into United States sex trafficking research

ABSTRACT

Theoretical frameworks have been developed for utilizing intersectionality theory in empirical social science research. This article 1) examines how one theoretical framework can be used to assess the extent to which United States sex trafficking research employs an intersectional approach and 2) extends this framework to include a Social Justice and Action stage to inform the dissemination of research findings. Findings from this review revealed that, overall, US sex trafficking research selectively incorporates an intersectional perspective and conceptualizes sex trafficking as an individual-level issue with limited focus on how individual experiences are also influenced by interlocking systems of oppression.

KEYWORDS:

• Sex trafficking
• sexual exploitation
• intersectionality
• social justice
• research methods

Notes

1. Individuals affected by commercial sexual exploitation or sex trafficking will be referred to as “survivors” in this article to acknowledge the resiliency necessary to endure and overcome these experiences. However, the author acknowledges that embracing or identifying with this term is an individual’s choice.