The Essential Abolitionist: Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking

John Vanek 
Consultant on Leadership and the Response to Human Trafficking 

John Vanek is a retired San Jose Police Department lieutenant who spent 25 years in law enforcement. In 2006, he helped set up one of the first human trafficking task forces in California; he has been working on this issue ever since. Mr. Vanek notes that minors who are victims start being exploited at a very early age – the national average is 13-14 years old. He identifies the main factors that are particular to the trafficking of American children in the United States. He also talks explains the term “victim-offender.” Above all, Mr. Vanek emphasizes the complexity of this issue. 

Recorded: April 15, 2014