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It's absolutely sickening what those who can scrounge up the power will do to people, power that's easily maintained through misogyny and through a culture of child abuse. I don't know that for me, it seemed a stretch to think about the misogyny I see every day and the statistics on rape that I already know and imagine that people would abduct and enslave women and children like this, but it's nonetheless horrific. I think it's important for America to own our misogyny and deal with it, and for countries globally to address the gender inequity that allows these abuses to happen, along with the abuses themselves.
- Misha Lehmann

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Reading about sex tourism was difficult for me as well, both in Sold (where white, foreign men abused women with no consequences by traveling) and in the outside readings. I definitely think it's important that we work together globally to come up with solutions that hold people accountable for their actions wherever they are, so that they can't get off with a slap on the wrist, if anything, or worse yet, just act with impunity by traveling. It was definitely difficult to read about!
-Misha Lehmann

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I agree, that sex trafficking is happening all around us, not only in places like Nepal and India. It's truly sad that the poor young females are the ones that get trafficked the most often, especially ones with limited to no English language skills. I'm glad you made the point to to mention that even in the United States sex slavery includes brothels, strip clubs and on the streets because people don't make that connection. Most of the time these young women and men are just looking for jobs to help their families, never imagining that they could end up working in sex trafficking which is so scary to think about.
-Jordan Ziemba

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I am too very saddened by what I learned in this last week. I was so surprised by what I learned I had to call and tell my mom the statistics. I do believe that it is absolutely awful what is happening to these women and children- 19 million is such a large number! I can hardly fathom it. I do agree- these topics need to be discussed more, the more people that now the more information and refuge can be shared for the cause!

K. Wilson

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Ignacia,

I also felt sad and felt my heart become heavy learning about the reality of the business of sex trafficking. Reading these articles gave us an insight on what women and men are forced to do on a daily basis, getting beaten if they run or if they don’t obey what is asked of them. I also didn’t know that women have up to thirty “customers” in one day, that is baffling and hard to swallow and they get paid nothing for it. The fact that these women are just trying to get a job or help out their families, to then be tricked and trapped in a business they can’t get out of is heart breaking.
-Jordan Ziemba

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Reading these articles also  made me sick and very sad.  I found that the facts made it even worse, I did know that it was a problem but not such a bad problem- it truly opened my eyes! I can hardy handle the information that I was given in the articles- like 98% of abducted children and women are traded into the trafficking system...like that is horrifying. Knowing what I know now, I will be more observant to my surroundings and more aware to signs that are there.

K. Wilson

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Sade,

Both of these articles surprised me as well, and I was in the same boat. You know about the issue and that it is happening around us, but until this class no other teach has brought up the topic to talk about or even given us articles to read. It’s sad that women that have limit English-language skills are in greater danger. Even though women and young girls are the most common victims, boys and transgender youth are also at risk. The second article was very surprising for me as well, you never really know the facts and amounts of women being trafficked till you read about it. That number shocked me, and the fact that we are still letting these young women get taken into a business they have no choice in.
-Jordan Ziemba

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I too was surprised about the number of people in the world that were victims of trafficking. The number was way higher than I expected. I do believe that we all need to be careful when travelling. You truly never know what is happening in at any given time in that place. There are signs and things to look for and now I know what they are and what to look for. Its so sad that this happens here and abroad. It is better to stay safe than sorry.

K. Wilson

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So true no one should have their life taken away from them like that, especially children. I have the same idea for future vacations. You are right, we dont know what kind of people are out their waiting to get the next person they can find. That is why it is also equally important children and young adults understand they need to aware of their surroundings and watch out for the people out their. I also think teaching children and young adults to stay in groups when out with their friends is a good strategy to have.
Ashly Hurt

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I was just as surprised about the "Sex Tourism" as you are. I also have to say I agree with what you are saying about not being about to speak the langauge they are trafficked to as a form of isolation, but also a way for them to tell their story if they escape. It sounds like its to take away their ability to communicate with others that are going to be able to get them out of this situation or about what happened to them. I too feel that I should have read this book when I was in school so I could be warned, aware, and to watch out for the kind of people that could be out there. Your question was something I thought of when reading this book and now that we are finished with reading this book, students do need to know about this happening in our world so they too can watch out for the people out their. When reading this book in the classroom, there should be some sort of pre discussion and parent aproval before reading the book to make sure all parents and students are on the same page about being mature about the information presented in the book.
Ashly Hurt

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Response to: How can culture shape the way that males/females are treated in certain societies? (name?)

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Response to: How can culture shape the way that males/females are treated in certain societies? (name?)

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I definitely agree that women and men can be treated differently in different cultures. As a daughter of Mexican immigrants, I saw how women and men differed in Mexican culture. However, growing up, I also saw how women and men were treated in American culture, and I preferred American culture. I feel as though Americans (in couples) are treated equally, the same thing is expected of them. For example, I feel as though American couples both work, both take care of kids, both contribute to he household. Whereas in Mexican culture, the man is seen as superior, the man makes the money and the woman takes care of the house, down to every last detail. And that can be okay to some people, but I have personally seen couples in Mexican culture where both the man and woman work, but the man does absolutely nothing when it comes to the household. The woman takes care of the kids, cooks, cleans, and waits on her husband hand and foot. I think this is absolutely ridiculous. And as I was reading the book "Sold" I couldn't help but get angry, at how Lakshmi's mom was justifying the bad things that her stepfather would do, by saying atleast they have a man in the house. There is a saying that in Spanish and in English that I love, "It's better to be alone than to be in bad company". And it is so sad that in some cultures, like Lakshmi's, it doesn't matter how useless of a man you have, as long as there is a man that's all that matters. I personally think this is crazy, and I am so thankful Americans don't live in such culture with such unfair ways. -Jaqueline Felix

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How can culture shape the way that males/females are treated in certain societies?

