Traffickers = Monsters?

Human trafficking today has become a serious global issue. Despite the fact that slavery is legally banned in every country in the world, experts are claiming that there is a range of 10-27 million slaves worldwide. This number is not only including slaves used for sexual services, but for mining, agricultural, domestic, factory work etc. We know that the lives of these unfortunate people are harsh and demeaning. Their stories of survival break our hearts and make us feel ashamed that modern-day humans can be this cruel. They embarrass us because our utter lack of knowledge and awareness on such a large, horrendous industry is revealed. But what do we really know about those particular people who are doing the trafficking? Sure we know what signs to look for to avoid a trafficking scam and how the traffickers operate, but there is more to the story. How do traffickers get into this line of business? What aspect of this lifestyle draws them in and keeps them hooked?

Since there is currently not a lot of information digging into the lives of traffickers, specifically of the sex trade¹, we can explore their decisions based on their similarities to gangs. In the world of trafficking there are many levels of traffickers²; the common street trafficker and the “top boss” who hires other people to do the work for him, usually of a lower class. Those who are involved in this field choose this lifestyle because it will provide a source of much needed finances. The supply and demand for sex slaves is high, which means that there is financial security in the job. The chance of getting caught, especially in underdeveloped areas, is very low, so this makes the job more appealing. There is a quick return with low risk, and all this trafficker has to do is a bit a transporting and tell a few white lies to convince a family to let their child move for better employment. From the economic standpoint of someone struggling to survive, this job seems to be the best that will ever be gotten. Aside from the financial aspect, there is a sense of community made, since trafficking requires networking. A family of sorts is established, and that family is worth protecting. Similarly to gangs who sell drugs, the benefits outweigh the risk and protecting the family is a priority³. Are the two really that different? They both live lives that some in society frown upon, but the choices made seem to be out of need rather than greed.

¹ http://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/uploads/report_final.10.13.08.pdf

² http://www.law.uq.edu.au/documents/humantraffic/news/2010/2010-Mar-8-The-global-hierarchy-of-sex-trafficking.pdf

³ Life in the Gang by Scott H. Decker and Barrik Van Winkle

Should Prostitution be Decriminalized?

Prostitution, considered one of the “oldest professions,” has been around since ancient Greek and Roman society. But yet, selling sex is still considered taboo in modern society. A prostitute, not to be confused with a sex slave, is someone who sells sexual services in exchange for money. Why should this exchange be demeaned immoral and thus criminalized? Sexual desires are as natural as hunger and thirst yet we do not discriminate against selling food and water. Many prostitutes, excluding sex slaves, make a conscious choice to sell their bodies in exchange for money. If a prostitute is a consenting adult, he or she should be allowed to sell their bodies. Considering modern advancements in our thinking and acceptance in society, sex workers are still seen in a negative light. Prostitution needs to be seen from the perspective of prostitute. A woman should not be arrested for choosing to exploit her own body. Instead those who choose to take advantage of her vulnerable, exploitative state should be the targets of arrests. Sex work should be accepted in our society before it can be diminished and eventually eradicated. Unfortunately, legalization and decriminalization are complicated and intricate processes with many risk factors.

Currently in the United States, prostitution is legal in only 11 counties in Nevada. An estimated 90,000 prostitution arrests occur each year throughout the United States with only a small percentage of customer arrests. “Most return to prostitution after their arrests, including many who would like to leave the work, in part because virtually no comprehensive social services exist for prostitutes.”

Currently in Sweden, prostitution is decriminalized. In essence, this means that only the buyers of sex services, and not the prostitutes involved, are punished and criminalized. This might seem like an ironic approach to decrease prostitution but it is one step to ending the demand. With decriminalization, pimps, buyers and procurers are the main targets of arrests. This would allow police efforts to be better spent on problems accompanying prostitution such as assaults and rape. Sweden does not discriminate against prostitutes but instead provides resources available to them such as health clinics, public education and opportunities to escape the business.

Although decriminalization and legalization are complicated processes, what is most important is to first accept its prevalence in society and secondly cut demand to ultimately eradicate it.

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We are not bitches

Women, have you ever called your friend a “bitch” or “ho?” If so, why? Do you know the meaning and implications of being called a “bitch” or a “ho?” The term “bitch” originally means a female dog. Around 1400 C.E. it was adapted to be demeaning towards women. So when men call women “bitches,” they are comparing women to animals, therefore essentially stripping women of their humanity. The word “ho” is a derivation of “whore;” “whore” is a derogatory term for prostitutes. As women, we have the power to determine how we are viewed in society. Women need to be in control of how we refer to each other because using words like “bitch” and “ho” makes the degradation of women acceptable and encourages women to intertwine these words into our identities.

