Sex Slavery and Prostitution - Opinions please.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Conor on October 21, 2010 at 9:34pm

Guess it was a bit too fun for a topic o_O

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by cooper on October 21, 2010 at 11:15pm

It's probably better form to write some kind of small essay or something, rather than refer to a post of yours in which you carried on a conversation on FB, about an 11 or 12 page post in the NYT. In order to answer your post it requires someone to read your convo and a 12 page post they may not have time or inclination to read.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gina on October 22, 2010 at 4:02pm

This ^

I quit reading when I realized how long the FB convo was, and then still hadn't started the NYT thing. Sorry. 20sb time is not my "heavy political" reading time.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Conor on October 22, 2010 at 4:11pm

Heya guys,

Yeah, I know it's a really long and protracted post, and apologies if it's too long. I just wanted to cover all angles.

Cheers

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by cooper on October 21, 2010 at 11:17pm

In this country, until relatively recently, the kids who were found to participate in some of the sex trafficking trade businesses (sex, prostitution, porn and so on), were treated as criminals, whereas the adults who used or viewed whatever it was these children were involved in were not treated as harshly, nor were they aggressively prosecuted — if at all.

That has changed somewhat over the years, though it is slow progress, because the victims in this country are largely (not always), people who are undereducated and poor, and that doesn't even include those trafficked from overseas or Latin America.

Those who are using this product need to be prosecuted, not the sex trafficked victims themselves, and because those using it are largely white males with money, and white males still generally make the laws here, progress is interminable.



Shared Hope

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by R...RAWR on October 22, 2010 at 10:05am

Rather heavy reading- especially the NYT article... though the facebook war gives it a run for its money!

First, I think there needs to be a very; very; very clear distinction made between a)human trafficking, b)sex slavery, c)prostitution d) sex work. A lot of these are interconnected and they overlap and I'm by no means suggesting that it isn't a huge big mess. It's just that a lot of the times these really broad, generalised strokes paint everybody with the same paint whether they want it or not. A lot of sex workers that I've spoken with (it relates to my job) chafe at the portrayal of their lives as something they were forced into either due to societal, economic or other hardships. So that would be my first point because i think that was really confused in the facebook argument.

I edited my friend's thesis on Trafficking of Women- I can find a copy and whack the references if you're interested. I remember that there were a few very interesting case studies about trafficked women who would aid the trafficking of other women in exchange for their own freedom- any way out, at any cost. I think she'd referenced a case study wherein these women were sexually enslaved- they were told that to free themselves, they would have to make enough money to buy themselves back- so they'd have sex with as many men as they could to try and make enough money. Of course, their handlers would deduct "upkeep" money etc.

I don't just think that it's an issue of "supply and demand" and a commodifying or women, or perverseness. It's also, at its very; very basic level, a business. It's almost as big as arms trade, I think. It's a structurally messed up system, hence these things can operate beneath the grid- regardless of attitude/behaviour change attempts.

In addition, a lot of countries have clamped down on their borders, citing a border control issue. However, I don't think that's a viable solution either. By doing so, the traffickers just create new, even more dangerous/complicated routes that make it harder for authorities to track them. I remember something (vaguely) with Albania? They've got a pretty bad record, I think.

This is further complicated by the fact that there is no data- no statistics really available and practically impossible to collect. Same with case studies. Even those who have been "rescued", they're unable or unwilling to speak of their experiences because they're either still severely traumatised or concerned for their safety/that of their family.

Further reading: I'll have to look up some of the books for you, but I know there are a few international instruments that might help? I think the IOM have something. ILO probably do as well. Pretty sure UN Women's subsidiary organisations will have one, or they will have one shortly. They should do anyhow. There's a Global Alliance: http://www.gaatw.org/ HRW must have a tonne of reading too.

On a related note- Bride Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan, anyone? One of our partner organisations did a presentation on this- it's truly appalling and .. just ridiculous.

And just as a random fact check for the writer, misoprostol, while being anti-ulcer medication, is prescribed when undergoing a medical abortion- it induces labour and is often used in tandem with mifepristone. It isn't an anti-ulcer medicine that is used to induce abortions. It is prescribed for both. In some countries, miso can be bought over the counter.

Sorry about the ramble! Good topic. Important issue.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by R...RAWR on October 22, 2010 at 10:10am

Oh and MTV EXIT have a bunch of ads on trafficking.

Here are a couple:
http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/1229/Traffic-Asia-Pacific--An-...
http://www.cultureunplugged.com/filmedia/explore/mtv-exit
http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/479/Sold--An-MTV-EXIT-Special

And a related note on trafficked persons in the country I lived most of my life in: http://truthseekers.cultureunplugged.com/truth_seekers/2010/03/when...

p.s: Culture Unplugged has some FANTASTIC films, do check it out.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Christy on October 22, 2010 at 10:54am

I spent a year doing research on sex trafficking of women and girls in 8 cities around the world and have done several presentations about it so by trade, I'm an expert in the field. I'd be more than happy to talk to you about it, share some of my research, etc. Your arguments were valid and your friends' posed a huge amount of ignorance. The British government has been able to regulate trafficking out of London, which means that it's moving to the outskirts of the city. That's what happens. It doesn't go away. Let me know if you want to get in touch more about this.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Conor on October 22, 2010 at 3:54pm

Hey there, that sounds really good, I'd love to learn more about it because frankly, what happened on the blog shows how ignorant people can be. I totally include myself in that ignorance field too. If I contact you after the weekend via 20sb would that be cool?

Thanks about this
Con

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tyler Sutherland on October 22, 2010 at 11:17am

I'm in favor.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by tee. on October 22, 2010 at 1:04pm

I'm not as well versed in the issue as I could be, but I do see what all the uproar is about.

This "Mr JSN" never made it clear that he was referring to prostitution vs. sex slavery. Which is a distinction one should make clear before commenting on an article that is almost exclusively about sex slavery.

Also, this?
"Ms LGC: I hope you're correct. However, everyone 1 is too many and what we need to start with is targeting the education of our men and their mental health.

Mr JSN: I disagree... It's not a issue of how well educated these men are; you will find that top lawyers, politicians and businessmen often frequent and abuse women. This is also not a mental health issue - these men are often quite sound. It is a case of 'power' or the need to exert 'power' over weak fragile women."

There is nothing sound about physically or sexually abusing someone. NOTHING. Graduating from law school is not an indicator that you do not have mental health issues. For example, many serial killers, rapists, and the like are not schizophrenic homeless people, but rather functioning members of society. But at the same time, they are not completely sane. Same concept. If you think it is okay, being a full grown adult, to have sex with a minor who does not wish to be in that position, you have some form of a mental issue. Period. Furthermore, by "educated" Ms LGC clearly meant socially speaking; regarding how to treat others, mainly women. Not whether or not they were college grads.

And this: "But the girls in the articles are not 12 year olds. They are adults, young adults, I take your point." would lead one to believe that he did not read the article. Because many of the girls were 12 years old. And far younger.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Conor on October 22, 2010 at 3:58pm

Thanks, I'm a bit embarrassed by how petty me and some of my friends became, but I think that it could be representative of how many other people think/feel. I agree with you completely in this regard. I think his presumption that 'lawyers' can't have mental health issue is totally wrong. (I for one am testament to the contrary actually haha)


I think you're spot on tbh, I can't disagree with you on any point and you've given some really interesting points to consider.

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page