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How can culture shape the way that males/females are treated in certain societies?

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Culture can shape the way that males/females are treated because in other cultures religion can play a big role in how females are treated. In some cases women are to be dependent on males. In other cultures like in Latin America and India (like In Sold), there are big families, and the mothers  were most of the time staying home to raise children. Often this leads to resentment and fear of their husband, who brought in the money and supported the family. In Sold the stepfather was a gambler who was an awful man, but the mother still was thankful for all he did to provide and support. Some women in other cultures and even here in the USA are comfortable with their current positions; others are impatient with the progress towards equal partnerships in work, marriage and in public. Although, it goes two ways. Some men are in positions where they are dependent on their wives, mothers or a boss.  Culture and how people were raised are how they will continue to be their whole lives. Their situations are sometimes awful from the trafficking, multiple wives/husbands, raping and molesting and how verbally abusive people can be. Sadly, this is not just in the home, this is in public and at work too.

K. Wilson

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What is the appropriate age to begin talking about sex trafficking? (response to question above, name?)

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What is the appropriate age to begin talking about sex trafficking? (response to question above, name?)

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This is an interesting question. I agree, I think we definitely need to take the maturity of students into consideration when talking about such a delicate topic. But at the same time, I think young kids should be aware of things like this happening around the world. With that being said, I personally think the right age to talk about this topic is maybe 11-13, whenever kids are going through puberty. Kids are already learning about sex during this time anyway (in schools sometimes, and hopefully at home). I think it is important to let them know (especially the girls) that this can happen. It would be a good idea to mention warning signs. Especially now that so many young kids are involved with social media, you want them to be careful and be aware. In the article it mentions that they find victims through Facebook. We should teach kids how to be safe. Overall, yes its a touchy subject, but kids need to know these things so they are aware of the dangers that are out there and so they don't ever put themselves at risk of becoming a victim. -Jaqueline Felix

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I completely agree with you. Women often times tend to be seen as lesser. Even in America, we struggle with this concept but thankfully we have been making huge strides in correcting this issue. Other countries, however, are not so lucky.
For as little as I knew about sex trafficking beforehand, the first thing that comes to my mind is females being affected by this issue. I think that sex trafficking needs to be a more widely spoken of issue, but the fact that males are sex trafficked needs to be mentioned too.
Shawn Smith

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I really enjoyed reading your post. Originally, I didn’t know how sex trafficking and sex slavery in other countries connected with the US, but you made some really great points. You mention that people are brought here from other countries to basically be sex slaves, I had honestly never thought of that. I simply thought that there was sex trafficking in other countries, and in the US there is sex trafficking, but within America with Americans, I never thought of people being brought here specifically for this. But it makes sense. In the article, “Sex Sells”, it mentions that some of the people most at risk are immigrants and those whose English is limited. Its interesting that you mention that brothels are disguised as massage parlors. I just recently remember there being a “massage parlor” in the Seattle area that was busted for sex trafficking. They had brought young women over from China or Asia and promised them a job and decent wages. I can only imagine how trapped they felt when they are in a different country, without family or resources and probably knowing very little English (kind of similar to the situation in “Sold”). It is such a sad situation. And you are right, sometimes the police doesn’t do anything, it might be because they don’t care, or they might be getting paid off by the massage parlor owners (similar to the book Sold as well). It’s just a sad, sad situation.  -Jaqueline Felix

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I was curious about the same thing in regards to maturity level for this book. I think that this book is a great story to have on the shelf so student's can at least have access to it, but I don't think I would use it as a read aloud or for a class project. A lot of parents will refuse to have their child read/listen to it, but it's also important to not sensor important topics, especially if it could affect them. As you said, you had never really read or learned about sex trafficking. For me, I had only seen Taken and that was my only glimpse into this large issue. I would say middle school age students could handle it and up through high school. We had a lot of mature titles in middle school and the students know whether or not it's appropriate for them to read.
Shawn Smith

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I really enjoyed reading your post. Originally, I didn’t know how sex trafficking and sex slavery in other countries connected with the US, but you made some really great points. You mention that people are brought here from other countries to basically be sex slaves, I had honestly never thought of that. I simply thought that there was sex trafficking in other countries, and in the US there is sex trafficking, but within America with Americans, I never thought of people being brought here specifically for this. But it makes sense. In the article, “Sex Sells”, it mentions that some of the people most at risk are immigrants and those whose English is limited. Its interesting that you mention that brothels are disguised as massage parlors. I just recently remember there being a “massage parlor” in the Seattle area that was busted for sex trafficking. They had brought young women over from China or Asia and promised them a job and decent wages. I can only imagine how trapped they felt when they are in a different country, without family or resources and probably knowing very little English (kind of similar to the situation in “Sold”). It is such a sad situation. And you are right, sometimes the police doesn’t do anything, it might be because they don’t care, or they might be getting paid off by the massage parlor owners (similar to the book Sold as well). It’s just a sad, sad situation.

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Spring,
Ok, so I must have been living under a rock, because I had NO idea that these kind of things were happening here in Spokane! And still they are happening?! I am very curious about why the police are doing nothing. Is it because no one is calling them? Or is there no proof that its happening in this hotel? Ugh I cant even wrap my mind around this stuff happening, now, here! I am so shocked and disgusted and now I am wondering what I can do to stop it all! These things that are happening here and all over the world are  ruining lives!
Jennifer Williams

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Shawn,
I agree that it is scary how so many people online are fake. It would be heartbreaking to see it used as a way to lure in people into sex trafficking, but you always see new things on the internet and so many fake people. It is a little scary.
-Morgan Harvey

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Ignacia,
The numbers are staggering! It all just completely shocked me and saddened me as well.
you mentioned on what you would do next time on vacation, its kinda funny to me that I still didn't even think about what I should do on vacation different or that it would even happen to me.  I am glad that we have had this opportunity to learn about these things that are happening all around us but also reading our class mates thoughts. Thinking and learning of things we may not have thought of.

