Sex Trafficking: The Demand Side

Through the monthly newsletter I receive from Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition, I found out about a case of a “John” (the customer using the services of girls and women in the sex industry) who was charged with the crime of sex trafficking. Anyone familiar with sex trafficking and the controversial issue of targeting the women, not the men using them, as criminals, could view the event as a great milestone.

Regardless of the still existing glamorization of the so-called “pimp lifestyle” in modern news and media, most people, even with a dearth of knowledge on sex trafficking, would readily assume and believe that the methods traffickers use to control the women serve as a proof that they are evil and quite dangerous individuals. It has been pointed out that the focus of the Bush Administration was to portray the traffickers and similar abusers of the innocent as “evil”. Even though research on the nature of traffickers, the reasons behind their actions, and factors that contribute to one becoming a trafficker is not abundant, most advocates readily agree that those are evil people. As a result, most efforts to fight the illegal sex trade have been targeted at traffickers as they are assumed to be the criminals driving this business. Certainly, traffickers could be dangerous and regularly torture the women they possess and as such, they should be punished, but they are not the only important actors in the equation of sex trafficking. 

Even if the treatment toward traffickers and pimps is varied and punishment not as severe as deserved, even less of a proper courtesy has generally been extended to the people on the demand side of the equation. The buyers of the services of trafficked females are an important variable in the business of sex trafficking and their demand is what stimulates the growth and sustainability of the trade. Academics and researchers argue that the established international documents against the traffic of women into the sex industry have failed to acknowledge the strength of the demand and the need for harsher policies to target its reduction. Even though the fines for arrested pimps are ridiculous, the consequence received by buyers is close to being non-existent. The “johns” are generally released if caught and even if fined, the fine is purely symbolic. They are considered to be men acting as men and using a prostitute can even be viewed as a rite of passage. What is even more disturbing is that certain societies blame foreign women, and not the men who purchase and abuse them, as the sole reason for the degradation of morals in that society. Should buyers be labeled as criminals and punished accordingly? The answer to this question is much more multifarious than it might seem at a first glance. That they deserve the appropriate consequence is without argument. However, describing them as a homogenous group of evil, emotionless sex addicts coming from the lowest rungs in society and who possess a complete lack of empathy and no morals might not necessarily be appropriate and would probably not help the exploited women. Certain cultural, social, and historical factors contribute to and sustain the increase in the demand for sex services and the resulting increase in the traffic of women to satisfy this demand. These factors and their origins must be thoroughly examined and evaluated for a comprehensive understanding of the trafficking process that contributes to modern-day slavery before any successful attempts to curtail the demand are made.  

Therefore, further research on the factors contributing to the wide-spread demand for women in the sex industry and indirectly impacting the increased trafficking of women is paramount in the understanding and eventual eradication of existing exploitation in the sex industry. I believe that an understanding of the demand side of this equation is just as important as the understanding of the actors on the supply end. International and domestic organizations are gradually becoming interested in and acknowledge the importance of research on male demand and the factors that impact it. For as long as there is a demand for a product, there will be a person or persons supplying it. Therefore, to successfully approach the issue people need to look at both sides of the transaction: the traffickers as well as the consumers.

-       Krasi

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms

As a young girl, I had the great fortune to be raised in the countryside of Bulgaria and learn the value of working one’s land and grow one’s own produce. Even though at the time I often complained about having to spend time helping my parents instead of playing with my friends (it was summer vacation after all), I now realize that this was a positive experience that taught me the true cost and worth of labour. Taking into consideration the literature on forced labour and exploitation I have been focusing on during the past few years, I clearly understand the importance of being able to work one’s own piece of land, however small, and be able to support one’s family. In my opinion, everyone should have the chance to work on a farm at least once in her life, especially if that person is interested in eradicating labour exploitation. And now I have learned about the perfect opportunity to achieve that. 

Recently, through one of the many newsletters I subscribe to, I found out about the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, an organization that combines two favorite activities of mine: traveling around the world exploring different cultures and working on a farm contributing to a sustainable way of living. Apparently, this idea first made an appearance in 1971 and I can’t believe I am just now hearing about it. It puts couch surfing to shame as far as I am concerned. The hope, of course, is that I will actually have the time and opportunity to participate in this wonderful and adventurous opportunity. Maybe I should just quit school for a while and start traveling and being productive:). 

-          Krasi

Drive-in Theatres

A friend of mine once posted on Facebook a picture of speakers at the drive-in movies from the 1970s. The purpose of the picture was to show that if a person knows what’s on the picture, she must have lived during that time. I had no idea what was on the picture and promptly asked, “So what is it?” 

