ENG3U Name: Natasha Jiwa

Persuasive Speech

Human trafficking, especially of women and children is a reflection of the varied and complex social
issues faced on a global scale. Asia is seen as the most susceptible area due to its growing population,
political structure and poverty. However many in developed countries do not realize their slavery
footprint and the power of their consumer dollars that fuels this injustice even half way across the world.

The commercial sex industry has grown at an alarming rate over the last few decades. Much of this is
due to the development of sex tourism in many Asian countries. The numbers being represented in
Asia represents nearly half the world total. Sex trafficking can be highly visible such as street
prostitution, or hidden such as in brothels, spas, massage parlors, strip clubs and pornography. Sex
trafficking is often characterized by low risk, high profit, meaning that traffickers are looking for those in
the most vulnerable positions in areas of poverty or little social power and weak law enforcement. It is
estimated that there are approximately 80,000100,000 prostitutes in Cambodia. There are about
17,000 prostitutes in Phnom Penh, of whom about 30 % are estimated to be under 18 years of age.
Accordingly, the number of child prostitutes in Phnom Penh would be about 5,000. These numbers are
expected to grow. Due to the industry growing, there will be a backlash of other consequences. Crime
rates and poverty will significantly increase which will only lead to less productivity in a country. Victims
of sex trafficking are often left physically, emotionally and physiologically damaged. Emotional effects
include feelings of isolation, grief and shame. Physiological effects include suicidal thoughts,
depression, insomnia and shock, which display signs of posttraumatic disorder. Physical effects
include, HIV, STDS, broken bones, bruises, and reproductive health problems. Over 71% of trafficked
victims display suicidal tendencies, with a large majority of them being children. Also In South Asia,
women are now reported to constitute up to 35% of new HIV infections (UNAIDS, 2000). HIV infections
impact significantly upon the education sector, labor and productivity and wider economy. It delays
progression within the country, and encourages poverty even more so. Some may argue that one of the
benefits of sex trafficking is that it provides employment. However the pimps who control these women
make about 90% or more of the profit. The women get barely enough to survive off of. There are
absolutely no benefits to the victims of sex trafficking. It is not employment, but in fact slavery. These
people are not employed members of society, but are victims that society turns a blind eye towards.
The growing sex industry is cause for concern. The worst part is that much of society doesnt even
realize sex trafficking is an issue due to the nature of the industry.

Sex trafficking victims can happen anywhere, and can happen to anyone. Because sex trafficking is
often masked as prostitution, the public does not feel outraged. Slaves are dehumanized and treated as
commodities and are physically or physiologically constrained and unable to escape. Slaveholders seek
control over every aspect of the victims life so that escaping becomes unthinkable. Because of the
prevalence of gender discrimination, harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, female
infanticide and pre-natal sex selection are still widespread. Additionally, the devaluation of women
leads to girls and women being sold into human bondage and sexual slavery. Oftentimes the victims
are taken to different countries so they dont speak or understand the language and have no resources
for escape. The imbalances with the decreasing number of women do to things like infanticide, and
other practices have resulted in at least 60 million missing girls in Asia. Besides creating gender
imbalances it also will have other serious consequences for years to come. The imbalances are giving
a rise to the commercial sex trade; almost 800,000 people are being trafficked across borders each
year, 80% are women and girls. Men in Asia cannot find brides because of the shortage of women.
Traffickers target 12-17 year old children as their choice candidates, because they have a longer shelf
life - meaning that they can get more years out of the victim. 1.2 million children are trafficked each
year. Children are often held captive, beaten, and starved to force them into prostitution. Traffickers
target children most commonly from communities that lack social power, at times with consent of the
parents. Parents often sell their children to recruiters for a cash profit, even though they know the child
will be used for forced labor or sexual exploitation. Sex trafficking violates a woman and childs right to
life, liberty, and security which is one of the 30 universal human rights. Some may argue that sex
trafficking improves and fuels healthy migration. However it is illegal; migration and the demand has
created a breeding ground for criminal organizations and employers, who have learned to exploit
people in vulnerable positions .Migration has become a multibillion-dollar industry that can be extremely
lucrative for those willing to use physical violence and restraint. People should care about this issue, on
a global scale. Because in some way or another you are affected by it. Sex trafficking can happen
anywhere and to anyone even locally.

The demand of labor is what allows this injustice to continue. The main reason sex trafficking happens
is because it is an especially lucrative business, an estimated $32 billion industry. Many sex tourists are
local, but a large majority of them come from abroad. Pornography is also especially demanded
globally which is what increases the supply of labor, allowing this injustice to continue. As the privileged
living in developed countries, we have the power to use our consumer dollars to make socially
conscious and responsible choices, which reduce our slavery footprint. By not participating in sex
tourism, and not creating the demand for pornography by using such resources, we lessen the demand,
which in turn lessens the supply. Though the exact numbers are not known, there is a significant
number of North Americans that travel abroad for sex tourism.That is why it is of utmost importance to
educate North Americans about their slavery footprint, and how their demand fuels this issue. We need
to cap the demand by educating them. Often the pornography that people in first world countries view is
actually sexual slavery. The so called actors that are in the film may be doing it out of fear or are being
forced to Star in these films. One common way these girls are forced into being in pornographic films
is by having their passport held hostage. They are promised a way out of their terrible lives in their
home country, brought to a new country with a promise of a better life and then their passports and
legal documents are taken away from them until they are done being used. Often the women do not
even get the chance to go back and see their families, or even given their passports and documents
again. By watching and paying for films of this caliber viewers in first world countries are supporting and
giving the industry moguls a reason to continue to do this and more awareness must be raised about
this issue. It is well known that sex trafficking is an extremely lucrative business, a $32 billion dollar
industry. Many think it is beneficial because it boosts the economy. However because it is an
underground industry, and largely criminal, there are no taxes paid to the government, which doesnt
benefit the public at all. Criminals need to stop getting away with fraud, and exploiting women and
children. The law has a difficult time protecting victims, and also convicting criminals. There needs to
be more extensive laws that will put criminals in their place, rather than letting them get away with this
terrible crime. Awareness for this issue is necessary for there to be any change implemented, either
through changing the demand, or changing the way the government deals with this issue.

Sex trafficking and slavery is something that should have been stamped out a long time ago, however it
is still alive and well today. One of the ways that you as North Americans can make a difference is
make others aware of the issue. Educate them how their actions could be creating the demand for
these illegal practices. Sex trafficking isnt something to be taken lightly. This serious matter is often
over looked because of its nature. Many people think its a choice, when often its not. The impact sex
trafficking has on the victim is hard to understand. Women are stripped of their rights, freedom, and
humanity. Theyre treated as property of a pimp. But no one can understand the emotional and physical
trauma that sex trafficking victims endure. It is complex and difficult to understand. What is not difficult
to understand is that no one.no one should have their humanity stripped from them and be treated
like that.