Jennifer Williams

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Sade, I too was very shocked at it all. I almost felt as though I too am very naive to think that this wasn't a bigger issue than it really is.
As far as your question, I do not think it is. Just for the fact that there are far worse things that kids listen to, watch, and do today than what is happening in this book. I actually think it would be a good thing for them to read this to be warned and aware of what is happening and what could happen to them.
Jennifer Williams

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2. What is surprising about the articles and video? 

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2. What is surprising about the articles and video? 

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There are many things that were surprising to me after I read the articles. I know there is such thing as sex-trafficking, but when you read about the details and exact numbers, it seems more real and shocking. I was surprised by the amount of people who are forced into sex trafficking. In the article, "The Woman Who Saved 12,000 Women from Sex Trafficking- Anuradha Koirala", it explained that there are 2.4 million victims of sex trafficking, and 98% of them are women and children. What was shocking to me is how people take advantage of people in vulnerable situations, like those from the Nepal earthquake who were looking for help but ended up being victims of sex trafficking. There were also many surprising things in the article, "Sex Sells", for example, how the sex trafficking business estimates $5 billion to $15 billion a year, how boys and transgenders are also used for sex trafficking, how victims are sold at auctions, or often worked in places disguised as businesses. What was shocking and sad was the list of people that are more likely to be victims of sex trafficking, including immigrants, the poor, females, young, and American Indian women. More things that were shocking were how they went about to hunt victims, posing as friends or boyfriends on Facebook, or using Craigslist, the fact that when victims are forced to have sex alot of times they are not allowed to use protection, which then explains all of the victims with STD's. They also explained that one third of workers in Cambodia had unwanted pregnancies, some of which had illegal abortions performed on them, and as many as one third of females contracted HIV. Another surprising and sad fact was the fact that they brand or tattoo victims, as if they were property. Overall, it's a sad situation that happens to this day and it hurts to read about. What is shocking, is the situation that the victims are in and how they feel like there is no escape. -JAQUELINE FELIX

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I am just surprised at the fact this subject is not covered more. With how easy it is to get access to technology and meet up with strangers it is alarming this isn't a course in our schools to teach them what could possibly happen. Lately, I have seen more be aware of human trafficking and the tactics some are using like following parents in Target etc. But it is to close to home to not have a better prevention plan!

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I agree with you! This topic should be talked about more including all the facts we have. How is it we are having so many children and adults go missing and it goes unnoticed? How does families the government ect not notice this many people. I wonder if the facts and knowledge of these acts are out there how are they not being stopped? What actions are being taken to prevent or save lives? This is to big of a fight to leave it alone.
-Breanna Zobel

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When reading the novel “sold” and the articles we read in class it made my stomach turn. The idea she had to go through so much that no one should ever have to go through and have to somehow “normalize” it because it is her reality is insane to me! Being told to do as you are told and be locked away as a young lady is a horrible way of life. Including the articles we read put her experience to the next level. The fact that it's not just one girls story but that this happens to 2.4 million people around the world shows that we have a serious problem

on our hands! The fact that scared me was that 98% are women and children who get abducted and traded into human trafficking. I think to me reading about peoples experiences and then to read about how often this truly happens is so alarming to me I am beyond surprised there isn't more being done to stop human trafficking. I think not only us as a nation but the whole world should be working to stop such actions.

-Breanna Zobel

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I always thought that sex tourism usually just happened in other countries where people are more poor, there isn't a strong democracy or someone to control the country but now learning about what you shared, I see that sex tourism can happen almost everywhere. I have been to Yakima a few times, that is scary to think that this situation happened so close. That is sad about what happened to the girl and messed up about the cop just not helping her out. As well, I didn't know that in Nevada there too but just now learning about this. I can see that anywhere this is happening. There should be a stop to this.
- Ignacia Lopez

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I had no idea that there was a brothel operating just in Spokane. You're absolutely right that majority of people turn a blind eye or some people, like me, just don't know. Which I think is worse. This weeks readings on sex trafficking has been an eye-opener for me and makes me want to be more cautious about the strangers I talk too or interact with when I'm by myself.
-Kirsten Nagamatsu

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I was very saddened by the thought of children being forced into this horrific chain of sex trafficking. Its something we should be talking about and sharing with our students, depending on age. We want our students to know that yes, these horrible things happen all around the world but if you're safe about what you do and who you talk to, then hopefully it can be avoided.
-Kirsten Nagamatsu

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Shawn,
I was also surprised to learn about some of the ways trafficking can happen, especially in comparison with the things many of us  are typically warned about as children. Both in the books and articles, it became clear to me that these people succeed by thinking, planning, and acting in underhanded ways that people unlike them wouldn't predict or think themselves. I think the sheer numbers of people harmed can be really scary, too, to know how many people are fooled or just plain taken in by force.
-Misha Lehmann

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While in the back of my mind I knew that sex trafficking can happen anywhere and to anyone, it was still shocking to know that it happens in the United States. I think that a lot of people, including myself, have grown up with the "oh, it'll never happen here/to me" mentality. In reality, it does happen here. It happens to our fellow women, men, and children and that's a terrifying thought. For something so awful, it is not talking about nearly as much as it should be.
Shawn Smith

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What was surprising about the articles and video? 

