Child prostitution is a complex issue. There is not one reason why it exists, therefore there is not one action that will bring it to an end. However, a better understanding of the issue is one way to contribute. Learn about it through books, movies, articles, and searching the Web and then pass the information on to others. Start a conversation and let this be the beginning of the movement.
DEFINITIONS
Human Trafficking: A modern-day form of slavery. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of sexual exploitation and/or forced labor. Victims are young children, teenagers, men and women. After drug trafficking, human trafficking is tied with the illegal arms industry as the second largest criminal industry in the world today, and it is the fastest growing.
Child Sex Trafficking: The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a child for the purpose of a commercial sex act which is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person forced to perform such an act is under the age of 18 years.
An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked each year - UNICEF
Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC): A fundamental violation of human rights and children’s rights. It arises through a commercial transaction or exchange in which one or more parties gain a benefit – cash, goods or kind – from the exploitation for sexual purposes of someone aged below 18. CSEC includes child prostitution, child pornography, and other forms of transactional sex where a child engages in sexual activities to have key needs fulfilled, such as food, shelter or access to education.
An estimated 2 million children, the majority of them girls, are sexually exploited in the multi billion dollar commercial sex industry. – UNICEF
FACTORS
Child sex trafficking and exploitation exists for many reasons. Below is a way to break it down in order to better understand how it works.
Supply: Children are the most vulnerable of all human beings, therefore, they are easily manipulated and coerced. Children who are desperately poor, orphaned, effected by war or genocide, with a lack of education, and many other socioeconomic hardships are at especially high risk of being sold into sexual slavery. Sadly, there is an endless supply of children at risk throughout our world. However, much can be done by way of prevention and helping children who are at risk. Please see our list or organizations to learn about those who work in prevention and rescue.
Demand: Child sexual exploitation happens because there is a demand for children’s bodies. There are men and women who pay to have sex with a minor and who will travel to places around the world to do so. Child sex tourism is on the rise, however, so are the number of laws being created to stop it. The demand side is often overlooked, but is something that must be addressed in order to see this end.
Business: Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar a year industry. Many don’t recognize it as business, but pimps, pornographers, and traffickers are making a profit off of a child’s innocence everyday. These individuals are smart and know how to manipulate, they are evil and know how to make threats, they are professionals and know how to operate.
Links
Books: This list is by no means extensive. In our research these are the books that we have found particularly helpful to better understanding the complexity of this issue. We urge you to educate yourself by reading the works of these experts, talk about what you have learned, and then choose how you will respond.
“Terrify No More” - Gary Haugen
President of International Justice Mission (IJM) writes of his experiences to free victims of slavery, sex trafficking, and police brutality.
“Woman, Child For Sale: the new slave trade in the 21st century” - Gilbert King
King’s research into today’s slave trade is based on remarks by concerned politicians, news stories and prior academic works, as well as the 2003 Trafficking in Persons Report. It is a valuable compilation of stories and statistics.
“Disposable People: new slavery in the global economy” - Kevin Bales
Bales is considered the leading expert on contemporary slavery. This book contrasts historic slavery with modern-day slavery and the truth of how it effects us all.
“Sex Slave: the trafficking of women in Asia” - Lois Brown
An explicit look into the Asian sex trade. This is a hard read due to graphic content, but tells the story from the victim’s point of view.
“Illicit” - Moises Naim
This book shows the dark side of globalization: human trafficking, drug smuggling, and money laundering to name a few. A great read in order to better understand the economics surrounding human trafficking.
“Not For Sale” - David Batstone
Stories of modern-day slavery around the world and the heroes working against it.
“Sexually Exploited Children: Working to Protect” - Phyllis Kilbourn
Collection of authors providing research from different sides of this issue: what children are at risk, the effects of such a life, and what we can do to help.
Films: This is not an extensive list. There are many films (narratives and documentaries) on the issue of human trafficking. However, we chose to highlight those that speak particularly about the child sex trade. Please be advised that some of these films may be graphic in content and are not intended for all ages.
“Fields of Mudan”
Short film that shows child prostitution through the eyes of a child. Hard to watch as it tears your heart open, but is a definite must see.
“Human Trafficking” Lifetime Original
2 part TV miniseries starring Mira Sorvino. Following fictional cases of young woman around the world sold into prostitution.
“Born Into Brothels”
Academy award winning documentary highlighting the lives of children born into the Red Light District of Calcutta, India. The filmmakers inspire the children to use photography to show their world. A beautiful film for many reasons, but the main reason being the response that it created.
“Trading Women”
Narrated by Angelina Jolie, this film documents the sex trade in China, Burma, and Thailand. Although not focusing solely on children, this film shows the existence of the issue internationally.
“Turning a Corner” Documentary on the stories of those affected by the sex trade in Chicago and their efforts to raise awareness for necessary policy reforms.
“Trade” Newly released feature narrative film about a girl abducted from Mexico City and sold into sex slavery. The films narrative is found in her brother’s search to rescue her.
“Price of Youth”
Narrated by Winona Rider this is a 10 min short highlighting sex trafficking in India and Nepal.
“Cargo”
Informational film with voices of authority on the issue as it exists in the US.
“Anamika: Documentary”
Exposing the issue of child commercial sexual exploitation in India, this documentary delves into the sex trade, including both physical and mental destruction.
Organizations The Organizations below are working tirelessly to improve the lives of boys and girls that are trapped in the sex trade... preventing, rescuing, educating and restoring those who have been able to escape. Please take time to see what they are doing.
Thai Based Organizations
VCDF - Chiang Rai, Thailand
From buying trafficked children and bringing them to safety to establishing relationships with street children, VCDF is a Thai run orphanage seeking to provide children with a safe home, education, and opportunity.
Whispering Seed
The Whispering Seed is a village based sustainable living and learning center and home for children who have been orphaned, abused and neglected along the Thai-Burmese border.
The Garden of Hope - Chiang Mai, Thailand Invites people into life-changing relationships in the midst of daily life and work where they can experience dignity, healing, and hope.
Internationally Based Organizations
ECPAT International
Networking to encourage the world community to ensure that children everywhere enjoy their fundamental rights free from all forms of commercial sexual exploitation.
Stop The Traffick
People shouldn’t be bought and sold. Working to abolish human trafficking as a whole.
IJM
A human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression.
American Based Organizations
Tiny Stars
Dedicated to exposing and stopping commercial sexual exploitation of children by working with federal law enforcement to capture American child predators.
Polaris Project
Based in the United States and Japan, we bring together community members, survivors, and professionals to fight trafficking and slavery in the spirit of a modern-day Underground Railroad.
Restore NYC
Serving trafficked and prostituted women who want to leave the sex trade.
Not For Sale campaign
Campaign to end slavery in our lifetime
Redlight Children
Campaign seeking to generate conscious concern and inspire immediate action against child exploitation.
MISSEY
Motivating, Inspiring, Supporting and Serving Sexually Exploited Youth
Shared Hope International
Working to prevent, rescue, and restore victims of sex trafficking around the globe.