A Vocabulary Lesson

A program on KUOW's Weekday back in January discussed the ways in which modern vernacular has neutralized terms such as pimp and john. They made suggestions for substitutions so that it is clear that these are not glamorous or desirable things to be. Not only did it make me want to share this new, more appropriate vocabulary, I thought it a good opportunity to clarify other terms as well.

Pimp = Exploiter

John = Predator

Child Prostitute = Victim (children have not reached the age of consent, therefore cannot sell their bodies)

Commercial Sex Act = any sexual act for which something of value is given or received; this includes, but is not limited to, prostitution, stripping, survival sex (sex in exchange for a play to stay, food, etc.), and pornography

Human Trafficking = This term often refers specifically to individuals being coerced, kidnapped, or mislead into crossing state, national, and international borders (where they are difficult to track). But this term is a blanket term for any time an individual is bought and sold as property