TAKEN: Child Sex Trafficking

Ever since I saw the movie "Taken," I couldn't get over how serious sex trafficking was portrayed as business. I wasn't sure whether the movie overly exaggerated the severity of Europe's human trafficking industry. Child sex trafficking can also be known as sex tourism and prostitution; all of which occur everyday around the world. Recruiting, smuggling, transporting, buying, selling and so forth of young innocent human beings is selfishly outrageous. Victims emphasize the definition of "disposability." In general, human trafficking is the second largest world crime after illegal drugs. According to CNN online, global commercial sex exploits one million children annually. Unfortunately, 100,000- 300,000 children in America are victims each year.

Child sex trafficking is not a primary topic often discussed in comparative ethnic studies courses (or at least, not in classes I have had). Many people are unaware of the actual issue itself. I personally would like to learn more about this world-wide problem and allow others to become more knowledgeable in this area. In a strange way, I find this topic very interesting and engaging. I think there's a whole array of things that can be learned about global inequality and the global economy through child sex trafficking. There are many questions about this issue I wish to find answers to. A useful resource for understanding this problem across various countries is http://www.humantrafficking.org/countries. Also, http://ifsw.org/p38001883 provides images of child trafficking international routes.

I believe sex trafficking of children relates to themes of this globalization and inequality course because it has everything to do with institutions, race, economies, and social inequality. This issue is very broad and common throughout the world, yet it can also be viewed as one of the most under estimated crimes. These children's lives are considered unimportant and unworthy. They are being exploited by their own countries by mobsters, gangs, etc. and can't ask anybody for help. Their pesonal dignity, and more importantly their freedom and health are being robbed in sickening ways. Where and what is the justice for this type of crime? Government systems are not doing enough, fast enough to stop this business from growing each day. I hope by the end of this semester, I'll be more familiar with this issue and that it'll also become a primary choice when discussing global matters. Children are our future, we should be protecting them, not exploiting them.