This image (left) represents the MILLIONS of WOMEN in Human Trafficking. These women are simply thought of as something to be purchased. As stated on the National Human Trafficking Hotline website, "Sex trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which individuals
perform commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion.
Minors under the age of 18 engaging in commercial sex are considered to
be victims of human trafficking, regardless of the use of force, fraud,
or coercion." Human Trafficking came to mind for this post because I once heard a statistic that Super Bowl weekend is the largest human trafficking event in the country every year. Check out this article Super Bowl and Human Trafficking . While I don't know if those statistics are accurate, I do know that human trafficking is a REAL problem all over the world and right here in the United States. This is an issue that I have become more aware of since my time in college and feel as though bringing awareness to these women is part of how the
message can be counteracted.Of course there are
more active ways to fight against this epidemic as well (I'll share some resources in a bit). One stand I believe we can take as counselors is to create a culture and language of respect for women...among women themselves and among men. We can counteract societies {sometimes} pervasive message that women's bodies are for sell. While that may not be the intent of some marketers out there, selling "sex" can lead to the thought that buying it is okay too. The image above is one example of a major company portraying a sexual encounter that to me is inappropriate....why should this image be used to sell their products? Don't hear me say this ad is promoting Human Trafficking, that is not its intent. But I do think it portrays an unhealthy image of how women should be treated. The more sensitized we become to images like this as a society, the easier it is for people to accept the concept of selling actual women as a business too. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Human Trafficking is a 32 BILLION dollar industry.
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| 1 in 5 in Human Trafficking are under the age of 18 |
With this in mind......What are women worth? How can we create a culture that does not believe in selling sex as a business opportunity? Is Human Trafficking something you have thought of or been aware of before?
Hi Alyssa! Love your blog! This is such an important and heartbreaking topic. I had no idea that the Super Bowl was the largest human trafficking event. You are right about the media perpetuating sex as a commodity to be bought and sold. I think the more awareness that is brought to the issue, the more we can educate those businesses that use sex to sell their products. I think it's also important to teach young boys that women are not possessions to be attained. A lot of boys learn that they can buy sex, not just in overt ways but also through having nice cars and money and power. We need to teach boys that women aren't objects so that there is no market to buy sex. I read an article recently that the board of cosmetology in Ohio requires new cosmetologists to take a course to spot the signs of sex trafficking. I think there is something similar in the airline industry. The more people that learn to spot the signs, the more girls we can rescue from sex slavery. Thanks for all the resources on this topic! I will definitely check out the End It Movement website.
ReplyDeleteWhat astounds me is the often-repeated misconception that slavery ended in the 19th century. As you point out, it is not only alive and well, it has become as much an epidemic as other crises like HIV/Aids, poverty, etc. in/around the world and what is widely publicized as "the greatest country in the world" (another idea I take exception to). Regarding human trafficking, though, there is a strong connection with the idea of sex as a form of commerce. The historical roots of this go back further than any of us could probably know, only speculate about. However, the current emphasis (and future emphasis, I'm sure) speaks to a larger idea of sex as impersonal and women and girls, like you say, as more object for sex than as individual/subject. *I'd also add younger boys into this category.* There is a lot to say, most of which has been said before (and with good reason). What I am interested in knowing/learning, however, is if you see a relationship between pornography and human-sex trafficking? If so, what is your stance on the selling/buying of pornography and does it contribute to the selling of people for sex (prostitution included)?
ReplyDeleteThe first thing that provoked my mind on human trafficking was the movie Taken. I'm sure most of you are aware of this movie, but a young girl goes to France and is kidnapped by a human trafficker. During this whole process her father a former CIA operative is tracking the sex ring down to find his daughter. The movie does a great job in my mind of showing how awful and how easily one can be taken away due to human trafficking. Women are worth more than their bodies contrary to some historic thoughts. Women have strong minds and powerful bodies that allow them to do everything a male can do. Women are worth as much as they choose to be worth. I just think sometimes women need help realizing their enormous worth due to harsh societal demands. Creating a culture that does not believe in human sex trafficking begins with making the situation aware and having ways to combat it.
