When the words, "teenage sex trafficking" are uttered, most people imagine girls from developing countries being trafficked into the U.S. for commercial sex. In reality, sex trafficking occurs much closer to home than many people think.
According to a landmark study conducted by the Urban Institutes' Justice Policy Center, the underground commercial sex economy generates between $39.9 million and $290 million in seven major American cities, including San Diego, Seattle and Dallas. In addition, victims today are younger than ever and they are just as likely to be "homegrown" girls next door.
A Passage of Pavements, a short documentary, examines the widespread and devastating effects of teenage prostitution in the U.S., revealing how teenage girls can become victims of sex trafficking and suffer trauma, confusion, depression and distrust of others.
A Passage of Pavements is currently being developed into a feature film with the working title, Stolen Girls.