The truth is I had the rare opportunity to go to a traditional drive-in theater as a college student in the Appalachian Mountains in the state of West Virginia. And I went more than once. I have always proclaimed myself to be a movie addict and while in high school, I even dreamed about working at a movie theater so that I could get to see all the movies. Following my first visit to the traditional drive-in theatre, however, I was whole-heartedly hooked on this unique activity and being in a regular theatre was no longer the wondrous experience I once thought it to be. 

Paying $10 per carload to see two movies and having the opportunity to relax under a clear and starry sky, breathing the crisp mountain air, seemed like the perfect night out for the money-deprived college students who love the outdoors and movies:). I naturally wondered, why aren’t there more drive-in theatres around the U.S. and why isn’t everyone demanding their existence? Upon further research (yes, I researched the issue of drive-in movies!), I found out that even though they were once very popular (with over 4,000 spread around the U.S.), in the 80s and 90s, there was a sharp decline in interest. According to the latest estimates, the number of theatres is now down to a little over 350. Of those, it is not clear how many are traditional drive-ins.  

Even before I encountered outdoor theatres, I had difficulty understanding people who adamantly believe that watching a DVD at home could even remotely compare to watching a movie in the cinema. After the experience in a traditional drive-in theatre, I am now truly baffled as to who would prefer to watch a movie inside. With the emphasis on surround sound, and Blu-Ray, and 3D, and other such effects I am not familiar with, it appears that similar to everything else in our fast-paced, material, and complex lives, we demand more and more when it comes to the simple experience of watching and enjoying a movie. And while waiting to see the latest blockbuster, we complain about the outrageous ticket prices and the cost of concessions in the theatres. Then we wonder why no one seems to be content with their lives. Simple sometimes is better. 

To find where there’s a drive-in in your state, please visit DriveInMovie. 

-          Krasi

EURO 2012

For the past one week or so, similar to millions of other people, I have been enjoying the group stage of Euro 2012. I love football and try my best to watch games of the World Cup or the Euro Cup, but as a result of my increased involvement in the field of human rights and my particular interest in trafficking in persons, I have recently discovered a different side to two of the biggest sport events in the world. 

Kathryn Farr is definitely correct when she observes, “It is almost a truism that wherever sizable groups of men congregate away from their homes and families – whether to fight or to seek refuge from fighting, to keep the peace, to work, or to play – demand for prostitution increases”. In her book, she focuses on armed conflicts and the resulting abuse of women and young girls on a large scale, whether before, during, or after the conflict. Her statement, however, could certainly be applied to events happening in the absence of an armed confrontation. By emphasizing patriarchal structures, Farr acknowledges that the devaluation of the feminine and exultation of the masculine lead to wide-spread prostitution and rape. What she highlights is that both rape and the use of prostitutes are thought to be inevitable, if not normal, behaviors of men, especially in the excitement of an event that brings out what society considers male characteristics: aggression and power. To satisfy the high demand for sexual services during times of a major event, the criminal organizations do not shy away from resorting to violence, force, and coercion to make sure there are sufficient numbers of women to meet the demand. 

Sexual abuse is what shocks the general public, but it is not at all the only form of human trafficking that permeates major sport events. During the 2010 World Cup, for example, there were several reports about child labour used to make the necessary for each game soccer ball. Further, thousands of men were brought from surrounding countries to assist with the construction of venues and the upkeep of fields. When the euphoria of the World Cup subsided and the sounds of vuvuzelas dissipated, many of these men were left with no payment and no opportunity to even return to their home nations, which only made them more vulnerable and perfect targets for future exploitation. 

The issues with exploited or forced labor certainly apply to any major event, sport or otherwise (see: EUROVISION). The problem is not simply that exploitation takes place in order for millions to enjoy a game; the problem is that such abuses are considered a necessary and inevitable aspect of such events and that there is not much that could be done to prevent them. Fortunately, many are starting to talk about and expose these violations and it would soon be hard for those responsible to dismiss and ignore them.

HRW Building a Better World Cup

-       Krasi

Torture Part Deux

As I mentioned in a previous post, spring quarter 2012 is almost over (almost because I still have one last paper to polish and submit...) and I am quite ready for summer. Before that happens, however, I think I should add some reflections from the seminar on torture I completed. I can honestly say that I wish I had not seen some of the pictures and films presented during the seminar, but I understand why it is important that we do see them and acknowledge them.

