What is Sex Trafficking?
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Sex trafficking is a global phenomenon that can be seen in both the developed and developing countries of the world. Sex trafficking is not simply a single act of paying for acts of sex, but it is a much more complex process. According to the United Nations, trafficking needs an action, a means, and a purpose for the action and means (ACT, 2012). Prostitution can often be mistaken for a woman's right to have the freedom to do what she wishes with her body and make a living that way. However sex trafficking and prostitution largely affects minority women who are living a life of poverty, or have backgrounds of sexual violence. This because local prostitute markets are fuelled by the demands of mainly men from all backgrounds who desire to purchase women for the purpose of sexual slavery. Therefore human traffickers and pimps will find women who are usually in situations of extreme desperation and coerce them into prostitution. They will then control the women through threats, force, deception, and other abuses of power to keep them from running away. Furthermore it is the pimps, human traffickers, and brothel owners who receive most, if not all of the profits that are made through prostitution (REED, 2012). Even if these women do escape the trade, they are still haunted by the consequences which include long-lastying physical and psychological trauma, disease, drug addiction, unintended pregnancy, and social ostracism (Alliance Against, 2012). The myth of women selling their bodies as a right and a freedom is more often than not far from the reality of the industry.
The largest form of sex trafficking on the planet takes the form of international trafficking which includes the transportation of women (and sometimes men) across borders. Here in Canada there are many push and pull factors that can create a market for international trafficking to thrive. Push factors such as extreme poverty, unemployment, lack of education, conflict, and political unrest can create a situation where women will look for opportunities elsewhere to escape their home country . Canada also provides many pull factors for desperate women, which include a globalized free market economy, enhanced goods and services, and a promise for money and what is seen as an opportunity for a better life. These opportunities are often found in the promises of modelling jobs abroad which become a front for prostitution procurement. (ACT, 2012).
Another form of sex trafficking that can be found throughout Canada is Domestic trafficking which involves the exploitation of residences of the country. Those who are at risk in Canada can include persons who are socially or economically disadvantaged, youth and children, migrants and new immigrants, teenaged runaways, children who are in protection, as well as girls and women who may be lured to large urban centers or who move or migrate there voluntarily. Aboriginal girls and women are even further at risk of being trafficked domestically than those of non-aboriginal descent. Victims of domestic trafficking are often recruited over the internet or by acquaintance and then manipulated to enter the sex trade. They often will find themselves to be forced to prostitute themselves at exotic dance clubs, escort services, or on the street (ACT, 2012).
The largest form of sex trafficking on the planet takes the form of international trafficking which includes the transportation of women (and sometimes men) across borders. Here in Canada there are many push and pull factors that can create a market for international trafficking to thrive. Push factors such as extreme poverty, unemployment, lack of education, conflict, and political unrest can create a situation where women will look for opportunities elsewhere to escape their home country . Canada also provides many pull factors for desperate women, which include a globalized free market economy, enhanced goods and services, and a promise for money and what is seen as an opportunity for a better life. These opportunities are often found in the promises of modelling jobs abroad which become a front for prostitution procurement. (ACT, 2012).
Another form of sex trafficking that can be found throughout Canada is Domestic trafficking which involves the exploitation of residences of the country. Those who are at risk in Canada can include persons who are socially or economically disadvantaged, youth and children, migrants and new immigrants, teenaged runaways, children who are in protection, as well as girls and women who may be lured to large urban centers or who move or migrate there voluntarily. Aboriginal girls and women are even further at risk of being trafficked domestically than those of non-aboriginal descent. Victims of domestic trafficking are often recruited over the internet or by acquaintance and then manipulated to enter the sex trade. They often will find themselves to be forced to prostitute themselves at exotic dance clubs, escort services, or on the street (ACT, 2012).