Biography
Johan van Graan is a Professor in the Department of Police Practice at the University of South Africa. He teaches and supervises research at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He served 16 years in the South African Police Service. He holds a PhD in Police Science from the University of South Africa.
Abstract
Sex trafficking persists as a lucrative form of organised crime, sustained by ongoing demand for commercial sex. Using Rational Choice Theory, this article reframes sex buyers as active perpetrators and financial drivers of trafficking networks rather than peripheral actors. The article examines how buyers weigh risks and benefits when purchasing sex, especially in contexts with weak law enforcement. By analysing 53 active trafficking cases from 2021 and 36 prosecuted cases in South Africa (2007–2022), the research identifies clear patterns in buyer behaviour, network operations, and law‑enforcement responses. A central finding is the near-total absence of buyers in prosecutions, which reinforces their perception that low risk enables trafficking markets to thrive. The article argues that Rational Choice Theory provides a practical foundation for designing demand‑reduction strategies, including legal penalties, public exposure, and educational interventions. Positioning buyers as rational actors whose decisions can be influenced highlights the need for evidence‑based policies that target demand to disrupt trafficking economies.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
van Graan, Johan (2026) "Disrupting the Demand for Commercial Sex to Combat Sex Trafficking and Destabilise Organised Crime Networks," Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence: Vol. 11: Iss. 2, Article 2. https://doi.org/10.23860/dignity.2026.11.02.02