Sex Trafficking: Who Is To Blame?
Lakshmi was 13 years old when she was trafficked on the streets of Nepal. During teen years, she was abused and beaten many times. Not only that, but she went through the pain of being lied to and was sold to grown men. During her time working on the streets, she dealt with diseases and illnesses. The job she was being forced to do was called prostitution. In today's world, there are an estimated 42 million prostitutes in the world. Three quarters of that population include women ages 13 to 25. Some women are tricked and forced to be apart from this job. Others do it out of money needs. This topic, is not talked about much on news or media, but still is a serious for many reasons. Although some argue differently,
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For example, Laksmi, the main character of the book “Sold’’ by Patricia Mccormick, had dealt with the things most prostitutes had dealt with before. Along with being a victim of human trafficking, she had faced many problems including physical abuse. In the book, it says, “This Shanna leans close to and whispers to me, ‘It will go easier if you hold still.’ There is a slicing sound and a climb of my hair falls to the floor... Mumtaz draws back, the jaw of the scissors poised at my neck.’ Hold still’ she says. ‘Or I'll slice your throat’” This can clearly show the physical abuse she is going through. She was threatened to have her throat sliced as her hair was being cut off. This is an example of how these women are being treated. Along with the disrespect they are being treated, being threatened and looked at like animals. This will without a doubt leave scars on their mind bringing up more abuse including mental and emotional abuse. Also, most of the women turned into prostitutes, are under the age of 20. For example, Barbara Amaya’s Story was a good example of a young woman's life is like at the young age while in trafficking.” During my time on the streets of New York I was abused, shot, stabbed, raped, kidnapped, trafficked, beaten, addicted to drugs, jailed, and more all before I was 18 years old.” {AND} This shows the horrible things women go through when involved in this job. Not only did she go to jail, but she also received …show more content…
First, some argue saying that the government should not be able to make laws against women and their uses of their bodies. For example, a debate was started online on Debate.org, arguing the legalization of prostitution. One man by the name of Nine Nathaniel 43, stated, “Prostitution should be legalized, so that willing women could make money. We waste money prosecuting men and women that are engaging in consensual sexual activity. They are not harming anyone. I also feel it would be safer for prostitutes. If prostitution were legal, then there wouldn't be a need for pimps, because women could market themselves, without fear of repercussions.” For this reason, I believe that prostitution would be much more dangerous for women involved in it. If pimps or traffickers were to realize that they no longer could earn money from a woman because she can go market herself, they will do their best to make sure she stays with him, involving more aggression and control from the trafficker. Along with this, some people make the statement that if prostitution were to be legalized in the United States, then rape and other crimes involving sex would decrease. For example, Kirby R. Cundiff, clearly stated that,” It is estimated that if prostitution were legalized in the United
From the beginning of the book, Half the Sky, the stories of Srey Rath, the vibrant girl from Cambodia, and Meena Hasina, the courageous mother from India, and other stories like theirs have helped many people understand the tragedies taking place all over the world. Their stories have inspired the authors and many who have read their stories to dive deeper into thought about worldwide issues plaguing many countries, including the United States. The global issues surrounding women’s health in the beginning of this book include the topics of: the three types of abuses, the inaccuracy of the term “sex trafficking”, and the initiatives to stop slavery.
In the novel Sold by Patricia McCormick, Lakshmi is a 13 year old mountain girl who lives in Nepal. She has been sold to somebody as a prostitute for 10,000 rupees but she doesn't know that. The value of a human life is more than just a dollar amount.
Prostitution flourishes in territories that have a high crime rate, along these lines, cops and courts are overburdened with these cases, having next to zero effect on prostitution. The sex workers and their clients pay their fines and are back to the boulevards right away in a rotating door process. Law enforcement is occupied with adding prostitution to the rundown of things to shield us from, the genuine violations go unchecked and unchallenged. Not with standing if prostitution were legitimate, police would have less work attempting to dispose of prostitution and additional time shielding people from far more heinous crimes. "It is estimated that if prostitution were legalized in the United States, the rape rate would decrease by roughly 25% for a decrease of approximately 25,000 rapes per year. The analysis seems to support that the rape rate could be lowered if prostitution was more readily available. This would be accomplished in most countries by its legalization (Sexual Violence Such as Rape)."