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I was extremely surprised to hear how often sex trafficking occurs because I rarely hear about it on news outlets or through social media. The ways that they lure men, women, and children into it is scary and horrible. I know so many people who have been catfished and I can't imagine how many of them could have been in a situation as scary as the stories in the articles if they weren't careful. Social media is the hotspot for meeting new people. Facebook, which is an extremely popular site for a ton of different reasons, can have children as young as 13 (sometimes younger if you have a fake account) and they may not know that there are bad people out there. There are even special websites like Tinder where you go on dates with strangers. I think that sex trafficking is a topic that more people need to be talking about so hopefully it can help prevent future kidnappings.
Shawn Smith

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I as well answered this question since I was surprised at the amount of victims are getting taken away. This breaks my heart to see that millions are sold, stolen, forced to do something that they don't want to. These young females and males do not have any fault of being treated this way. I agree with you, how this subject should be way bigger to be made to shut it down. This subject sure isn't talked about that much, people should know more about this. Before reading these articles, I didn't really know that so many people are getting trafficked away. I say, just talking to others about this can slowly pass it down to others so that everyone can be cautious, safe and know more about what this is about. Learning about this subject is very important and should be known.

Thank you for sharing your views!

Ignacia Lopez

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After reading the articles and watching the video, it made me very sad to realize how many young females and males are getting treated. I agree with what you said, it's scary to think that the people who are most trafficked are the poor young females. That have no fault of being taken away. Yes, according to the articles it just talks about India and Nepal but this subject is worldwide, like you said in Sex Sells this happens in the US daily. It's even more sad to think that the victims don't know the same language as to the ones who took them away so they feel isolated. This is horrible, I don't know why there are certain people like this in the world.

Ignacia Lopez

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Carina

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Kirsten,

I agree that the numbers are shocking, but the truth is are they accurate?  How many more are there out there that they don’t know about so are not in the numbers?

The fact that there is not enough being said is horrible more people need to get involved.  As teachers or should I say soon to be teachers we need to address this with our older students when we talk about social media and what could happen to them if they are not careful and meet people they don’t know.  We can start and hope that by educating our students they will share with their family and friends , but more does need to be said.

Shelly Haley-Christensen

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Ignacia,
I agree with you about being cautious when traveling. I have always known the importance of this, but after the readings last week, my eyes have really opened in regards to how common it is to be taken and forced into this slavery. I feel a little naive; I didn't realize it was so common even so close to home. Regardless if we are traveling or just out at night alone, it is so important to be as safe as possible to avoid these horrifying things.

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Hi  Kasey,
I was just as shocked and disgusted to read that people specifically travel to these countries to take part in these brothels. They definitely have to be aware that the women and children are obviously kept/forced to be there. Its a sickening thing to think about. I hoped that these places are not known in the U.S. but sadly there is. After reading these two articles, I did some research and found that Montana has issues with sex trafficking as well, mostly in Billings and Bozeman and it's not all that far from us. This is now an issue in the U.S. and its terrifying.
-Kirsten Nagamatsu

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Ignacia, I am in the exact same boat with you about being extra cautious when traveling abroad. I learned so many new things from these two articles, and even the text itself. It is awful that these things are going on and I too just felt incredibly sad after reading each of these things. I honestly have also grown with fear after reading about these things. Not just from the readings, but also from this discussion post. Someone else had posted that this is occurring in Spokane and Yakima and that just makes me incredibly nervous and scared. I just had no idea and I feel so incredibly naive after this week. But am grateful that I have learned and am learning more and more about this topic.
-Sade Aribibola

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Allison, I really liked what you had to say and I completely agree with you. Cultures that believe that  men are superior to women not only encourages these men to take on more dominant roles, but it also forces women to become submissive because no one is on their side if they do decide to speak up against it. This really reminds me of the mother in "Sold." She knew that she had no place to speak up against her husband gambling issues. She even went as far to inform her daughter that even though he gambles, it is better than no having no man at all which is incredibly unfortunate because many women, even in our own society strongly feel this way.
-Sade Aribibola

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Spring, I had no idea that they were actually occurring in America, let alone so close to where we are all attending school. It is so hard taking in this fact that these things are occurring in the world. I cannot imagine being in a position where you knew someone who had experienced it first-hand. I am really curious as to what is being done in order to help these people and/or stop sex-trafficking. Although these articles where very informative on the whole concept of sex-trafficking, I really would have liked to read something a little more hopeful about ending it.
-Sade Aribibola

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Hi Kasey,

I hate to be the one to tell you... Yes!  There are places like that here.  They aren't even hidden, they are in plain sight.  Those seedy hotels on E. Sprague, the Bunny Ranch in Nevada, and even a church group in Yakima.

In my teen years, I was in an intensive counseling environment with a girl that was testifying against her family and a church group in Yakima that was keeping women and children as sex slaves.  It was incredibly hard for her to escape, she had been kept in a dog kennel.  During one of her escapes, she sought help from an officer, only to be returned to her captors because he was an officer that enjoyed partaking in what the group had to offer.  I want to emphasize the fact that this was her church!  Her pastor and the church elders were the ring leaders!

-Spring Shoupe

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Hi Misha,

I agree, no real solution is offered here.  I also agree with your account that Lakshmi is saved by the same demographic that could very well put her in danger.  I have to admit that it is a personal trigger for me when middle class whites are the saviors in books and movies.  I feel that it perpetuates the false idea that white people have the answers.

Thank you for sharing your views.

-Spring Shoupe

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Kirsten,
Although any number is too many, your statistic of 19 million people per day is a little off. I think the point you are trying to make is that as many as 19 million of everyone trafficked  is trafficked for the sex industry.
This number is still staggering and it seems to me like there is so little being done. As you said, everyone should be talking about this. People should be outraged that children are being forced into sex slavery, they should be talking about it on the nightly news and finding solutions. Many more steps should be made to ending this crisis worldwide.
-Erin Bail

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Kasey,
I agree. It was very difficult to read about the sex tourism industry and I am disgusted by the idea. I have to think that there are places like this in the United States, as much as I don't want to admit that it might be a possibility. I have heard rumors that hundreds of people go missing from large events like the Super Bowl each year. I don't know what the actual truths are, but I do think that local girls are being lured into these situation, whether it be a brothel type setup, or just one girl in an apartment.  Either way, people need to be educated about the realities of sex trafficking to eliminate people being held against their will.
-Erin Bail

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What was surprising about the articles and video?