Using the words “bitch” and “ho” makes the degradation of women acceptable. Many male artists have replaced the word “woman” with “bitches” or “hos.” In the Dr. Dre’s song Housewife, he refers to women as both “bitch” and “ho,” “And when it all boils down you gonna find in the end a bitch is a bitch, but a Dogg is a man's best friend. So what you found you a hoe that you like. But you can't make a ho a housewife (wife).”Another popular song which refers to woman as both hos and bitches is We Love Deez Hoez by Outkast. The song says, “If you don't you like them hoez a whole lot... The bitch is no good like lesbians with no tongues…”Many men find it acceptable to use these words because many women often use them towards each other. They learn this through a mental process called vicarious conditioning. When men see women calling each other these degrading names without consequences, they begin to believe it is acceptable (Psychology 226). The words were created or recreated to demean women. So essentially, when the words bitch and ho are used, women are being degraded. When we as English speakers allow these words to be used without consequences, we are allowing the degradation of women.

Women using these degrading words to refer to each other entangles the meanings of bitch and ho into some women’s identities. The more often a person is told that they are something, the more they will believe it. When a woman’s friends repetitively call her a “bitch,” she will end up believing that she is. In the documentary Very Young Girls,the girls at GEMS refer to themselves as “hos.” They do this because along with their pimps, society has told them that they are “hos” for having been commercially sexually exploited. It is not just women who have been commercially sexually exploited that have begun to refer to themselves as bitches or hos, but popular culture icons. Singer/rapper Nikki Minaj wrote a song called “Baddest Bitch.” Minaj attempts to use the word “bitch” as a positive word by saying how she is successful and wealthy. When popular icons begin to refer to themselves as one thing or another, people who admire him or her will begin to emulate that behavior. When Minaj constantly refers to herself as a “bitch,” the young women who admire her may forget the original devaluing meaning of the word begin to see bitch as a positive expression.

As English speaking women, we need to take a look at the way we address each other. We must not allow the degradation of women to continue. I propose that we cease to accept “bitch” and “ho” as every day words and begin to see them as profanity once again.

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Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures

In today’s society, pretty much everything revolves around survival and one of the only ways people know how to survive is with money. In some countries money is very scarce and people have to resort to participating in acts that may be viewed as wrong. Some people put aside the idea that what they are doing for their families isn’t right. The economy can get tough and people sometimes feel obligated to do whatever they have to that helps their family survive.

Poverty stricken countries participate in child sex tourism in order to help with their financial problems. Child sex tourism is when someone travels to a foreign country to be sexual involved with a child. Families use this act to their advantage in a time of need. The children don’t have much say on whether or not they want to participate. Their families tell them that this is the only way the family can eat and they start to feel guilty if they refuse to do it.

Not only are the families the ones encouraging Child Sex Tourism, but the Government sometimes also encourages this. Like said before, money is a powerful tool in todays economy. Governments in countries such as, Thailand and Cambodia, turn their eyes away when it comes to child sex tourism. They see the tourism as a good thing for the country as a whole, regardless of the fact that it endangers children.
Fear, Guilt, and Desperate times all come to mind when deciding whether or not to participate in this act. The fear that your family will not survive, the guilt you feel when your siblings can’t eat for days, and the times where you are desperate for money to help your sick mother. These are all thoughts that enter the mind of the 14 year old Cambodian girl before she gets into bed with the 61 year old wealthy American man.

When "Cures" Become Deadly

South Africa has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in the world. To make matters worse, knowledge of HIV treatment and management is particularly poor and in some cases, completely erroneous. In fact, a myth is circulating in South Africa that is putting even more individuals at risk for contracting the virus:

Sex with a virgin will cure HIV/AIDS and the younger the virgin, the more potent the cure.

This myth has stolen the innocence many young girls. South Africa also has one of the highest rates of rape in the world and studies show that 15% of these girls are under the age of 11; 26% of these girls were between the ages of 12-17. This means that around 41% of the rapes committed in South Africa were against minors. It is key to remember that these statistics only show the rapes that were reported, and there are potentially thousands of other rape victims who did not report the crime.

