Sex Trafficking: An American Story

When people hear that someone was trafficked, it’s often assumed they were kidnapped and forced into labor against their will. Trafficking can be much more insidious. People are often exploited by someone they already know.

In this photo documentary, we listen to the story of Cary Stuart, an American survivor of forced commercial sexual exploitation, who was lured into the world of trafficking by a romantic partner or “Romeo Pimp.” In the series, she reflects on her experience, the way it has impacted her mental state, and the ongoing challenges of working through drug addiction. Addiction to drugs can be both a vulnerability to trafficking and a common tactic used by traffickers to make victims more compliant.

While the prevalence of sex trafficking in the U.S. is still unknown, we do know that women, children, and men are being sold for sex against their will in all 50 states. In 2014, the Urban Institute studied the underground commercial sex economy in eight U.S. cities and estimated that this illicit activity generated between $39.9 million and $290 million in revenue depending on the city.

Matilde Simas

Boston-based Matilde Simas is a visual journalist who has a BS in Psychology and Women’s Studies and attended the Rhode Island School of Design to study photography. Her images have been published in the Trafficking in Persons Report, an annual U.S. State Department report, and in Kenyan research publications to advance anti-trafficking efforts. With photography exhibited by various United Nations agencies, Matilde founded Capture Humanity, an organization supporting grassroots community initiatives with storytelling media.