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The illicit massage industry (IMI) is arguably one of the largest and most networked forms of human trafficking in the United States.
An illicit massage business (IMB) is an establishment that puts on the façade of a legitimate massage business in order to facilitate commercial sex services. As of 2023, we assess there are over 13,000 IMBs operating in all 50 states. As a whole, this national industry generates over $5 billion a year in illicit revenue.
To be clear: the IMI is not random nor harmless. Traffickers are organized, coordinated, and terribly effective. Whether in big cities or small towns, they are enabling and profiting off the exploitation and trafficking of women all across the country.
It’s everywhere. It’s extremely profitable. And it’s exploiting women with vulnerabilities. As of 2023, there are over 13,000 illicit massage businesses (IMBs) in all 50 states. Whether in big cities or small towns, this criminal industry is thriving in plain sight.