ReplyDeleteAs of the past week, I also heard about the apalling statistics of the Superbowl as it relates to human trafficking. On the same online thread, however I found an article that spoke about how flight attendants were being trained to spot human trafficking victims on flights, it also served as a spotlight for this one seasoned flight attendant who by saving one saved thousands more. Currently she travels all over the globe, conducting workshops and seminars in order to train others to spot warning signs, etc.
ReplyDeleteThus, it also makes sense that we, as future mental health professionals, use psycho education to bring awareness to the dangers of this underground slavery empire, by encouraging positive self concepts, empowering that they find their worth in other endeavors and not just by using their bodies. It is necessary to say that the majority of the victims are taken without consent and forced to engage in deplorable sexual acts with little or no compensation. Perhaps the only "promise" they have in the transaction is inhumane shelter or the temporary seizing of a deportation threat. It is important that we as future therapist also recognize the subtle signs of abuse, coercion, and trafficking.
This blog was very informative, great presentation of a sensitive topic overall!!
Human Trafficking is a topic that I have always been profoundly interested in and I applaud you for advocating it in such an inspiring and succinct manner. After seeing the Lifetime movie "Human Trafficking", I researched the topic extensively in my undergraduate years. The most compelling research I found was by a man named Siddharth Kara, an expert on human trafficking who has researched and travelled around the globe to interview victims and perpetrators, while speaking to foreign governments and parliaments on the topic. His award-winning book "Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery" inspired the film "Trafficked". He does a great job in explaining the whys and hows of human trafficking, both locally and abroad. Culture is the main issue that keeps this endless cycle moving as it instills values in people that de-villainize perpetrators and dehumanize victims. Most societies have no empathy or sympathy for the victims of human trafficking, during or after their enslavement. Women who survive this are often turned away and shunned by their own families and societies. In almost all cultures including the United States being trafficked for sex work, whether it is voluntary or not, taints a woman's reputation for life. Awareness is not always an answer, as in some cultures girls are knowingly sold into the trade by their own families in exchange for money. The families sometimes receive an income from this and will refuse to take a relative back into the family if they stop "contributing". Trafficking is also aided and perpetrated by women, who receive financial incentives and other rewards for bringing new girls into it. In an effort to change this I agree wholeheartedly with Liz, that teaching boys to respect girls as equals instead of commodities is imperative. Alexis brings up an interesting point with her connecting pornography and human trafficking. Not only does pornography inherently demean women and reinforce unrealistic expectations men have for women. Sex trafficking has been used in pornography for years. That is not to say that all pornography falls under the umbrella of human trafficking, but some of the women displayed in those videos are definitely being trafficked. Given the increasing popularity and access to pornography, it is a safe bet to assume that prolonged exposure to pornography would only help human trafficking flourish.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an important topic to discuss, and unfortunately, many people are afraid to talk about it. I had no idea that Super Bowl weekend is the largest human trafficking event. Overall, I was aware this was a big problem, but it wasn't until recently that I realized it was a serious problem right here in Baton Rouge. Around the time of the holidays, a Facebook friend of mine shared a post about incidents happening at the Mall of Louisiana. Take a look at this post from November: https://www.facebook.com/holli.bennett.98/posts/1835165463373054
ReplyDeleteKnowing how close this is to home and how common human trafficking is in the U.S., there is so much that needs to be done to make others aware. I think education is the first step - we need to teach people how to recognize the signs so they can step in before it is too late. Liz mentioned the training for cosmetologists and airlines, and that is a great start. Like any other issue, prevention is key. Perhaps if businesses were more aware of this, they would be more selective in the advertising they choose to put out there, especially when it gives off a message that sex is something you can buy. Women are worth so much more than their bodies and sexuality, and it starts with women truly believing that and advocating for themselves and each other.
I think the possession of a human life is clearly and inherently a grave evil. It is gravely important that anyone who has the ability to change this crime, has an obligation to do so. There are many ways in which we can all have an effect on human trafficking. The obvious is through supporting the organizations that exist. Through the established channels there is real opportunity for improvement. An easier, more local method through which we should all make an effort is through simply treating women as if they are more than just objects of sex. If we can collectively impact society in a way that de-sexualizes women, and humanizes them, then perhaps the demand for cheep, easy sex will also drop. Further, this humanization of women will perhaps also lead to improved confidence and education and decrease the chance that women will be in position to fall into the slavery of human trafficking.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing about this topic and bringing it to light. Human trafficking seems to be easily hidden or overlooked, but the statistics are alarming. I too heard about the training for cosmetologists to identify signs of abuse/trafficking that Liz mentioned in her comment, and as a cosmetologist myself, I think that would be so beneficial. Obviously, it is crucial that we keep this in mind as future counselors as well. Also, that Dolce & Gabbana advertisement makes me want to throat-punch someone!
