Methods of Control in the United States Sex Industry
		Methods used to control women in the U. S. sex industry include denying freedom of movement, isolation, threats, physical and sexual violence, and drug and alcohol dependancies. According to one study of law enforcement agents' perception of the U.S. sex industry, seventy-six percent of respondents stated that large numbers of women and children are "not free to leave the sex industry." A similar study of social service providers, advocates for the women, and researchers found seventy-one percent agreeing with the law enforcement agents' perspective.      Violence is a primary means of control. A study of U. S. sex workers themselves found eighty-six percent of sex workers claim to have been physically abused by pimps and traffickers as a means of control. Nearly all experienced psychological or verbal threats. Sixty-four percent of American sex workers claim to have been held in isolation and under guard in brothels or compounds. Ninety-two percent of U.S. sex workers report using drugs and alcohol in order to cope with their situation, further limiting the women's possibility of escape. Fourty-three percent of U.S. women tried unsuccessfully one or more times to escape from involuntary sexual servitude. This study was conducted with women no longer isolated and under immediate physical control by the sex industry. Women who remain in isolation and under control were not able to lend their voices within the study so these percentages would probably be much higher if those still under control would be able to participate.
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