Sex trafficking is currently the second largest organized crime in the world,
following the drug trade. It is defined as the recruitment, provision, or
obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act, which is induced
by force, fraud or coercion (UN, 2011). Many people are unaware of the
extremities of this trade, or of its existence so close to home. Sex
trafficking is not a new phenomenon, but it is continually growing with more
and more women, girls, and boys are being forced into sexual servitude than
ever before (The Future Group, 2007).
Girls are the most common victims of trafficking, with many as young as 12
years old. Girls are usually sold or persuaded into the industry. Older victims
of the sex trade usually leave their country when they are promised work in
fields other than the sex trade, and when they arrive they are forced into
brothels. If they resist having sex with their clients they are usually
beaten until they give in. Once they have been raped and “broken in”, they are
typically forced to have sex with 10-30 clients daily. They are also usually
responsible for doing the household chores and anything else their pimps or
brothel owner’s demand.
Many try
to escape, but few succeed, and those who have failed attempts to escape endure
horrible punishments and beatings. In many regions of the world, such as India
for example, a girl’s virginity is very valuable. Once girls are raped and
loose their virginity they might not see any hope for their future, and stop
fighting against the clients and trying to escape. The few who do escape suffer
emotional and physical complications including post-traumatic stress disorder.
There are many severe health complications that victims of sexual trafficking
suffer from, most of which are ignored until they become critical. Some of the
physical problems include sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies,
pelvic pain, gastrointestinal complications and bruising. HIV is a prominent
issue among trafficked victims. The virus can damage their lives and kill them
if not treated, and spread the virus to others. In order to withstand the pain
of their injuries and ailments, many succumb to drug use, which causes more
health complications and unsuccessful pregnancies.
Traffickers usually go unreported and those who are reported are very difficult
to prosecute. It is difficult to prosecute them for a variety of reasons; such
as human traffickers are often very mobile and can leave the country if needed,
some law enforcement is corrupt and will not do anything to prevent the
trafficking, and victims are often fearful of testifying against the
traffickers. In the United States 751 trafficking cases have been opened
between 2001 and 2007 with 185 convictions. The U.S. sees itself as a
leader in human trafficking law enforcement since new laws have been put into
place during the 21st century. The number of cases opened has
increased from 54 with 15 prosecutions in 2001 to 126 with 70 prosecutions in
2006. These numbers do not include the cases in which charges other than
trafficking were pressed for technical reasons. (U.S. Department of State)
Even in the U.S. where prosecution rates are “high”, there are still an
astounding number of victims being forced into sexual slavery. Many people are
unaware that it happens in their own city or region. Portland is a beautiful
and lively city in the heart of Oregon, and is also one of the largest sex
trafficking hubs in the country. Traffickers obtain some of their victims
internationally and the other locally. They often prey on girls at the mall, on
the subway, or around town and they get to know them. They are experts at their
trade, skilled at spotting vulnerable victims, and persuading them with the
things such as; freedom from their parents, new clothing, food, money, or
whatever they are yearning for. It is easy for people to focus on helping
problems abroad, but there are problems that need assistance right here in
Oregon as well. The local sex trafficking and prostitution situations are
severe and need much assistance.
There are many groups and organizations fighting against trafficking, but the
high demand for the sex trade and the high profits that it brings in, have made
progress slow. The main ways in which the fight against sexual trafficking is
being fought are through laws and treaties, lessening of the demand, assistance
to victims, and attempts to close brothels.
The controversies of sex trafficking
and corrupt law enforcement have made it difficult for politicians to make much
of a difference. Laws regulating prostitution and brothels vary from country to
country, and some are considering legalization of brothels all together. There
are pros and cons to having these legalized; some argue that legalization makes
brothels safer and easier to regulate, while other argue that such business is
unmoral and should be outright banned.
Many organizations have allocated assistance for victims of the sex trade. The
Coalition Against Trafficking In Women, for example, has programs running in
several regions of the globe with unique goals. Some of the things they do
include: providing shelter and care for women who have escaped brothels,
educating people about trafficking, and documenting the victims’ experiences.
Sex trafficking is an extremely appalling human rights violation, much in need
of assistance. It is a global trend of domination and suppression of girls,
women, and boys that is both is caused by and reinforces gender
inequality. We need to support these organizations that are fighting
against the second largest organized crime in the world, only then will we
close the gap between the genders and obtain gender equality.
Bibliography
U.S. Department
of State. http://www.state.gov/g/tip/laws/
