The international sex industry involves trafficking in and exploitation or sale of persons for forced prostitution, other forms of sexual enslavement, and pornography. The world sex market is a multibillion-dollar industry which pervades both developing and developed countries. Participants in the global sex market include transnational criminal groups and organized crime syndicates; intermediaries such as pimps, procurers, brothel owners and translators; parents and family members who sell their youngsters into prostitution; authorities who release jailed victims back to pimps or criminal networks; customers; governments that are nonchalant or negligent regarding protection of victims; and pedophiles who seek an outlet for their perversion. The article describes distinctive features of the world sex market such as "sex tourism"; supply and demand; causes of sexual exploitation, including poverty and cultural attitudes; escape; geographical activities; and sex trade impediments. Notes