Can we stop human trafficking?

[MLE (Emily Cotton)]

As can be deduced from my signature, this is my cause. I am particularly involved in preventing the trafficking of children into the global sex industry. I thought this NY Times article about a raid conducted by an International Justice Mission worker worth sharing.

Sexual abuse of children results in lifelong consequences and struggles for those subjected to it. After years working with American homeless women, many days in Family Court with clients (whose children, twenty years later, I am still in contact with, so I know what I speak of), I am continually appalled by the casual attitude towards children as sex commodities in countries like Thailand, China, Pakistan, India, and all of Africa.

So what would you do to stop it? Or is it like slavery in ancient days, where we just turn our heads away and be thankful we won the 'birth lottery'?

[Margaret]

I don't know the answer, but I've just finished reading The Dawn Country, the latest novel by Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear, set among the Iroquois Nation peoples before the coming of the Europeans, and it was all about children trying to escape from sex trafficking and their parents, former enemies, banding together to try to rescue them. Perhaps the Gears would be interested in joining your effort.

[Divia]

Sold is a YA book that deals with this as well. Its a great fast read and rather graphic.

I think the problem with human trafficking is that it doesn't hit us on a daily bases. I mean unless something is in an American's face they tend to forget about it. Slavery was in the South's face all the time, but as long as it didn't impact their lives they pretty much didn't care.

Part of the problem is that we don't think slavery like this happens in our modern world.

Personally I think more needs to be done on the subject besides the sparse 1 hour speicals that CNN or Fox news does.