Sex Trafficking Research:
Where can a person be sold “for less than the amount of cattle”? Where can a person make millions of dollars without ever lifting a finger? Where is it okay to sell your wife, your child, your daughter for sexual exploitation? Where is it okay to have 27 million people in slavery? “If you’re not seeing it, you’re not looking for it” (Call + Response). Sex Trafficking is the single most lucrative enterprise in the world and it’s everywhere. Sex Trafficking is defined as, “Any practice that involves moving people within and across local or national borders for the purpose of sexual exploitation”.
Sex Trafficking in South Asia has not only become more popular through time but has blown the numbers out of the roof. India is considered a “receiving and transit nation”. Trading people from Nepal, Thailand, Bangladesh and other near by countries (Coalition). India traffics between 5,000-7,000 Nepalese girls everyday, and is currently holding captive 100,000- 160,000 women and children in Indian brothels. India is also a main distributor of people from Calcutta and Bangladesh to Middle Eastern countries. The distribution methods of countries are what set them apart, seemingly. In South Asia most are sold into “promised job opportunities” or “arranged marriages”. Most arrive in brothels and are beaten and drugged into submission. Some are even forced to undergo “training” which consists of learning “technique” and watching pornographic videos.
The United States on the other hand, is less open about the reality of sex trafficking, because prostitution is illegal in most states and districts, it has become even more of a secretive business. Even though “80,000 people are arrested for soliciting sex, in America” (One Voice). Mexico is listed as the number one supplier to the U.S for young children, but most trafficking is listed under the purchasing of “mail order brides”. Thousands are entering the states each year and it is now considered a “multi-million dollar business” (Coalition). In addition to mail order brides, trafficking and prostitution is also taking place and is running rapid in major cities like Los Angles, California, Brooklyn, New York, Miami, Florida, and many more large (and small) cities.
As you have already seen, trafficking is a huge industry, not only internationally but worldwide. Stories after stories are being told of children smuggled into the U.S or “across borders”, or of scandals in the “red light districts”. Currently there are 40 million prostitutes at work and legally working in 22 countries (One Voice). There is a difference of “how and why” reasoning between countries but the problem cannot be dealt with separately, we need to deal with this as one problem and one people.
In order to better understand how this problem can be dealt with I interviewed people of different age groups, careers, and countries (as well as more factors) to see how a change can/should be made. The following data is what I received:
Female, 65 (USA)
1. Describe Sex- Trafficking in your own words.
I would say that sex trafficking is the purchasing of young women or men, or actually any financially dependent individuals, for the use of others, specifically to provide for their sexual pleasure.
2. How many people are trafficked each year? (In your country)
I guess it depends upon whether you want to count the movie industry and pornographic publications. If so, there must easily be a couple of million in the US.
3. Do you think most people are aware of how serious this crime is?
How do you mean serious? In terms of how it enslaves young women for life, emotionally, even when they break free? Or serious in terms of what consumerism does in the families and relationships in our culture? Whatever, no. I think it would take almost a raving "Christian right winger maniac" to fully appreciate what's being done to our society.
4. Where do you think the largest amount of trafficking takes place?
I've always heard Thailand and India. But I can't imagine another country where the end product is so successful and accepted besides here in our country.
5. Do you think a better sense of awareness needs to be given and how?
A better sense of awareness, yes. But who will believe you? Who among the consumers will care?
Male, 19 (USA)
1. Describe Sex- Trafficking in your own words.
Enslavement of individuals for the profits of prostitution.
2. How many people do you think are trafficked each year (in your country)?
I would first say something like 5,000, but it seems like I heard 1.5 million one time. CRAZY
3. Do you think most people are aware of how serious this crime is?
No way. People are scared to ask, scared to know.
4. Where do you think the largest amount of trafficking takes place?
Thailand
5. Do you think a better sense of awareness needs to be given and how?
Yes. That video you showed me one time was super crazy. I think TV commercials do really well. Show me something disturbing and uncomfortable and it will stay with me forever. Like the anti- tobacco commercials. They’ve started doing these anti- meth commercials lately too that you probably haven’t seen. And billboards too. Anyway, they show this crazy stuff like a dirty bathroom with a line that says something like “You never would have lost your virginity here- until meth” And then this kid like robbing people in a laundry mat and it says “You never would have done this- until meth” You should look them up. They do billboards too. Making buttons with crazy facts for people to pin to their book bags would be sick too.
