Category: Uncategorized

                                     

---

On the left is a chart of the regions where human trafficking is most common. Southeast Asia is the global center for human trafficking entirely, and the main center by far for sex trafficking specifically. On the right is a color coded map of which countries in the Southeast Asian region are actively trying to fight the sex trafficking industry, and which are not. Unfortunately, many governments indirectly and/or directly benefit from the sex trafficking industry, which leads some of them to refuse to meet global standards. This is why international intervention might be a good idea, so that international institutions can hold these corrupt governments accountable.

“Our approach is to help the Last girl re-gain control of her destiny. The last girl is poor, female, low-caste, and a teenager. Additionally, she may be the daughter or sister of a prostituted woman or a victim of child marriage or domestic servitude. She is preyed on by traffickers because of her lack of choices and forms the “supply.” Traffickers and Clients/Johns who buy and sell these girls form the “demand.” Our approach simultaneously tackles both the “supply side” and the “demand side”of the sex trafficking industry – from the grassroots to the tree tops.” – Ruchira Gupta

Apne Aap is a grassroots organization from India, founded in 2002 by Ruchira Gupta along with a strong group of women who had all been victims of sexual violence in one form or another. They lobby for policy change, set up self-empowerment groups (SEGs) and safe places for women in small communities, and spread awareness of sexual violence in the international community. Apne Aap fights for women’s rights and to give women the opportunity to escape sexual violence; they believe that sex trafficking is the result of systemic problems, and they fight to fix those problems. This organization is a perfect example of women fighting for women, and the powers that a grassroots organization can have.

Visit them here:  https://apneaap.org/our-approach/

Why is it so important that we care about sex trafficking?

BECAUSE IT’S A MUCH LARGER PROBLEM THAN WE THINK…

The sex trafficking industry, and human trafficking as a whole, destroys the lives of tens of millions of people every year. The lives of both victims and their families are irrevocably changed by the psychological and physical harms endured. This industry must be eradicated  through effective cultural, societal, legal, and economic measures.

Notable statistics :

“The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that there are currently 25 million victims of human trafficking around the world.” (Forbes)

“Annually, the business of human trafficking globally generates an estimated $150 billion in profits according to the ILO” (Forbes)–> “The ILO estimates that sex trafficking and labor trafficking generate $99
 billion and $51 billion in revenues worldwide, respectively.” (UNITAS)

“The ILO estimates that of the 40+ million trafficked people, 25% are children” (UNITAS)

“Women and girls are disproportionately affected by modern slavery, accounting for an estimated 71% (29MM) of the overall total, while men and boys account for 29%” (UNITAS)

Further explore the mentioned organizations:

UNITAS: https://www.unitas.ngo

ILO: https://www.ilo.org/global/lang–en/index.htm

If you scan this QR code, you can go to a page with a lot of really interesting interactive graphs and charts that demonstrate many statistics about sex trafficking. One of those is focused on the vulnerability factors that influence the prevalence of the sex trade in a certain region. While these statistics are generalized, and cannot do justice to each individual story of sexual violence, they show just how large the global sex trafficking industry is. That is why below this is a video of victims sharing their stories. Please be warned that that content might not be suitable for all viewers.

On the left there is a chart from the International Monetary Fund showing the percentage of where the human trafficking industry operates. Please note that this is human trafficking as a whole, not just sex trafficking.

On the right there is a color-coded map from the Atlas Institute for International Affairs showing places where the governments do or don’t comply with international standards of human rights and fighting sex trafficking. It is an unfortunate reality that many governments in Southeast Asia either directly or indirectly profit from the sex trafficking business, and therefore do not do much to stop it. That is why international involvement may be necessary to hold these places accountable.

https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2018/09/human-trafficking-in-southeast-asia-caballero.htm