In the CNN article: they describe how the girls were forced to grow up: “Geeta was 9 when she began wearing makeup, staying up until 2 a.m. and having sex with as many as 60 men a day” (CNN, 1). At 9 years old, a girl is dressing up, and acting like a women which in the sex trafficking world is no big deal. Many girls continue to be forced to dress how why they have to in order to get the most men and the most money. Geeta is only doing these things because she is being blackmailed into the situation and owes money and the longer she waits and has to be involved in the sex trafficking experience. Lakshmi also goes through having to wear unwanted makeup to get the men to want her: “I’m wiping the makeup off my face when the dark-skinned girl comes in” (McCormick, 105). The search for want from the men is a big struggle in sex trafficking and many girls are forced to go to the extremes to get out the faster without being there any longer than they have to. “The youngest turned out to be a seventh grader from Vietnam three months earlier, making her about 12 years old” (Kristof, 2). Girls are taken into sex trafficking when they are so young and are forced to perform actions that they would usually do as adults and not teenagers Having sex with an abundance of men per day is nothing a young girl should do for a job. In the book Sold, Lakshmi was taken from her home at 13 years old like the girl in the article. They both had to experience things that no girl their age could ever imagine. “The pimp might take a girl across the border in a cycle-rickshaw and put a tikka dot on her forehead so it looks like she and he are married” (Orlinsky, 2). They will do anything to make sure that they don’t get caught because they police our aware of the sex trafficking in the country. The pretend that they are married o it doesn’t look suspicious
¨I will give you half and the rest when she has proved her worth,¨she says (59). In Sold written by Patricia McCormick A young girl named Lakshmi was sold into human trafficking. A young girl who lived upon a mountain from nepal was only dreaming of the luxuries of a tin roof and maybe a light bulb or as she calls it a little sun in the ceiling. What is the value of human life? Human life is worth more than any amount of money in the world.
I am a student from Grayslake Central High School in Illinois. During the summer I read a novel called Sold by Patricia McCormick. Sold really hit home for many reasons mostly because of all the thematic subjects it brings up including gender, power, suffering, innocence, and hope are just a few. I am writing this letter to ask for your support to make something that is very important to me happen. I believe with your help we can change many of families life’s. By helping me out you can save hundreds of lives everyday.
Sex Trafficking has been a key component in “ degradation of human and women's rights” because they believe that these people are only good for sex (Deshpande Para 1). Often victims who come back, if they ever can, have a hard time adjusting back to normal life. These girls have trust issues towards men, and sometimes even women. They also could have numerous health problems ranging from STD’s to unplanned pregnancy or even worse “ broken bones, concussions, bruises and burns” can all be found on these victims of sexual assault. These girls could also have mental issues, such as anxiety toward older men and women, fear of going outside ever again and social issues. The saddest thing about this is not only are these victims going through a horrible amount of sexual abuse, they also have been ripped away from what they know and may love. Some people believe that women and some men are just objects and they are the ones that are often pimps in the sex trafficking, but this is a completely skewed way of thinking of people.
