Sex Trafficking Controversy

Sex Trafficking Controversy

Never before has sex trafficking been an issue until now. Sex trafficking can be defined as the illegal recruitment of a person through types of commercial sex. Since 2009 this crime has profited thirty-six million dollars; therefore, it has now become a multimillion dollar enterprise. This heinous crime has affected women and young girls. Most victims are subjected to drugs, alcohol, sex, and other unlawful behaviors. Unfortunately, many victims from foreign lands and the United States are misled into the persuasion of a better life. One outcome of sex trafficking is slavery. Most citizens classify sex trafficking as a movement, rather than a crime. Therefore, this can make it harder for victims to receive justice. Under federal and state laws trafficking is a crime that is prosecuted. Writing from a global perspective, McCabe states “many nations are confused about the definition of sex trafficking or fail to comprehend the cases of trafficking within their own geographical border” (2). This is why, more than often than not, our sex trafficking victims are not found and rescued.

When dealing with sex trafficking victims, sensitivity is the key. In Brunovskis’ research she begins with an informative interview from a woman named Sonya. Sonya lived in a basement with eight other women while being taking advantage of by two men. She developed long term health problems. She like, many other sex trafficking victims, was transported to another country and persuaded by tales of a better life. Although, sex trafficking varies from country to country, the fact of the matter is that this crime has escalated out of control. In Southern Africa, women are trafficked into domestic and exploitative festivities. In East Asia and the Pacific region domestic and internal activities come as a form of sex trafficking. Europe is a country primarily strong for sex trafficking. Twenty-five percent of sex trafficking victims are transported into the United States.

In 2,000 the United States passed the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (TVPA). The purpose of submitting this law is to protect victims of sex trafficking and locate the traffickers. Passing this act included widespread research from country to country and determined how worse sex trafficking has become. Each country is evaluated by the United States’ secretary and must pass selected standards to be supported under this law. Later in 2005, stricter provisions were reinforced on this act, which made it even harder for more countries to be supported under the TVPA. Providing a policy that is shared among all nations will protect the victims, justify the traffickers, and eliminate an obscure selection process.

Protecting the victims of sex trafficking is one major key in improving a policy. The current policy in place only protects children under the age of eighteen. McCabe quoted from the United