False knowledge on HIV/AIDS treatment and management is not new in South Africa. Former health minister of South Africa, Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang was known for advocating what was known as the beetroot-garlic-lemon diet as a cure for AIDS. Furthermore, she also suggested that AIDS was not caused by HIV. As Westerners, we know that sex with virgins will not cure AIDS, however, in South Africa, proper HIV/AIDS education is seriously lacking, and in desperation people tend to believe whatever they are told. While no research points to a concrete industry that traffics children purely for the cure of AIDS, South African witch-doctors and traditional healers are known for telling men to have sex with young virgins to cure their illness.

South Africa has taken the initiative to raise HIV/AIDS awareness, however most of their campaigning focuses on prevention, as opposed to treatment and management. It is common to see anti-HIV/AIDS placards and signs; however most signs generally only advertise condom usage. Of course, it is important to advertise to condoms to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, but it is also equally important to debunk the myths surrounding a false and dangerous “cure”.

An Enslaving Oath

It is a pledge that binds one’s mind, body and soul. It obligates one to obey until the “debt” is paid. This curse has been placed upon those who are trafficked to instill fear. This ritual comes from the traditional West African religion called Juju. The oath consists of mixing the girls pubic hair along with her blood. It is a dark form of juju not to be taken casually, if one disobeys the oath, it is believed that she and her family will be killed.

They are tricked by the allure of a better life in Europe. So they eagerly swear to this oath. However these juju priests who perform the ritual are subjecting the women into slavery. Is it a tradition or a hoax? The people involved in the trafficking of these women do not need muscles to scare the girls. These women are compelled by Juju, not physical violence. When they arrive in Europe their fate reaches them. They are sex slaves, and now told they will not return home until they pay back what they owe for coming to Europe. According to Al Jazeera the price the girls “owe” ranges from 30,000 euro’s to 60,000. They can never afford to pay this back because whatever money they receive is collected from them, and the madam who is in charge of the girls also charges rent, food, and clothing.

They fear the Juju. To fearful to ever flee. They are stuck. But who are we as outsiders to claim whether or not these traditions are true. To judge their beliefs. To say why don’t they escape, the juju is not real, it cannot harm them. It is their belief, and what one believes is just as dangerous as a man with a gun. But the juju priest involvement in the enslaving oath is questionable. They profit from the girls taking this oath, and manipulate their power. Where is the line drawn between tradition and oppression? This practice is very common in Edo a state of Nigeria and now churches that have popped up in the region that are also cashing in on this ritual. This perverted use of the religion has contributed greatly to the Nigerian women who are sex slaves in Europe and other parts of the world.

Photo Credit:http://thespiritualweek.wordpress.com/2011/07/07/nigerian-juju-trafficking-case/

Justice for Killing?

Western civilizations are not aware of the phrase honor killing. In fact most Americans will disagree with putting a word such as honor and connecting it with murder. Nonetheless honor killing is common mostly within the Muslim and Middle Eastern world but also branches out to countries such as India. Honor killing is mainly cause by women being involved with fornication- engaging in sex before marriage.

“Annually their is 5,000 honor killings a year most being in the Muslim world.” (Kristof,82). This number is not accurate however because governments such as the Sudanese punish women who report rapes or seek out for medical treatment. Also a high number of honor killings are disguised as suicides or accidents to keep organizations such as Nation Organization for Women and Women's Advocates, Inc from bringing awareness outside of their country.

In Darfur Janjaweed militias gang raped women within three african tribes followed by cutting off their ears to mark them as rape victims forever. Rape is also used as a way to punish a family’s rival. A student Hawa, was gang raped and beaten by the Janjaweed her friend carried her to a clinic. As two french nurses were aiding her serveral police stormed into the clinic and arrested Hawa. The crime she is charged with is fornication. Her seeking treatment was acknowledging she had been engaging in sex before marriage.

Within the Muslim world and Middle East killing a women for the sake of a families name is most common. Most often the family is doing the killing themselves because their daughter has behaved immodestly or has fallen in love with a man of a lower caste.

Honor killing in India is caused mainly by women marrying outside their religion and a man in a lower cast or seeking divorce. If men marries a lower cast they can at times be recognized as a hero for standing up to their family. Other causes of honor killing include to camouflage murder, greed and want for money, to obtain property and land or to un pay loans. Most honor killings take place in countries in poverty.

Women living in fear with their life in the hands of family or a man. Honor killing violates the most basic rights, the right to life. Religion and Culture can not be excuses to kill women.

