Key facts
- Federal sex-trafficking charges have fallen to their lowest point since 2010.
- The Justice Department charged 73 people with sex trafficking through June, a 22% decrease compared to the average for the first half of the previous three years.
- Prosecutions for related offenses, such as child pornography and Mann Act violations, have also decreased.
- Staffing shortages, funding cuts, and a prioritization of immigration enforcement have hampered investigations and prosecutions.
- A significant number of experienced federal prosecutors and agents specializing in sex trafficking cases have departed the department.
- Grants to non-profit organizations that support trafficking victims have also been reduced.
The Trump administration's stated priority of combating sex trafficking has not translated into sustained enforcement, with federal charges declining to their lowest point since 2010. Investigations and prosecutions have stalled due to significant staffing shortages, funding cuts, and a redirected focus on immigration enforcement, according to interviews with legal professionals and victims' advocates, as well as a review of federal court records.
Federal sex-trafficking charges have dropped by 22% in the first half of the year compared to the average of the preceding three years, with only 73 individuals charged. Related offenses, such as child pornography violations and Mann Act offenses, have also seen decreases. This decline is attributed to a broader shift in law enforcement priorities under President Donald Trump, characterized by budget reductions and an emphasis on deportations. Overall charges for crimes unrelated to immigration have fallen by 7%.
Experienced prosecutors and agents specializing in sex-trafficking cases have recently left the department, with many agents reportedly reassigned to immigration duties. This has created a critical shortage, leaving some offices unable to find prosecutors for their cases. The attrition rate is noted as higher than typical, though the department states it is actively hiring. Furthermore, funding for victim support services, which typically amounts to $90 million annually, has also been reduced, impacting organizations providing essential aid like housing, food, and counseling.
Victims' advocates express growing distrust of the government, with some survivors of trafficking being forced back into exploitation due to the lack of support and the perceived de-prioritization of their cases. While the administration has appointed a new national coordinator for child exploitation and human trafficking and stated its commitment to the issue, the data suggests a significant downturn in enforcement efforts.