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What was surprising about the articles and video?

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After reading the articles and watching the video, I felt sad. I was surprised at how terrible sex trafficking is really like. It surprised me that there is so many women and children of many ages who are taken away. According to the article, “The Women Who Saved 12,000 Women from Sex Trafficking,” I was surprised on how in 2012 there was 2.4 million people throughout the world who were victims of human trafficking. Although I am very proud of Anuradha Koirala who was able to rescue so many women. According to the article “Sex Sells”, I didn’t know that women had sex with up to thirty “customers” a day, it also mentioned how usually each woman would get three dollars per customer. Wow! That is sad, that breaks my heart, nobody should be taken away apart from their families, stolen, not feel like they are trapped and can’t return back home.

In the "Sex Sells" article, the voice of the victims: Briana's story really got to me. Briana was a 12 year old girl who lived with her mother but one night she decided to leave the house because she got mad at her mom. So she then went to an apartment of her brothers friend, he didn't want to let her go, she couldn't call for help or he'd kill her. One day she saw her mom putting up "Missing daughter" signs up on the streets, she wanted to call to her but he'd wouldn't let her live. One day she was able to escape and leave. To this day, she still fears and worries her past will endanger her to have a good future. Although some of these victims are luckily able to escape but they will still have nightmares about these events that happened to them.

If I go on a vacation in the future, I want to be extremely careful with the surroundings and places to visit because you never know who is a stranger, a bad person, someone just wanting to get the next person. This subject gives me fear because this is a difficult and strong topic. For example, if someone gets taken away there is going to be many resources to help but as well there is no chance above being found and that is another sad part.
Ignacia Lopez

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What was surprising about the articles and video?

The article Sex Sells tells about the sexual slavery that occurs worldwide. Something in the article that stood out to me was the section regarding sex tourism. This part of the article was a little unexpected for me to read as it talked about tourists visiting countries such as the Netherlands, Brazil, and many others, for the specific purpose of visiting these brothels. It makes me ill to know that women and children are tricked, kidnapped, forced and held against their will, and threatened- while tourists are actually traveling to these countries to take part in and support this. I feel that sex slavery is a known issue, so that anyone who visits a brothel like that is well aware that those women and children are forced to be there under unspeakable conditions. It makes me wonder if there are secret clubs here in the US that offer the same thing, as victims are being held against their will?

Kasey Strehlou

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Carina,
These articles and the book Sold makes my stomach sick. I've read Sold before in a previous class, but for some reason, I am just as shocked reading it the second time around. I also cannot believe that this is still occurring all over the world, and I can't fully grasp what is happening to these women and children. We tend to think of this as an "overseas" issue, but it's happening right here too. There is such a sick level of trickery, manipulation and violence surrounding sex slavery, and it is just expanding more and more by the use of social media and sex tourism. It's a very real issue that is just as relevant here in the US as it is anywhere else.~ Kasey Strehlou

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What was surprising about the articles and video?

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What was surprising about the articles and video?

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After reading the two articles “Sex Sells” and “The Women Who Saved 12000 Women from Sex Trafficking” and watched the video, I am shocked that these are real life situations that are happening now. I am very saddened that there are children involved by force and I’m surprised there is nothing more being done to put a stop to it. The amount of people being forced into sex trafficking everyday was appalling. 19 million people a day was a shocking number because sex trafficking and the people who are taken are never talked about. Reading these articles was an eye opener for me and at the same time upsetting because I feel like this is a topic that should be talked more about and there should be way bigger steps being made to shut it down.

Kirsten Nagamatsu

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The enormous amount of children that are forced into the sex industry is a surprise to me, too, and it leaves a bad feeling in my stomach. The idea of children being forced against their will is so hard to swallow that maybe that is why we hear about it happening in both other countries and our own but it doesn't always seem like reality. I agree that this should be more of a hot topic politically than it is. Thank goodness for programs like the Jonah Project. ~ Kasey Strehlou

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What was surprising about the articles and video?

Both in reading Sold and in supplementary materials, what surprised me most were the things that have been held up as solutions, as successful responses. In Sold, the only "good" adult men were white, American policemen, men who disproportionately would be likely to sexually abuse and harm Laskhmi in the real world, potentially using her or other undocumented characters like her to avoid getting caught doing the same in their own home countries.

Likewise, in the story of Maiti, I saw something that highly concerned me. Maiti is one of many organizations that either started as a retail shop or currently is one that employs women who were formerly sex trafficked. We learn that Anuradha Koirala invested only part of the $100 per month she earned in a retail shop - how could she have paid the workers there fairly? That store and others like it, which either don't pay or severely underpay their employees are ineffective at best, harmful at worst. These things are why it's important to see trafficking (both sex trafficking and others) as similar, both in their nature and their threat. Trafficking of all of these kinds exists to disempower women, get cheap labor, and make it so that the victims cannot organize or fight back.

For me, none of the material presented satisfactory solutions or indeed, unbiased accounts of the problems. I want solutions that actually empower women to have and use their own money in their profession of choice, to always have control over their legal documents, and to be paid a fair, living wage for all work, solutions that don't push teenagers from one form of slavery to another.
Misha Lehmann

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I totally agree with you that no child should be ripped apart from their childhood and their family. I liked how you included a way we can better protect children from this. It is extremely important that children understand that this happens all over the world and to be cautious.
Carina Hernandez

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Sade,
I really liked your question about how graphic this novel is and asking if it might be too much for students. I wish there was a clear black and white answer. Even if students read it, how much would they comprehend, and if they are around the same age how much would it affect them thinking about how some girl around their age might be stuck in something like this. How would you even discuss this with students?

Erin,
I like how you included that you had a daughter and how you might approach this very question. I agree that having a counselor on hand might help any person especially a child while reading through something so harsh in this world.

