International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation (IJCAM)
Vo. 5, (2023). Published March 26, 2023.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54208/1000/0005/002
PDF of Article | PDF of Issue (in development)
Human Trafficking, Cults, & Coercion: The Use of Drugs as a Tool
Robin Boyle-Laisure
Abstract
Thanks to the successful prosecution of sex traffickers, the definition and proof of “coercion”
now encompasses evidence showing the use of addictive drugs as a tool. This article describes
two case examples, and in both, the perpetrators supplied abundant amounts of addictive
substantives. Once those victims became addicted and feared the pain of withdrawal, the sex
traffickers forced the victims to perform commercial sex acts to pay off the drug debt they
incurred, feeding the addiction the traffickers caused. Coercion by way of intentional drug
addiction and control is a theory that expands the operative word “coercion.” This short article
summarizes key points of my presentation at the Annual International Conference for the
International Cultic Studies Association held in June 2022.