Report Shows Sex Trafficking of Latinas Thrives in U.S. Cantinas and Bars

A report released this week, “More Than Drinks for Sale: Exposing Sex Trafficking in Cantinas & Bars in the U.S.,” provides insight into an underground sex economy operating out of U.S. cantinas and bars. This economy exploits young women and girls from Latin America.

According to a press release, the report (click here) details how these brothels operate unchecked by posing as traditional bars or nightclubs. The victims, however, are trapped in a world of violence and exploitation.

“From December 2007 to March 2016, Polaris identified 1,300 potential victims from Latin America in cantina-related cases in 20 U.S. states and Puerto Rico through its operation of the National Human Trafficking hotline and BeFree Textline,” said the release. “In the same period, federal law enforcement prosecuted several such cases in Houston, but much more work is needed to end this kind of trafficking.”

As stated in previous articles on this topic (visit here and here), these girls, who generally come from troubled homes, fall into a trap of believing they will find love, good jobs, or a better life. The perpetrators of human trafficking lure these girls to the U.S. and force them to engage in commercial sex.

Additionally, the report shows how powerful criminal networks and individual traffickers use brutal threats, physical violence and other forms of abuse to keep their victims in check. The report also shows how law enforcement in the U.S. and immigration officials tend to miss the signs of trafficking in cantinas.

Bradley Myles, CEO of Polaris said, “Every day in the U.S., young women and girls are held prisoner by criminal networks that sell sex in cantinas and bars right in our backyards. If we want to stop the victimization of Latina women in these highly abusive venues, we have to change the equation for traffickers by disrupting the business model and making the crime high-risk and low-profit.”

Director of Polaris’s Strategic Initiative in Mexico MyLo Cook added, “Law enforcement need training and resources to identify more victims to effectively pursue cases, and service providers need to be equipped to respond to the unique trauma experienced by these victims in a way that is culturally and linguistically competent.”

Overall, the More than Drinks for Sale report looks at several specific business models in cantina-based sex trafficking throughout the U.S.

Research found that 96 percent of potential victims were female, typically from Mexico or Central America, and 63 percent were minors. Traffickers in cantinas target young girls.

Also, the traffickers are typically Latino males, and primarily U.S. citizens. The report noted that 67 percent of traffickers were male, but nearly a third were women. About 70 percent were of Latin American descent, and at least 35 percent were U.S. citizens.

As for recruitment, traffickers lured 34 percent of potential victims through smuggling-related tactics, and some victims may have not realized they crossed the border illegally. Additionally, 29 percent received fake job offers, and didn’t learn their reality until they arrived on site.

Throughout their ordeal, 14 percent of victims interacted with law enforcement or immigration officials, but in most cases, this interaction did not lead to freedom or identification as victims; and 19 percent reported accessing health care services, but that figure is likely higher, said Polaris.

The goal of this report is to help continue the fight against sex trafficking in the U.S., added Polaris.

For more information, to receive help, or to report suspected human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888, or send a text to Polaris at “BeFree” (233733).