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It's a Man's World

China’s one-child policy was originally created to help minimize China’s already dense population. Created in 1979, it limited each family to only raising one son or daughter. Although successful in limiting the population, this policy has triggered an increase in the child sex trafficking industry. With government officials turning a blind eye, and the policy holding strong today, many female children are left without answers and looking for help.

China's long withstanding traditions and cultures have always placed more emphasis on the importance of men. Men are viewed as a key factor in helping care for their elders, and also can carry on the family name. Due to this gender discrimination, many families are choosing to raise males rather than females. Chai ling, founder of the group “All Girls Allowed" explains how this policy affects the families’ gender selection in children by saying “some families are taking this matter into their own hands by selectively aborting, abandoning, and selling their baby girls” And the sex trafficking industry is more than willing to pick up these children.

With families only being allowed one child, and most of them choosing to raise a son, many girl children are being sold as child brides. Although there is still a debate on whether forced child marriages are a form of slavery, one must consider what is asked of a child partaking in a forced marriage. In many cases, child brides are treated like indentured servants, working many hours without pay, raped, and left with no way of escape. These girls are also taken from their schools and families and denied any forms of education beyond their elementary schooling. The gender discrimination alongside the policy, limits women’s roles in society, and leaves them with little chance to prosper.

The One-child policy has also contributed to the sex trafficking industry by launching China’s population into an imbalanced gap between genders. With many families choosing to have one male as their child, the amount of girls there are to be wives is scarce. Ling says “There are approaching 40 million young men inside China who will not find a bride. So as a result of that, sex trafficking against girls and women are becoming a huge problem inside China." Although there are groups to help fight this growing trend, many people are still left ignorant to the effects of this policy on women and children. There is no quick fix to stop this problem, and no magical law that can reverse the damage that is done.But we are taking the first step in researching the industry and gaining information. The more we learn about the causes of the growing sex trafficking industry, the closer we get to abolishing it.

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photo credit: http://www.accschinese.com/accsblog/?tag=chinese-children

Slowly Becoming Human Again

People are learning to no longer make the assumption that slavery in the world ended with Emancipation in the 19th century. This is because this statement couldn't be more false. There are more slaves now than ever. Another error people are making is assuming that slavery ends with the simple act of escaping or being "released." This is as skewed as thinking slavery has been extinct for over a hundred years. Despite everything they have already endured, being freed is just the beginning of a long and arduous road for those released from bondage. One does not consider the aftermath of being liberated from slavery. The turning point from slave to free human being comes long after a slave escapes or is "released.” Unfortunately, without proper rehabilitation the chances are that this liberation will only end in starvation or re-enslavement.

Ex slaves need extensive care and compassion in order to successfully become a functioning part of society. Beyond the intensive psychotherapy they will need to feel like they are safe again, they also need dry ground to fall on. Without assistance such as food or even guidance back into a normal life, these freed people will most likely end up in bondage once more. These workers also need education, recognizing when they are being offered valuable employment or simply being manipulated back into captivity is key in avoiding the same awful situation.

In his book Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy, Kevin Bales gives several anecdotes of slaves that had escaped captivity successfully. Uttar Pradesh is a state in northern India where bondage slavery and debt labor is commonly used. Activist working with vigilance committees there used their financial resources to provide the families of freed bondage slaves with sheep and chickens (along with instructions for their care). “A study two years later found 95 percent of the families had supplied enough earnings to support their families. Laborers need help getting settled and learning how to go through the routine of their new lives.” (Bales, 228) Despite everything they have suffered, these human beings are willing to get back on stable ground and provide for their families.

If free slaves are provided with rehabilitation, reintegration, protection, and prevention of re-victimization, they will be capable of being independent and successful living beings. Each one of these components is crucial to helping someone who was once disposable labor fall back into a stable routine and feel like a valued human life. Unfortunately this is not the case with most. Usually those freed from captivity will not have the resources they need to survive and out of desperation will end up enslaved once more. Unless something is done to help guide these laborers in their journey back to being human they will fall victim to this vicious cycle once more.

Photo Credit: Robin Romano

Lead By Example

The United States wants to be the “power house” of the entire world and with that America must lead by example. That dream isn't completely unreal, but the United States needs to start fixing the problems on our own ground. Child prostitution is alive on the streets of America. It’s a problem that should be addressed immediately by our country, because it will only grow larger if it’s not address soon.

