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<p>Selling sex and drugs have primarily been studied as distinct criminal activities. Although there is a large body of literature on drug and sex markets, few studies examine blended markets. Drawing on interviews with 183 sex market facilitators in Chicago and New York City, this study examines how both <i>direct experience</i> in drug markets and gangs and <i>indirect exposure</i> through social support networks are associated with variation in coercive management strategies. We find that facilitators embedded in both drug markets and gangs exhibited what we term a “dangerous trinity,” characterized by significantly higher levels of severe coercion. Despite reporting emotionally close and dense support networks, this group maintained more brutal and authoritarian facilitation styles. Facilitators involved only in drug markets relied more on psychological manipulation and economic control rather than overt physical violence. Qualitative narratives indicate that early mentorship, participation in blended markets, and peer norms within criminal networks normalize violent and exploitative strategies. Consistent with this distinction between experience and exposure, facilitators reporting greater contact with drug-selling peers in their support networks were more likely to use coercive tactics. These findings highlight the compounded risks associated with overlapping illicit market involvement and underscore the importance of harm-reduction strategies that disrupt coercive network structures.</p>

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When sex and drug markets and gang involvement blend: how do sex market facilitators operate and socialize differently?

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月5日

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  • Amber Horning,
  • Loretta Stalans,
  • Zedny Immatong,
  • Yaning Yue

摘要

Selling sex and drugs have primarily been studied as distinct criminal activities. Although there is a large body of literature on drug and sex markets, few studies examine blended markets. Drawing on interviews with 183 sex market facilitators in Chicago and New York City, this study examines how both direct experience in drug markets and gangs and indirect exposure through social support networks are associated with variation in coercive management strategies. We find that facilitators embedded in both drug markets and gangs exhibited what we term a “dangerous trinity,” characterized by significantly higher levels of severe coercion. Despite reporting emotionally close and dense support networks, this group maintained more brutal and authoritarian facilitation styles. Facilitators involved only in drug markets relied more on psychological manipulation and economic control rather than overt physical violence. Qualitative narratives indicate that early mentorship, participation in blended markets, and peer norms within criminal networks normalize violent and exploitative strategies. Consistent with this distinction between experience and exposure, facilitators reporting greater contact with drug-selling peers in their support networks were more likely to use coercive tactics. These findings highlight the compounded risks associated with overlapping illicit market involvement and underscore the importance of harm-reduction strategies that disrupt coercive network structures.