Female, 22 (USA)
1. Describe Sex- Trafficking in your own words.
Sex trafficking is one of the sickest and fastest growing crimes in the world. Every minute, many women and children are being kidnapped and/or sold into this scary system of sex slavery, where they will be raped and abused for someone else’s profit.
2. How many people do you think are trafficked each year (in your country)?
Many people are oblivious to just how rampant sex trafficking has become in America. We have been made to believe this is something happening in other countries – third world countries. But, it is happening in our own backyard. I believe there are probably hundreds of thousands of people being trafficked each year.
3. Do you think most people are aware of how serious this crime is?
Absolutely not. I can remember being so terribly heartbroken and disturbed when I saw the recent film, Taken, because I know when most watch this movie, they think it is fiction. Cool action and a scary plot. The burden of knowing this terrible thing (sex trafficking) is happening often and everywhere is a tough one to bear alone.
4. Where do you think the largest amount of trafficking takes place?
In large cities all over the world. Kolkata, Chiang Mai, Pouquet, Atlanta, Raleigh, New York, etc.
5. Do you think a better sense of awareness needs to be given and how?
YES. Education is essential in raising the awareness of the severity of sex trafficking. We only hear about the sex trafficking sites that are discovered or “busted,” but rarely do we hear and understand how many of them exist without ever being reported. Statistics don’t always bring understanding, but personal accounts and cases, especially by survivors, need to be heard and publicized.
Female, 30 (India)
1. Describe Sex- trafficking in your own words.
Trade in human flesh for money
2. How many people do you think are trafficked each year (in your country)?
Approx. 40% of children and adolescents each year, dependent on the state of origin.
3. Do you think most people are aware of how serious this crime is?
No. It’s a mode of business and their fate. 'All is fair in business' besides what can they do in their hopeless situation
4. Where do you think the largest amount of trafficking takes place?
Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and Calcutta
5. Do you think a better sense of awareness needs to be given and how?
Yes, probably by involving with the commercial sex workers itself about awareness and rehabilitation.
Female, 40 (India)
1. Describe Sex- trafficking in your own words.
Provision of women/men for sexual purposes for financial gain.
2. How many people do you think are trafficked each year (in your country)?
Many
3. Do you think most people are aware of how serious this crime is?
People are very aware that it is a crime, but ignore the fact most of the time.
4. Where do you think the largest amount of trafficking takes place?
Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta
5. Do you think a better sense of awareness needs to be given and how?
Most of the girls being shipped for the said purpose are from very poor families where the parents sell the daughters for a few hundred rupees. They know what they are doing is illegal but they need the money to survive. It is not a lack of knowledge that is the root cause here but the lack of initiative from the govt., which has never done anything to aid people below the poverty line.
Male, 36 (India)
1. Describe Sex- Trafficking in your own words.
It is the sale of sex for commercial gain, almost always by compelling unwilling and ignorant women and girls to become sex workers. It happens most in countries where girls are seen as a liability on parents. Often people get tricked by poverty and the promise of a job into allowing their children to be used. I think it involves movement of the girls across the country, although I am not aware if such international movements are possible without detection. International "customers" are known to travel to easy destinations like Thailand, Sri Lanka (not sure if India is also one) in order to "buy" their service.
2. How many people do you think are trafficked each year (in your country)?
It must be in millions.
3. Do you think most people are aware of how serious this crime is?
No, people are neither aware of the crime or its implication for our society, their own children's future etc. Politicians are not bothered because these people probably do not vote, and even if they did, they are a small number. I believe many politicians run trafficking networks in this country.
4. Where do you think the largest amount of trafficking takes place?
In India, it has to be in the metropolitan cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore. Worldwide, I think it is South Asia and South East Asia (India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia). Africa seems to have a different form of sexual abuse altogether, connected to war and militia.
5. Do you think a better sense of awareness needs to be given and how?
Awareness needs to be given most to the economically vulnerable sections of society, to protect their girl children. This definitely requires the involvement of the government with appropriate legislation. One of the best ways of creating awareness today is through television ads. Putting out ads during cricket matches, although very costly, will ensure maximum viewership. The media, particularly the news channels are also perceived to be interested in highlighting neglected issues.
Interviews reveal a lot. A lot of unawareness or awareness, a lot of hope and a lot of lack of hope, a lot of positivity and a lot of negativity. It was interesting to see the different perspectives of people and what they think about this topic. I would say, given the data, the people I can see really going after this crime and fighting to stop it, would be the younger generation. Even though some might agree this is a terrible thing happening, and it definitely should be stopped, I feel like the older generation is not as hopeful.