ReplyDeleteI think more people should get this training! I am reminded of when I worked at a local izzos in undergrad and a pimp would bring his ladies in multiple times a week. I honestly had never seen anything like it, but the guy was literally wearing a velvet hat, with really nice clothes and carrying a cane. I didn't think anything of it at first, but after he came in with maybe four different girls - all who were strung out on something, I asked my manager naively what the deal was. He educated me on the guy's profession but I was kind of in shock for a while as it was literally like the guy had stepped out of a TV show with a cartoon depicting a stereotypical pimp. A week or so later they stopped coming around and apparently there was a bust at the hotel behind our location where 12 women and the guy had been arrested for a huge prostitution ring. I think they said there were like 15 hotel rooms being rented by the lone guy. Experiences like this really blow me away and can show that this is still very alive and kicking.
ReplyDeleteOn the topic of what a woman is worth, I was thinking about it and decided to plug the question into google. I found this site (http://www.havocscope.com/black-market-prices/human-trafficking-prices/) which outlines the cost of children and babies in various countries of the world. They didn't have the US on the list but It absolutely disgusts me and shocks me that in Canada one can purchase a female citizen for 5000 dollars...
Absolutely disgusting.
I guess it really got me thinking about the ways that this is embedded into our culture. For example, Porn and stripping is very obviously sex work and probably a huge gateway and outlet for traffickers and their charges. But it wasn't until my friend, who volunteered for an organization that helped to raise awareness about human trafficking refused to go to Hooters with me one time years ago as it is apparently a recruiting grounds for strip clubs and other kinds of malicious predators.
This gets me to thinking about how many jobs for women are not based on their talents or abilities but solely on subtle undertones of sexuality. For example, waiting tables. While service is the ultimate goal I know plenty of people who have mentioned that they more skin they show the more money they make in a night. This is just one example of how deeply ingrained this monetizing of sexuality really is in our culture.
What other jobs can you think of that have this appeal?
It really could be read into very deeply. But its a dark line of logic...
Your mention of the bust on the prostitution ring brought something to mind that I hadn't thought of; its not only the men involved in prostitution who face consequences, but the prostituted women themselves. Tying this into human trafficking, I asked myself this question: even if not punished in legal sense, there could be a considerable backlash on women who are trafficked and then forced into prostitution on a social level. This could be in the form of forever after being seen as a victim (if in fact they're ever seen again by families or friends) or, although one hopes they wouldn't be, seen as damaged goods by would-be romantic partners in future. This isn't victim blaming per se, but still puts trafficking victims in a category that is seen as undesirable or damaged. What are your thoughts?
DeleteI had become aware of human trafficking through the End It Movement as well. One of my friends in undergrad told me about her organization doing an event for it. Prior to this, I was completely unaware that this is happening all around us. That is terrifying to me that it is so under the radar and that much of the general population does not have a clue about this or how huge this has become. My brother and I were actually talking the other day about how big this is here in Baton Rouge. Again, this blows me away that it is so low-key and you would never know it was happening if you didn't already hear about it. That is why I agree with you that advocacy about this is so important. The more that people learn what this is and how many people it affects every single day, the more people who can learn to look out for it and defend against it. I think it is extremely important to advocate about this in schools so that both students and parents are aware of this epidemic.
ReplyDeleteThe idea that women are degraded to just mere objects is what contributes to a sickening cycle like this. Women are still devalued today even though they are becoming more successful and have more rights than ever before. Yet, we are still struggling to gain rights over our bodies. I think that promoting and teaching women and girls to not only stand up for themselves but for their peers as well. Every girl should be an advocate for all girls. I also agree with a few others who posted that boys and men need to be exposed to how women and girls are portrayed in media so that they can become aware and advocate for them as well. Thank you for your insight in your post and for bringing our attention to this.