 

Several years ago I watched a documentary on the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster of 1986. The purpose of the documentary was to reveal a step by step description of what exactly went wrong. What made an impression on me was the fact that the disaster happened because everything went wrong. It was not simply a human error, it was not just one person’s error, it was not just one safety device failing. The breakdown of all the elements in the chain allowed the disaster to happen. Similarly, the practice of torture occurs not because one person has a particular taste for violence or because there is a failure in the system. Everyone must participate, either as a torturer, as a sanctioner, or as a bystander. 

As the Chilean novelist Ariel Dorfman points out, the type of regime has no relevance to the use of torture; rather, as long as those in charge are able to present a worthy goal of some ultimate freedom and security, the act of torture will be accepted and condoned by the majority. How the act is presented to the world highly relies on the point of view. Depending on whose side a person is on, torture can either be a great violation of human dignity or the ultimate expression of patriotism in the pursuit of security to the homeland. 

Orwell portrays the danger of such distinctions and in his work Animal Farm stresses that considering the behavior one engages in, the label of that behavior is irrelevant to the outside observer. If all nations, regardless of how democratic they are, choose to employ torture to ensure security, the line between us and them is erased and if a true outsider were to look through a hypothetical window, he would not be able to distinguish between enemy and friends because without the knowledge of who is “us” and who is “them”, all humans would look the same to him as far as the practice of torture is concerned. 

The fact that there is no difference between the so-called enemies and ourselves when it comes to disrespecting the law, each other, and humanity in general should be known to most people. However, we are used to pointing fingers at others and finding rationalizations for actions that would easily be regarded as despicable if committed by the enemy. A cultural shift is indeed in order if we are to stop ignoring what goes on in our own neighborhood before we start searching for criminals in the town across the river (or ocean). Until we realize that language is a means of controlling one’s thoughts and ideas, it will be hard to acknowledge that there is no difference between a dictatorial “enemy” torturing our combatants and our combatants “harshly interrogating” the enemy under the sanction of democracy. 

 - Krasi

Summer 2012

I just submitted two of the four final papers I have due for spring quarter 2012 and I am trying to find the motivation to finish the other two by Friday and have my first year as an International Human Rights student officially completed. Yep, it is certainly time for a summer full of adventures, a great internship, and some well-deserved rest!

Even though the majority of the Korbel students are off to pursue wonderful opportunities at a variety of international internships all over the world, some of us are staying locally in Denver and are looking forward to having some nature time. With the Rocky Mountains nearby, the expectation is that this is not to be a difficult goal to achieve. In addition, I am not giving out details, but there is an amazing road trip in the works and the number of national parks visited by me is about to grow:). 

Hiking, camping, and mountain-exploring are not the only items on the summer agenda, however. Starting on June 14, I will begin my internship at the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking and become directly involved in the fight against human trafficking by contributing as a research assistant and an advocate. Hopefully, the relationships built and the information acquired will also be fundamental to the completion of my HTC research project. 

Between the adventurous trips and productive work, enjoying shows and films that have nothing to do with genocide, war, or torture, reading at least some of the books on my to-read list, researching internship opportunities in DC, and contributing to this blog are other activities I am determined to engage in. Oh yes, it is time for great two and a half months of summer!

Just need to finish the remaining two papers first…

-          Krasi

International Children's Day

I can attest to the fact that holidays and opportunities for celebration were not in short supply when I was growing up. However, there was one day every year that was by far the most exciting and expected holiday by any kid in school. No, I am not referring to my birthday and the opportunity to eat my mother’s homemade cake and other scrumptious desserts:). That day was definitely one of the highlights during the school year, but what I am focusing on in this post is Children’s Day celebrated on June 1^st. 

On that day, school was out and we all got to play our preferred games outside. My favorite event of the day, however, was when teachers would bring out color chalk and let us draw what we wanted to on the street. A whole street would be blocked off so each child could have all the space to create his or her masterpiece. This was no ordinary experience as the opportunity for sidewalk drawings, common today, was not really an option when I was a kid. 

Fun fact: all drivers are supposed to drive with the lights on June 1st to signify extra alertness when it comes to child safety.

No matter how old I become, I will always keep memories of a great childhood with me, June 1^st will forever be Children’s Day and bring out wonderful recollections of summers spent outside running and laughing, playing dodge ball or jumping jacks, chasing each other in wide-open fields, as well as of winters spent sliding down hills on pieces of plastic and getting soaked from the snow melting on our clothes. Good times! I have no idea what children nowadays do to have fun, but from what I hear, it is not even close to what I was fortunate enough to have. 

And here is my absolutely favorite childhood song from the 1981 Bulgarian film Unexpected Vacation. Sorry if you don’t speak Bulgarian:)

Happy Children's Day to all of you still kids at heart!

-          Krasi