SYNOPSIS

Reports of sex trafficking continue to grow at alarming rates in all corners of the country, affecting American citizens of every race, gender, age, and socioeconomic class. Experts and law enforcement struggle to combat this underground criminal enterprise as it expands online. Yet traffickers perpetually evolve their tactics to lure, manipulate, and force a shocking number of young girls into selling their bodies to meet the high demand for commercial sex.

Shattered Dreams: Sex Trafficking in America is a first of its kind, feature length documentary that explores the deeply rooted psychological issues that victims of sex trafficking face on a daily basis at the hands of pimps and buyers. Through first- hand, heartbreaking testimony of abuse from three survivors of the illicit sex trade, the incredibly complex nature of this form of modern-day slavery is revealed. Investigative interviews with leading experts from across the country provide further insight on what drives the industry, exposing shocking revelations about the society we live in and the misconceptions many of us harbor that allow sex trafficking to thrive.

Despite the overwhelming suffering experienced by survivors, the film highlights how there can be hope for a better life after being trafficked. Although there is increased awareness in places like San Diego, the film sheds light on just how far behind we are in tackling this issue nationwide.

Will we act now to prevent future generations from falling victim to a life of shattered dreams?

THE IMPORTANCE

Why make a film about the dark underworld of sex trafficking? 

Our society has only just begun to embrace survivor accounts of violence against women and shift mindsets about human rights issues like sex trafficking.  After plaguing humanity for countless years, the anti-sex trafficking movement is just now gaining momentum, sparking more conversations now than ever before as we realize the shocking magnitude of this epidemic. 

The goal of producing our documentary Shattered Dreams was to shed light on the complex nature of sex trafficking in hopes of dispelling misconceptions that dominate our culture. What we have long considered to be the world’s “oldest profession” is actually a disturbing crime happening in plain sight, perpetually stigmatized and misunderstood. With the average age of recruitment between 12 and 17, our youth are getting targeted at alarming rates as traffickers lure them online easily through tools like social media.  Experts estimate that hundreds of thousands of young girls are trafficked for sex every year in the US, with many succumbing to STDs, drug overdoses, PTSD, suicide, and even death. 

A growing number of personal stories of abuse continue to surface from survivors of sexual exploitation, revealing the devastating impacts of trauma and mental handcuffs that take hold of victims. Yet how can we curb this crisis without addressing the high demand for sex that is underlying the problem?

Despite increased awareness in the last few years, surprisingly very few resources exist to provide solutions and cases remain largely underreported.  Shattered Dreams gives survivors a voice by allowing viewers to hear firsthand how young girls become trafficked, with the hope that we can prevent future generations from falling victim to this horrific crime.