Alyssa,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for shedding light on an issue that too many people are uncomfortable to discuss. It concerns me that we generally like to sweep things under the rug instead of addressing issues that are occurring right in our backyards. Human Trafficking is often seen as something that only occurs in “uncivilized” cultures or areas around the world but that is far from the truth. You would think with the prevalence of human trafficking rising advertisement and media would decrease producing over sexual adds. Which also places me in agreeance with your thoughts believing that buying sex is becoming a seemingly “okay” thing to do. During my Junior year of college I went to a forum centered around human trafficking. I vividly remember being in total shock when the guest speaker informed us that Houston and New Orleans were major trafficking cities. She also let us know that trafficking takes place near or on the premises of truck stops and other similar places.
I think in order to create a culture that does not condone selling sex we have to start small. Maybe creating a culture that does not condone selling pornography or going back to the days where certain body parts, language, or over sexual situations could not be shown on television. We live in a culture where these things are not only okay but are heavily indorsed and all the while subconsciously molding our brains into accepting sex as a business.
I became more aware of sex trafficking while living in Austin, Texas, which is dead center of the sex trafficking triangle between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Austin, known for its laid back culture, has a sinister counterculture driven by the slavery of sex trafficking. Like the Super Bowl, special events in Austin such as international Formula One racing and the hugely successful South by Southwest music festival, bring in big crowds which means big business for sex traffickers. Why? Sex sells. Many people were shocked to find out Austin was a hot spot for sex trafficking and preferred to remain ignorant to the issue or the warning signs. The affluent school where I taught was a prime target for sex traffickers. Because of their privilege, many members of the gated community naively believed their girls were protected and could not fall prey to sexual predators. Little did they realize that social media is the great equalizer...anyone can be a victim. It wasn’t until a high school student was abducted after making a connection on social media, that the the actual vulnerability was realized and accepted. Thankfully, our district implemented staff and parent trainings designed to help identify the warning signs of sex trafficking. Sex traffickers do not discriminate based on race or microeconomics. All girls are at risk and will continue to be as long as girls and women are hypersexulized and made to believe their success is dependent upon being hot and sexy. Furthermore, I believe the commercialization of sex through media and easily accessible porn has further skewed men’s ideals of normal women, healthy sexual relations, and further reinforced women as possession. Thank for writing about this topic which is nearing epidemic proportions. Change starts with awareness and critical conversations- you have done both. I would also encourage everyone to take on the responsibility of educating themselves on this topic in order to protect the most vulnerable populations in our society. This is not someone else's problem...it is all of ours to own.
ReplyDeleteHi Alyssa,
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing about this topic. I do believe this topic is very important to always keep in mind. It is extremely sad to see all those statistics on how big is that destructive business. As you mentioned, parents should be aware of how dangerous it is for their daughters to expose themselves in any social media. Predators are out there waiting for an opportunity to attack. We as a community have to start to monitor and take precautions about this huge issue, it could happen anywhere and to anyone. I feel like one thing we could do in the education field, should be to provide and deliver preventive programs in schools, in order to raise the awareness and providing tips on how to recognize a predator or a dangerous situation and also to teach girls how to defend themselves.
Alyssa,
ReplyDeleteI thought your blog was very informative and you brought up some very valid points. For example, I like how you included the picture of the Dolce & Gabanna ad and that you tied it into how it (in a way) promotes the culture around objectifying women and ultimately “selling” them. I sadly agree with you about how all of us (men and women) have become desensitized to these messages.
I am definitely aware of human trafficking, but your statement about how mental health stability is a factor in the susceptibility for students to be trafficked was new to me and caused me to think about the issue a little deeper. It’s easy for us to look a human trafficking as an issue that is too big for us, but as counselors we can actually make a huge contribution, and we have the platform to do so. Like you and many others have mentioned we can try to change the culture and the way that boys view girls, and we can also educate others how to recognize the signs of victims.
It really resonated with me that you said our society has become sensitized to using females in advertising. I do believe that this plays in to the feeling that it is "okay" to treat women as objects because they are being used to sell a multitude of products all over the world. Unfortunately, I do believe this plays a major role in the main theme of your blog, human sex trafficking. I didn't know anything about human trafficking when I first entered college either, but it is clearly a devastating problem by looking at the statistics you have provided. It is difficult to come up with a solution to this problem because it involves such a vast network of criminals who lure and force women into the life of a sex worker. These females may be in positions where they can't protect themselves or defend themselves. Something needs to be done to combat this devastating problem, and I believe it is going to take a monumental effort to end human trafficking.