Morgan Harvey

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I knew that sex trafficking was in issue in this world, but I didn’t think it was such a big problem in our world. What surprises me is that many people think that sex trafficking comprises a small portion, but it effects about 19 million people. I totally agree with you that technology can be very dangerous. It is crazy that traffickers use social media to lure young women with fake relationships. What saddens me is that these individuals convince the young girls that they are a devoted boyfriend, gain their trust, and insist them that they must prove love to them by prostituting themselves. What this reminds me off is of a tragedy that happened not so long ago of young pregnant women that was lured by Facebook where they were promising baby items. She showed up to their house thinking she would leave with many items for her new baby and save money. However, that was not the case and there were three individuals that killed the young 19-year-old women and cut the baby from the womb.
Carina Hernandez

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Hi Shelly,

I appreciate that you pointed out the hard truth that Woman and children of our own country are still being sold today. Yet we don't really see anything or hear anything about it.

I also like that you included the difference between sex slavery and prostitution. I hadn't really thought about it until reading your comment. There is a difference and I am glad you pointed out that the article called it prostitution, but when people are being sold that really isn't what it is.

-Morgan Harvey

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Morgan,

It is great that someone is out there for these women men and children but I think if more people got the word out about it happening maybe it would slow down I can’t say that it will ever end but the more we talk about it and the louder we are the more we might see get done.  The sad thing is that in some of these third world countries it is ok to sell your children if you are not able to provide for them or they can’t provide for the family.  It is hard to believe at the same time are we not in a global awareness class to learn what is acceptable in other countries and cultures.  We can be sad for them but we need to stop it here in America were we know that it is not culturally acceptable.  So go out and spread the word to all the middle school and high school kids you know and see if they want to send help to one of the places that the rescued go to.  I am sure there are ways to donate food or money to help.

Shelly Haley-Christensen

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When is the right age to talk about this?

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When is the right age to talk about this?

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I really felt the same as you, Sade, when wondering at what age this type of material would be appropriate for kids. I have an 11 year old daughter, and although I am very aware that she would not be ready to read Sold now, I'm having a hard time conceptualizing when she will be. I feel that I would need to have a counselor on hand to help her make sense of this in a way that didn't just make her afraid to go out of the house! Reading this would (I hope) be a big shock to most high schoolers, so when is the right time. And how can this be included in a larger unit that allows the students to gain awareness and empathy, not just fear?-Erin Bail

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Allison

I agree that it is horrible and we hear so little of how many are taken just from our country.  I think it is far worse in other countries were children are expected to help the families with the money that comes in.  If a child can not help support the family then I think they are sold and if they are virgins they get more money for them.  What is usually the most troubling is the fathers who protect their daughters and would not let that happen to them are sometimes the ones that are going to the brothels or the tourist who is using a child.  These men can’t be convicted here if it is happening someplace else.

I think they should do something Politically but at the same time I don’t know if it would do any good.  We will always have those out there that will break the law thinking that they will not get caught look at people who belong to the mafias.

There are programs out there that help try to get the word out to kids and the one I know of in Spokane is called the Jonah Project.  If you want to find ot more about it the website is jonahproject.org.
Shelly Haley-Christensen

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Hi Shelly,
Thank you for sharing about the Jonah Project.  I am definitely interested in the event in September.  Please send me more information.
I agree, this is happening in our own backyard.  It is affecting middle and high school students that we know.  It is terrifying and a real concern.

Spring Shoupe

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I had also never heard of Sex Tourism before. It is insane that sex tourism is a multibillion-dollar  business that occurs all over the world. This business effects many women emotionally, physical, and mentally. What surprised me even more was the fact that in some countries like Netherlands and Colombia it is legal. It is extremely sad that many of the women do not speak the language of the country they have been trafficked too, and just like the article stated this makes it very hard to explain to someone the situation that they are in or to even ask for help. As regard to your question, I do believe that the readings are sensitive and graphic. When I was reading Sold I wanted to cry because nobody should go through what Lakshmi went through. I believe that we should educate students on human trafficking so they can be aware of what is happening in our world but to also be careful. In the article sex sell they state that “traffickers use a range communication tools such as social networking, to recruit unsuspecting woman and girls into prostitution.” Students need to be aware and taught how to be safe online.
Carina Hernandez

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How does sex trafficking and sex slavery in other countries such as India and Nepal connect with the US?

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How does sex trafficking and sex slavery in other countries such as India and Nepal connect with the US?

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In the article Sex Sell, it states that "sex trafficking occurs within the United States every day." Sex trafficking and sex slavery doesn't just occur in India or in Nepal, it occurs in many different countries such as Nigeria, Netherlands, Cambodia, Thailand, etc.  And just like in India and Nepal the individuals at most of  risk are the poor. "As in other forms of trafficking the people most at risk are poor, female, and young." Inclusive they state that immigrants and others who have limited English language skills are also in greater danger. Another connection between sex trafficking and sex slavery with India and Nepal is that, "the victims forced into sex work within the United States may end up in the streets, in illegal brothels, in apartments rented by traffickers, at strip clubs, or at track stops." Victims are also threatened, beaten, and hold against their will. Women, children, and even boys are being sold into different parts of the world. I can't believe that this is still occurring all over the world. These individuals are simply looking for better opportunities and to be able to help their families. I can't imagine what these individuals go through, I am extremely horrified that their could be individuals so cruel and take these young women and boys away from their families.

Carina Hernandez

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What completely shocked me is your statement about "violating a child's right to grow up" was that children do have rights too. They are human. Why arent people doing more to protect children from these dangers.

One way we can better protect children from this danger is telling them about what they need to do to protect themselves and ask them what are you doing to do if you feel that you are being watch or followed. It is not only the people around the world that need to hear this, it is also the children who need to be aware of this happening so they can better pretect themselves from this harm.
Ashly Hurt

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What was surprising about the articles and video?

