Transnational responses to commercial sexual exploitation: A comprehensive review of interventions

SynopsisCommercial sexual exploitation (CSE), a global social justice issue, reflects gross violation of basic human rights and extreme violence against women. Little research exists on interventions and approaches enabling women to successfully exit from, and rebuild their lives after involvement in, CSE. In this article, we investigate and compare strategies and interventions adopted in the United States (U.S.) and India for commercially sexually exploited women. A transcultural analysis of interventions that prevent entry into CSE and curb the demand for commercial sex, reduce the harm in CSE, and facilitate exit and transition post-exit are presented. The article emphasizes the lack of evidence in the literature on existing interventions, along with the need to evaluate the efficacy of these interventions within different cultural contexts. Research of this nature can promote international dialogue and disseminate information beneficial to combat CSE, a social evil that dehumanizes countless women and girls within varied settings.