ESPLER Project: End the Anti-Trafficking Scam

ESPLER Project: End the Anti-Trafficking Scam

SAN FRANCISCO — ESPLER Project today called on federal and state oversight bodies, including the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and California’s Department of Finance to deliver “proper oversight” of anti-trafficking organizations in receipt of federal or state funds.

ESPLER also called on government agencies to halt funding organizations whose sole purpose is to “peddle misinformation” and disseminate “outright lies” to generate further funding. 

By some estimates, ESPLER Project officials said, 50 of the most prominent anti-trafficking organizations in the U.S. have annual revenues of about $686 million, much of which is from federal and state grants.

ESPLER Project officials noted that in its 2013 IRS filing, the Polaris Project showed that a quarter of its revenues — $1,520,541 — came from government grants.

These are significant numbers, the officials said, but it is almost impossible to determine where that money goes because the required IRS filings rarely break down expenses. 

Most anti-trafficking organizations make big claims — and sometimes fabricated stories paired with discredited stats — about rescuing victims from trafficking, but the reality is very different, the officials said.

Most "rescue operations" are law enforcement “raids,” which entrap consensual adult sex workers and often end with incarceration of the supposed victims, the group said.

“This is a huge self-sustaining industry largely supported by our tax dollars, but it does very little to advance its stated purpose of helping trafficked victims. Instead it is all about keeping the grants flowing,” said Claire Alwyne, a board member of ESPLER Project, known formally as the Erotic Service Providers Legal Education and Research Project,  a coalition self-described as one advancing sexual privacy rights through litigation, education and research. 

“We’ve long called upon legislators to create transparency and accountability of publicly funded anti-prostitution and anti-trafficking groups. It’s about time the GAO and state oversight bodies started cracking down on them.” 

Maxine Doogan, president of the organization, said, “Simply reciting fake statistics shouldn’t be enough to get government funding.”

“But thankfully some legislators, like California Assemblyman Bill Quirk, chair of the state legislative Public Safety Committee, are trying to develop policy and allocate funding based on real data. The oversight bodies should really do the same.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Michigan Legislators Propose Online Porn Ban

Michigan lawmakers have introduced a bill that would make it illegal to distribute pornography via the internet in the state.

Florida AG Sues Aylo, Segpay Over State AV Law

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed lawsuits against Aylo and Segpay on Monday with the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida for noncompliance with HB3, the state's age verification law.

Colombian Court Sides with Performer Esperanza Goméz Over IG Suspensions

Colombia’s Constitutional Court last week ruled in favor of adult performer Esperanza Gómez in her legal battle against Meta over repeated suspensions of her Instagram account.

Missouri AG Announces Age Verification Rule to Take Effect Nov. 30

Newly appointed Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced Friday that the state's recently approved age verification regulation for adult websites will go into effect on Nov. 30.

Aylo, Woodhull Freedom Foundation to Host 'Online Censorship' Event

Aylo and Woodhull Freedom Foundation will co-host a virtual panel addressing online censorship on Sept. 30.

Severe Sex Films Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Severe Sex Films has relaunched its official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Judge Awards Plaintiffs Over $400K in Attorneys Fees in Derek Hay Civil Case

California Superior Court Judge Gail Killefer has awarded former clients of LA Direct Models over $400,000 in attorneys fees and court costs, to be paid by agency founder Derek Hay.

ChickPass Rebrands as 'ChickPass Cinematic Universe'

ChickPass has announced that it has rebranded its network of sites as ChickPass Cinematic Universe.

Brazilian Adult Industry Association ABIPEA Launches

Brazilian Association of the Adult Entertainment Industry and Professionals (ABIPEA) has officially launched its organization.

New Adult Social Media Platform 'Havven' Opens Beta Phase

Havven, a new adult social media platform, has opened its beta phase and will officially launch Oct. 5.

Show More