The reasoning for this is that since prostitution is legalized, they will be protected. Because prostitution is currently illegal, people feel the freedom to rape prostitutes, since prostitutes fear going to the police on the risk of being arrested. According to Cheryl M. Toth, author of The Definition and Facts of Prostitution, by legalizing prostitution, not only will the amount of rapes in the United States drop substantially, but the amount of rapes reported will rise, due to the fact that prostitutes no longer will fear going to the police when raped. Illegal prostitution is unsafe, with women being mistreated by pimps. Pimps, as reported by prostitutes, employing “daily physical abuse, emotional dominance, and lie about caring”. Illegal prostitutes are on average 14 years old, and the majority of them are addicted to alcohol or drugs 6. Prostitution can be safe if legalized. Prostitution, contrary to popular belief, has no victims. The fact that prostitutes consent to selling their bodies and clients paying the amount means that both parties agree to sex. It makes no sense to arrest prostitutes if it is not a victimless crime because then, they are the victims! By legalizing prostitution, prostitutes will stop being arrest for committing no harmful crimes
Those opposing the legalization of prostitution believe that there are several reasons why the United States should not legalize the buying and selling of sexual acts. If prostitution were legal, sex trafficking in the United States would surge (Bruckert and Hannem 47). In order to avoid being taxed, entrepreneurs would simply kidnap girls and sell them into an underground trafficking system, making a business of their own (Perer 829). Children and teens would be abducted, forced to take drugs, and forced to prostitute themselves for the profit of their kidnapper (Bruckert and Hannem 47; Perer 829). Sex trafficking would be used to avoid the use of sexual protection. Johns will pay more for a girl who does not make them use a condom, and this alone could spark a new interest for sex trafficking (Perer 830). Sex trafficking is a horrible industry that most abducted girls never make it out of, and legalizing prostitution will only make it worse (Wagenaar and Altink 280).
Many believe the illegalization of prostitution today to be an antiquated view of the trade, and want to see it legalized. However, prostitution should not see legalization due to it will promote more sexual unacceptable activities such as child prostitution, expand the sex trafficking trade, and escalate poor treatment to those in the trade.
Some say prostitution is the world 's oldest profession. Yet, only a small percentage of the world’s government allows it. The legalization of prostitution is a very controversial topic due to many people’s moral beliefs. Prostitutes all over the world are treated as outcasts. A reason for people to be against prostitution could be due to their religious beliefs, moral standpoints, or lack of knowledge over the subject. Many religions state that sex outside of marriage is a sin and those who do it should be looked down upon. Due to these beliefs people tend to be against the legalization of prostitution. Though there are many facts that show that prostitution should be legalized. Prostitution should be legalized in the United States because then it can be regulated, would help the economy, and would lower the prison population and crimes against prostitutes.
Prostitution being illegal causes a rapid increase in rape and assault which causes trauma and domestic violence issues. Legalizing prostitution would help make the sex workers feel safer and more secure. Studies show legalizing sex work in America would decrease rape and assault roughly about 25%. Sex workers in licensed brothels can have someone to back up the violence if it was to occur. (Kirby
“They would beat you. They would make you feel like they would cause you yourself or your family harm. Another thing, some of the girls don’t have anywhere to go (Victims, 2011).” Keisha Head works as an anti-human trafficking advocate, but that was not always the case. She was once a victim to this cold and unforgiving way of life that many people simply call “prostitution.” It has been said by the ignorant that prostitutes must enjoy their line of work, as sex is generally considered pleasurable. However, Keisha tells another story. “I became numb to what I was doing. I guess that’s the survival instinct,” she says. Another woman who escaped the life preferred to remain anonymous, but her statement is profound. “I was hoping that I would
By keeping prostitution illegal, it keeps the doors open for a victimless crime to have many victims. Many prostitutes are people looking for a way to get out of a certain situation they are in, but do not have the skill set for what society considers a better quality job. These people then turn to prostitution in hopes of making money, earning a living and getting an education (Reynolds, 13). Prostitutes could become victims of their own career choice. Prostitutes who are beaten or abused by clients are often scared to report the crime to the police in fear they will be charged with a crime instead. As Reynolds points out, there are no real laws
“43% of victims are used for forced commercial sexual exploitation, of whom 98% are women and girls” (UNGIFT). Women and girls are ensnared in sex trafficking in a variety of ways. Some are lured in with offers of real and legal work in restaurants, massage parlors, or anything else. Others are promised marriage, education and a better life. Still others are sold into trafficking by boyfriends, friends, neighbors or even parents (SOROPTMIST). Many of the girls and women are also forced into pornography. With all of the types of sexual exploitation comes abuse. Sexual, physical, and emotional are all types of abuse put onto females in human trafficking. Many people traffic others in hopes of getting money, work done, or just pure pleasure.