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Many people think of human traffickers as exclusively male. This is just not reality. While numerous human trafficking cases do involve male perpetrators, some women are knowing and willing perpetrators of human trafficking.

The case of convicted child sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell is a prime example of this. Unfortunately, more female human traffickers exist and remain active in inflicting pain and suffering upon others.

One of the latest known cases of this involves Texas woman Stacey Lee Jurik, 39. Jurik is facing human trafficking charges due to her alleged involvement in crimes against children between October 2021 and March 2022.

What to know about the charges against Jurik

According to law enforcement officers, this woman remains linked to a child pornography federal investigation into photographer Grant Durtschi.

Jurik's involvement in all this allegedly entails her taking graphic images of an 8-year-old girl, among other children, and then using social media to sell these images.

Specific platforms reportedly used by the Texas woman include both Instagram and PayPal. Her alleged involvement in human trafficking came to light after FBI involvement in this case.

This investigation remains ongoing.

The pathology of female human traffickers

Most portrayals of human trafficking in the media present males as the sole perpetrators. This is not only inaccurate, but it is also dangerous. Incomplete portrayals of human trafficking can also cause people to not be on their guard when targetd by female human traffickers.

Oftentimes, women who perpetrate human trafficking use their femininity to garner trust in those they are targeting. This is precisely what Ghislaine Maxwell did when luring in underage girls and young women to be raped and abused by Jeffrey Epstein and other men.

Per studies into female human traffickers, the following developments have been found out:

• Female human traffickers are 16% more likely than their male counterparts to dodge arrest and prosecution for their actions.
• Of all human traffickers around the world, women account for roughly one-third of perpetrators.
• Female human traffickers often operate as madams, recruiters/groomers of victims, and set up the logistics of trafficking operations.
• Money management, hotel rentals, provision of forged documents, drugging/managing victims, etc., each stand as tasks which female human traffickers engage in.
• Some female human traffickers are the relatives/romantic partners of male traffickers.

Unfortunately, there are far fewer studies into female human traffickers than their male counterparts. Nevertheless, they are just as dangerous and should not be underestimated.

Anyone who wishes to report what they believe to be human trafficking can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline via phone at 1 (888) 373-7888 or by text at 233733.