ReplyDeleteI think human trafficking is an issue that is very hard for people to think about, because it is so heartbreaking. I am glad you talked about it in your blog, because I was unaware of many of the statistics you mentioned. I agree that the way women are depicted in advertisements and the media is doing harm to women. When women are treated like objects in the images you have shared, some people may see these images and think that they can get away with treating women like that. I hope as counselors we can help those who may be susceptible to being taken advantage of. I think something must be done, but I agree with Sean that it will take a lot to put an end to human trafficking.
ReplyDeleteI think human trafficking is an issue that is very hard for people to think about, because it is so heartbreaking. I am glad you talked about it in your blog, because I was unaware of many of the statistics you mentioned. I agree that the way women are depicted in advertisements and the media is doing harm to women. When women are treated like objects in the images you have shared, some people may see these images and think that they can get away with treating women like that. I hope as counselors we can help those who may be susceptible to being taken advantage of. I think something must be done, but I agree with Sean that it will take a lot to put an end to human trafficking.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think it is hard whatsoever to convince the average citizen that human trafficking regardless of their sex, age, or race, that it is wrong. The initial question at the end of the blog I think cannot be answered as I don’t believe you can place a price on a women. That is true with every individual that lives on this earth.
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time a few years ago when I read an article about the amount of sex trafficking that occurs during the super bowl and the days leading up. It blew my mind that with so many people in a common area that such hideous acts like this can occur in the hotel room next to yours. I think in order to end such mass events like this just as the questions suggests, there has to be a cultural shift around the world. I think it is hard as an American in the land of the free and home of the brave to come to realization that such a horrible act is happening as we speak in this country. Labeling and itemizing women or children is wrong and unethical. Im not entirely sure where this culture shift needs to occur, but I know the actions that need to be done. Whether it is just speaking up if something is wrong, and especially for those who are too scared to speak and do not have a voice. At times people blame movies, video games, or music for the violence and choices people make. I think there is a clear line that needs to be drawn so these concrete items are not blamed for peoples actions.
I thought that your statement "selling sex can lead to the thought that buying it is okay too" is so powerful because it is so incredibly true. About 80% of the advertising we see now is of a half naked women and to think that its just the clothes being sold is naive. If you just put up the product with no women in them, it is doubtful that the product would sell as well. When you ask "what is a women worth", the answer seems simple: she is priceless. As are all humans. I am a firm believer that there is no price tag on a human life. This seems to be a concept that has gotten away from us though. Whoever said that it was okay to sell a human life is seriously messed up in the head.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you on this topic. I have discussed this with others and it's really quite disgusting. I wish the media wouldn't portray these images as a way of advertisement. It really transfers in a negative way. Rape and human trafficking are real and shouldn't be capitalized on.
ReplyDeleteI thought your statement...."create a culture and language of respect for women...among women themselves and among men"...is very powerful. I too agree that the media needs to closely examine their advertisements as many as sexually insinuated.I am not sure of the statistic with the Super Bowl and Human trafficking but I can imagine that at such a big event with parties and a melting pot of people...I can sadly and disgustedly imagine that it exists.
ReplyDeleteI completley agree that this is a huge issue that needs to continue to be talked about. I think it ia important to train people the signs to watch for, especially when working in high risk locations or with high risk populations. I have even seen help hotline stickers im gas station bathrooms which I think is a wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteI do however think that another big part of the problem is we live in a society that treats sex in such a secretive and taboo manner. Yes we sexualize things, especially as a means of selling product but in regards to the act of it it is so often avoided like the plague, especially with kids. We are sexual beings though. By creating the taboo we create a shame and secrecy that helps fuel a world in which people go seek out routes of acquiring it where noone can know. If we could find a way to educate children about sex appropriatley and truly encourage the reality of it and the conversations, then we would help alleviate the way sex trafficking is ignored and also potentially alleviate the victim shame so many girls of sex trafficking or rape experience. We hide our sexuality and raise our children to do the same but because we all have desires, we help create the demand of a sexual underground and people who are out to maje a profit and who can so easily disregard another humans life, take advantage of it.