The reality is that the trafficking of people is the “fastest growing means by which people are enslaved” and the “fastest growing International crime” (Stop the Traffick). Trafficking is growing and will only to continue to grow unless we as a church and as a people do something to stop it. There are currently 27 million slaves in the world today. Making today hold the greatest amount of slaves than any other time in history. Now what do we do with this information? Ignorance is bliss and this is something that cannot be ignored. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, “ We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims under the wheels of injustice, but we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself.”
My proposal for stopping this epidemic is not just out of a great need, because there is one, but because justice demands it. Dr Cornell West once said, “Justice is what love looks like in public” and that is exactly what I believe and want to see come to restitution. This is not an easy problem to fix or it would already be taken care of, but because it is such a lucrative and secretive business it will take time and a lot of effort.
The first step in making this change is awareness. As you have already seen through the interviews, people, for the most part, are unaware of the severity of trafficking or just completely unaware all together. Personally, I believe in joining groups that already have a good thing going. Why would you start a competition among people fighting for the same cause? Some of my favorite organizations and movements are: One Voice, Stop the Traffick, and Call + Response. These three organizations have all creatively opened doors to spread the word of Sex trafficking and make a difference to stop it.
Firstly, the One Voice movement is a group trying to “end slavery and restore lives, peacefully”. They offer up to date news on the topic, interviews, videos, events (concerts, fundraisers, rally’s), and many more sources of out reach. The second organization is Stop the Traffick, which is trying to stop the trafficking of people for all purposes. They also are spreading awareness by sharing companies that traffic people and offering alternative companies to buy from. The last organization was formed through a documentary called, Call + Response. This documentary has an in your face exposure to sex trafficking. It also shows a lot of celebrities and musicians that are working together with their voices to make a difference and to create awareness.
Secondly, we cannot just turn our faces from the faces of those in need. Henry Nouwen once said, “ In the face of the oppressed I find my own face, and in the hands of the oppressor I recognize my own hands. Their flesh is my flesh, their blood is my blood, their pain is my pain, their smile is my smile.” If we truly are one body in Christ and honestly believe this, we cannot live as if our brothers and sisters aren’t being treated this way. We should be deeply disturbed in our eyes being opened through awareness and not only want to make a difference but actually be that difference. Isaiah 1:17 says, “Learn to do right! Seek justice, Encourage the oppressed. Defend the fatherless, Plead the case of the widow.”
How can awareness be raised to a people who don’t even know or care about their neighbors, even? I have a lot of hope and belief in my generation. I believe that a movement is not only necessary but that a movement is already in affect. If you think of any teenager, worldwide, what would you consider commonalities? Though the music style may vary, music is worldwide. Though the celebrities may be different, or the television shows may change, those are things that will forever be popular, common knowledge. Even though some don’t follow a moral code of conduct, everyone has a conscience and can be persuaded.
Some ways I think awareness can be shown are through simple things like commercials and billboards. As you read in one of the interviews, advertising (specifically commercials) can be really effective. It’s hard for someone to turn their face when the images are thrown at them over and over. Billboards can be created with statistics, or even scripture references. One of my favorites relating to the subject is James 5:4-6 that says:
“All the workers you've exploited and cheated cry out for judgment. The groans of the workers you used and abused are a roar in the ears of the Master Avenger. You've looted the earth and lived it up. But all you'll have to show for it is a fatter than usual corpse. In fact, what you've done is condemn and murder perfectly good persons, who stand there and take it.”
It really can’t get much more clear than that. Marketing is especially effective among young impressionable minds, school and college age. The fact is, it’s not human nature to see something disturbing and turn the other way. It’s human nature to take care of your neighbor, to love people, to be upset when something terrible is happening.
Another great non-profitable way of making a change is through music. Not just famous musicians but even un-signed local bands. Earlier mentioned, music is universal and a great way of connecting people. Throwing a benefit concert is something anyone can do, and funds can easily be given to any of the organizations earlier mentioned or plenty or others.
Shane Claiborne told this story in his book Irrestible Revolution:
A man asked another man, “why does God allow poverty and war and suffering to exist in the world?... “Well, why don’t you ask? … “No. I’m scared God will ask me the same question”. This is exactly the point. Why do we allow poverty, war, suffering, pollution, trafficking to happen? We are his hands, his feet and his body and it’s time to act like one.
Following Jesus is simple, but not easy. (Mother Teresa)
References:
Coalition
Film documentary, “Call and Response”
One Voice
Stop.the.traffick
The Message
Way to go Ash!