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What was surprising about the articles and video?

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Quite honestly, the entirety of both of these readings was surprising. To be honest, although I know what it is and that it is an issue, I have never really read anything on it prior to this class. From the first article, "Sex Sells," I had never heard of "Sex Tourism" before. This was a new term for me. Although the entire issue is heartbreaking, what really got to me when reading this article was the idea that not only have these women been "tricked, kidnapped, or forced" but many of them also do not speak the language that they have been trafficked to making them especially isolated.
From the second article, I continued to learn a bunch of new and surprising things. For one, the fact that there are 5,000-10,000 women being trafficked annually. I know that may sound incredibly naive, but again, I just honestly have never read about it. I heard a few things here and there about it on the news, but had no idea how much larger this issue truly is.  But I am glad that this class has given me a small glance into the horrors of human trafficking. I will continue to read more and more about it.
I really only have one question about these readings including the novel "Sold." Are these readings too graphic and sensitive to be reading with and discussing with students? Personally, I would have liked to have read this book while in school, or at least be aware of its existence, however I know many of my peers who would not have been mature enough for these readings. Although these readings are truly eye-opening and discuss things that I wished I was aware of sooner and all students should be aware of, is it too mature and sensitive?

Sade Aribibola

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There is much to be said about a culture based on how they value women and men.  We are fortunate as you said to live in a country where the ideal is that every woman is on an equal playing field with our male counterparts.  While that may not be true across the board, at least we have the laws and freedom on our side to speak up and do something about it.  Other women from cultures across the world do not have the same human rights that we rely on for our personal safety and health.

When men are religiously and systematically named the dominant person of any culture, there is little room for women to gain the freedoms and rights they deserve on even the most basic of levels.  Women are seen as commodities that are easy to cast off at the men's choosing.  Men decide these women and children's futures and little can be done until the government puts an end to it.

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You are correct in saying that the trafficking of children and women is prevalent all over the world. This is sadly true of the United States as well. It has become easier to trick young girls and boys into believing the lies that predators are feeding them because those deceitful and disgusting cowards hide behind social media to lure their victims into seclusion. The children that get pulled from their families in this way are promised a better life free of the struggles they face in their current life, only to be forced into sex, drug, and work slavery.

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Reading these articles wasn't easy. I have read and heard that sex trafficking is still around, but had no idea just how rampant the problem even today still is. Both articles were heartbreaking and surprising. seventy percent of people trafficked are forced into prostitution, that is nineteen million people! This number just shook me! Two percent of them are men and boys, the other 98% women and young girls. The second article offered hope for these girls, a safe place to go IF rescued. I wish such a place didn't have to exist, a place where so many people have been traumatized and abused. I would hope this didn't have to exist because the I wouldn't want the trauma and abuse to exist. But the woman in this article offers up her own space, for food, and medical help as a response to this terrible event still going on.

Morgan Harvey

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What was surprising about the articles and video?

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What was surprising about the articles and video?

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In the first article ‘Sex Sells’ I was overall surprised with the amount of people that are forced into sex trafficking every day, which is about 19 million people. Today we all know that sex trafficking is going on around us, but no one ever shines the light on the impact and realness that sex trafficking can have on someone’s life. You hear about the regions like Balkan in eastern Europe, where this is a major source of women who were trafficked to other parts of the continent, but this is also happening in the United States as well. These traffickers put these people through the most brutal things, making them work at night clubs that also double as brothels, and in some cases the women are sold at auctions. The potential buyer will make the women strip down and walk around so they can view them at every angle. The technology nowadays can be even more dangerous, traffickers are using websites like Facebook or Craigslist to lure these women that are desperate for a job. How are we allowing these traffickers to use technology like this to find women? It blows my mind that these websites are getting taken advantage of to help them do their dirty work.

Jordan Ziemba

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How does sex trafficking in other countries connect with the US?

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How does sex trafficking in other countries connect with the US?

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Sex trafficking in other countries is connected with the United States in multiple ways.  The first way is that sex slaves are brought to the US from other countries.  People are kidnapped or tricked, then brought here to live a life of slavery.  The second way is that some US citizens participate in sex tourism.  I have often experienced men making comments about what sexual favors you can buy in Thailand when I mention that I want to visit there.  I believe that the reason they mention it is that they would like to go participate in it.  They usually have a disgusting wolf leer on their face and excitement in their eyes as they tell me about it.  The third way it relates to the US is that it happens here.  Women are trafficked here all of the time and in plain sight.  We are no better at confronting it than other countries.  My partner works at a nice hotel in downtown Spokane where this happens and police rarely do anything about it.  They will have a man check in that has a woman that he will pimp out for the weekend.  There will be a never ending stream of men visiting the room, but when the hotel complains to the police nothing is done.  If you doubt this picture, just think back to how many years the Oriental Spa aka brothel operated on North Division and North Foothills before it was finally raided and shut down...at least 15 years that I know of!  I am sure it operated long before I moved here, but I can attest to at least 15 years.
Unfortunately, none of this information was the least bit shocking for me.  I have lived in small towns where the local pastor and his flock are part of the problem and I have lived in big cities where the entire community is part of the problem (think East Sprague).  We see it all around us every day, but turn a blind eye to it.