The government has attempted to acknowledge the problem, but things haven’t subsided, as they should. In 2000 the Trafficking Victim Protection Act was passed, but there are still people who find ways around the law. In 2010 there were previsions added to the Act to help American citizens and along with the 10^th anniversary of the Act the United States was finally ranked in the Trafficking in Person Report, or TIPS. This report was made to be guidelines for other countries on how to deal with human trafficking. The ironic part of it is America is the country issuing the report, but was not reported upon till 2010.

One change that would help a great deal of the victims of child prostitution would be to have more educated police officers who know what to do when placed in a situation where children have become victims of sex crimes. The government is very busy all the time dealing with anything and everything, so there have been a handful of organizations that have taken matters into their own hands. A few of them are, Children of the Night, GEMs, Courtney’s House, and many others. Lastly, many victims of child prostitution in the United States have found these organizations and completely turned around their life, one of those amazing people being Carissa Phelps.

There are so many people that could use America’s help who actually live in America, our country needs to take strides to helping those here before we go saving the entire world.

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photography credit:

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Brides for Sale

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In many places all over the world marriage is viewed as a financial transaction. Women are treated as property, and bartered for like livestock, even being used to settle debts. Often times these women are underage and have no choice in their marriages. Women are assigned value based on their age, beauty, education, virginity, among many other things. Poverty is often a driving factor in these financial marriages. According to the New York Times About 1 in 7 girls in the developing world (excluding China) gets married before her 15th birthday” Sometimes girls are married off very young and sent to live with their in-laws and act as a servant, until they reach puberty, when they will consummate the marriage. Girls who find themselves in these marriages often face abuse at the hands of their husbands and in-laws. Often these young girls’ bare children before their bodies are ready, often ending in fatalities. The World Population Foundation says “Pregnancy, and its complications is a leading cause of death for young women aged 15 to 19.”

A few years ago there was a court case about a Triqui Indian man in Greenfield, California, who allegedly sold his 14 year old daughters hand in marriage to her 18 year old suitor for $16,000 and over 100 cases of beer and meat. The Father, Marcelino de Jesus Martinez was charged with human trafficking. The high profile case was significant because it could set a precedent for future cases dealing with bride selling. Paying a bride price is custom in indigenous Mexican communities. Bride selling is said to reduce break ups, due to the added value of the wife “"It is so the man gives value to his wife and so he won't easily leave her for another woman."”

                Even though bride selling is a traditional native custom, it is still a form of human trafficking. Not all traditions are good traditions.  These women are treated as property and are unable to leave their situations. Selling another person is a clear violation of human rights.

Good Intentions

Westerners such as Zana Briski, a photojournalist, traveled to Calcutta, India to view the lives of prostitutes in the Red Light District. While there, she became friendly with the children of the prostitutes, and introduced them to photography as an outlet from the brothels they were raised in. The problem lies with the fact that Ms. Briski may have exploited the children for her own purposes. She had the children photograph their lives and documented it formally. Surely, the parents were under the assumption that when the documentary won a renowned award the children would share in the glory and wealth. Sadly, this was not the case. There is much controversy surrounding the documentary. I strongly encourage you to take a moment to watch a clip from the documentary that I have provided here. In this clip, children were transported to the schools where Ms. Briski had them enrolled. Also, it shows when one child is given the opportunity to showcase his photography. At the end of clip, it gives information on the students that Ms. Briski “helped” the most. From this we can grasp that families are better off without the intervention of Westerners.



As westerners with ideal lives and hardly any struggles, we have the resources as well as the desire to help others we think aren’t as fortunate. However, our desires can shadow our ability to be practical. Many people who are in bad situations don’t want help from outsiders, and those who are trying to help should know their limits. When considering this phenomenon, the topic of prostitution and a child’s involvement in the trade arises. Typically, arguments focusing on prostitution form a negative aura around it, thus depicting it as taboo. In the instances when children are involved, people are more prone to intervene. Sometimes, actions are taken to keep children away from such distasteful activity. If you stop for a moment and think about the lack of resources available to these people, you will come to realize that this is their only hope for survival. Yes, there are organizations willing to help and schools that can educate the people. However, by looking at the bigger picture we see that those are long term assets. Many of these families live day to day on their earnings and some they don’t see the money they make. By taking their children from them, people are taking sources of revenue also. For many, living in the brothels with their children provides a steady income, food to eat, a sense of security, as well as a roof over their heads. By traveling to these countries, or even trying to help from the comforts of our homes, we are dabbling in issues we have little or no knowledge about.