“The problem is growing. Following drug dealing, “trafficking of humans as the second largest criminal industry in the world, and is the fastest growing.” (US Dept of State) It is estimated that in 2005 alone, 1.2 million children were transported for the purpose of exploitation. Most often, these children are used for prostitution, sex tourism, and pornography. They are as young as the age of five. They are exposed to disease, abuse, pregnancy, AIDS, and forced drug addiction. They have barely begun life, before it is stripped from them. At times, they are forced to service up to 30 customers a day.
For the criminals behind human trafficking, the reasons are simple. A human can be sold multiple times, bringing in more money unlike drugs or arms which can be sold once. And demand is growing.”
Read more, learn more at Amy’s.
Years ago International Justice Mission sent me a longer version of the video below. It chronicles their work freeing sex slaves in Cambodia where American businessmen (and others) make sex with children part of their vacation. It’s disturbing but worth watching to get a better picture of what the problem is and what one solution might be. What other solutions can you think of or have you come across?
I’m not sure what the solution would be, but one thing the US can do is to make sure that ALL American’s caught in this crime are punished to the fullest extent of US Law. That means locking them up and throwing away the key.
Beth
Thanks for telling people about IJM! I wanted to tell you about a contest IJM is currently in the running for:
Help IJM Win $100,000!
International Justice Mission is in the final round of a competition for $100,000 to support our work, and we need your vote to win!
Every day, from July 9 through August 10, we need as many people as possible to go online to http://www.Rezoom.com/ABETTERWORLD and vote once a day, everyday, for the entire month.
For more information about the work of International Justice Mission go to http://www.ijm.org