Spring Shoupe

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How can culture shape the way that males/females are treated in certain societies?                                        Culture can play a large role as to how men and women are treated. Using the examples of India and Nepal from these articles and from the book Sold, we can see how the reduced status of women in many cultures has generated a market for women and children to be sold into sex slavery. In Sold, Lakshmi’s mother professes on multiple occasions how fortunate they are to have a man in the household, even though he is a gambling addict and does not contribute positively to the household. This idea, that a woman is nothing without a man, can breed a culture of women who are unable to speak up for themselves, and even when facing a horrible life in sex slavery, blame themselves.  People are being tricked into sex slavery all over the world, so the cultures of India and Nepal are not isolated in this atrocity. Even in the United States people are forced to sell sex against their will. While mainstream US culture does not typically hold women on a lower pedestal than men, many American women and children who are found in this situation come from a poor, lesser educated background. The culture of being poor in the United States (and throughout the world) means that you are more exposed to the underbellies of society where you might find human traffickers. You may be searching for a way out of poverty and take risks that those of higher means do not have to.  Men and women are often treated differently. Very recently there has been a lot of news about female athletes fighting for the same pay as their male counterparts. Our culture dictates the details of these differences, but no culture is immune. Unfortunately, even with the shifts in some of these beliefs and gains by women in a wide range of areas, some women, and others who are sold into sex slavery, will always be looked at as a lesser people, someone who needs to be controlled by a man.   

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How can culture shape the way that males/females are treated in certain societies?                                        Culture can play a large role as to how men and women are treated. Using the examples of India and Nepal from these articles and from the book Sold, we can see how the reduced status of women in many cultures has generated a market for women and children to be sold into sex slavery. In Sold, Lakshmi’s mother professes on multiple occasions how fortunate they are to have a man in the household, even though he is a gambling addict and does not contribute positively to the household. This idea, that a woman is nothing without a man, can breed a culture of women who are unable to speak up for themselves, and even when facing a horrible life in sex slavery, blame themselves.  People are being tricked into sex slavery all over the world, so the cultures of India and Nepal are not isolated in this atrocity. Even in the United States people are forced to sell sex against their will. While mainstream US culture does not typically hold women on a lower pedestal than men, many American women and children who are found in this situation come from a poor, lesser educated background. The culture of being poor in the United States (and throughout the world) means that you are more exposed to the underbellies of society where you might find human traffickers. You may be searching for a way out of poverty and take risks that those of higher means do not have to.  Men and women are often treated differently. Very recently there has been a lot of news about female athletes fighting for the same pay as their male counterparts. Our culture dictates the details of these differences, but no culture is immune. Unfortunately, even with the shifts in some of these beliefs and gains by women in a wide range of areas, some women, and others who are sold into sex slavery, will always be looked at as a lesser people, someone who needs to be controlled by a man.   

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Erin Bail

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How does sex trafficking and sex slavery in other countries such as India and Nepal connect with the US?

People assume that it is not happening here and that it is only happening in foreign countries, but our women and children are being taken and sold to these countries as sex slaves.  It is funny I was just talking to someone I know who runs the Jonah Project here in Spokane and he said to me they call it prostitution still and it is not prostitution it is slavery.  Prostitution was a profession that some women decided and chose to do but now there are allot of these places that the women and children have no choice they are told that they owe to much money and have to pay it back,  I will again state that it is happening right here in our own back yard it is not just over there.  You can go to the website jonahprojet.org to not only learn more about how it is in not only the US but our community.  There is an orientation in Spokane, WA in September if anyone is interested let me know and I will put you in contact with someone who can get you the information.

Shelly Haley-Christensen

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What an interesting point you bring up about the trafficked victims being right in plain view and going completely unnoticed by anyone.  I had not given that much thought, but I can now see how true this most likely is even in America.  The fear and psychological warfare that has been inflicted on these victims has left them fearful of rescue and unwilling to seek out safety in others.

I will be especially weary of my environment when I get the opportunity to travel internationally one day.  Not just for my own personal safety, but because my new awareness to the sex trafficking industry will have me on high alert to reach out and help those who are struggling to help themselves.

Allison White

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What was surprising about the articles and video?

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What was surprising about the articles and video?

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I was surprised by the sheer volume of children that are being trafficked into sex slavery around the world.  With a staggering number of 5.4-7.3 million children being forced into the sex industry against their will, how is there not more being done to prevent this criminal activity in the first place?  Why is there not more funding available to hunt down and prosecute those who are not only violating the law, but violating a child’s right to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment?

Even when we know that this kind of depravity is being forced onto the children of our own country, you hardly think on the grander scale of it happening to so many in other cultures around the world.  We may only intermittently hear of one girl who got manipulated into meeting a stranger in the dead of night, but what about the millions of others who this is happening to on a much larger and broader spectrum?  This should be a hot topic when it comes to politics with every effort being made to find solutions to save these children!

Allison White

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When reading the section on sex tourism in “Sex Sells,” I was very surprised that tourists would seek out sex with prostitutes. As it also mentions “in nations where sex tourism is common, prostitutes may work in bars, night clubs, and brothels, or they may be on the streets, beaches or other public spaces.” This could cause problems for tourists because they to could be kidnapped or tricked into sex slavery. What is horrible about reading where forced prostitutes could be hanging out is the fact that we or our children could be walking among those people. It is a scary thought of what could happen. What is sad is how these forced prostitutes can not defend themselves because the fear of getting in trouble with the person they work for. If some outside person or police were to secretly help them, the forced prostitutes would fear abuse from their owner, which would makes “explaining their situation” harder.
Ashly Hurt

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1. How does sex trafficking and sex slavery in other countries such as India and Nepal connect with the US?

Sex trafficking seems to be in more than just India and Nepal. It seems as if daily there are reports of children, teenagers, and adults being sold into sex trafficking from all over the world.
As stated in the article: Sex Sells, This is happening in the US in similar ways. These children are being sold and forced to work in strip clubs, and brothels (disguised as massage parlors). Many of the women and children (and a small percent of men) are coming from all over the world to the US, but also women and children (boys and men too) are being sold to others in other countries as well. This is a national issue, and more and more people are trying to do their part to prevent this in the US and other countries.

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Based on what I read in the Behnke excerpt, in "The Woman who Saved 12,000 Women," and the video I watched, I am appalled that this type of thing is still happening in the 21st Century. Why are women and girls treated like this by people even today? I really want to do something to change this.