Human trafficking is a horrible injustice that needs to be stopped. Imagine if people actually stood for justice and did something to fight human trafficking, instead of using their power and influence to promote a “fantasy” where the suffering of human beings is “pleasurable.” Imagine if, instead of objectifying women, society began to value them and support them, actually promoting the rights of all people instead of stripping them away. I believe that human trafficking can be stopped, but only through people actually taking responsibility of their lives and actions, and committing to doing something to make a difference. It is true that an individual has the capacity to make a significant change…just look at Nelson Mandela or Martin Luther King Jr. It is also true that every person, regardless of their background, socioeconomic status, or mountain of excuses can in fact make a difference. It is all about committing to doing something, and then actually following through with action. We all have a responsibility as human beings to stand for justice, and we can do this in a number of ways. We are now confronted with the facts about human trafficking. Obviously many people who are “role models” in society are not helping the situation, therefore it is up to us to be the change.

Check out: http://www.thea21campaign.org for more information on how YOU can make a DIFFERENCE.

People who are trafficked end up in many different exploitative situations, including sexual servitude. Human trafficking for the purposes of labour exploitation is under-represented in human trafficking statistics for a range of reasons, including underreporting and the clandestine nature of the crime.

What we do know is that human trafficking is the fastest growing form of transnational crime (UNODC, 2009) and is one of the three most profitable transnational crimes, along with drugs and arms trafficking (UNODC, 2007). We also know that companies, governments and individuals each have a role to play in addressing this – starting with the language we choose, or choose not, to use, as the article suggests.

Australians can learn more and can act to combat trafficking at: http://www.donttradelives.com.au.

A while back my local pub had a “pimps and ho’s” night. I intended to go down there and confront the manager on the night and hand out flyers, to patrons, but annoyingly it clashed with another event i had to attend. I would like to think that if something like this happened again, there are other women who would join me…hint hint!!!!

I agree with the writer that language is so important. A 13 year old is not a prostitute, she is a victim and survivor of multiple sexual assaults and those committing the crimes need to be held accountable.

It’s very easy for us to feel sorry for victims of trafficking, and wish ill upon the perpetrators of such crimes. But our sympathy perpetuates this attitude of, “that’s a problem over there, happening to those people, how very needy and sad”. We might even take some action and sign up for newsletters, even make sure we are buying fairly traded products – all great and we should definitely do those things.

However, I am more and more of the opinion that there must come a point when we acknowledge our complicity with crimes that we think only happen in someone else’s back yard. The fashion – and I use the term loosely – industry is a great example. Not just because the clothes might be made in sweatshops by poorly paid/treated workers, but because the fashion itself screams – “don’t value me, don’t respect me, I’m just a woman” (or whatever). Sure, the t-shirt might actually say “I’m Santa’s Bitch” (excellent work again Supre) but what’s it REALLY saying?? Sure, the top is transparent and I can see her nipples, but what harm does it do? It’s just sexy – don’t be so hung up, right? Yeah, right.

In the industrialised world we have long bought the lie that we have ‘developed’ socially and culturally, and because we have more stuff we are better people. It’s the same lie that denies that the roots of economic poverty lie in colonialism and the continuation of debts laid at the less economically developed nation’s door, and it’s the same lie that believes pornography, marketing and fashion/music industries have nothing to do with why women, men and children are abused and trafficked. The truth is that we cannot escape the global consequences of our local actions. It’s also where hope is – think global, act local.

I suppose reading about a journalist using the word “pimp” in the Chelsea Clinton story makes me realise that mainstream the word has become quite accepted and not considered offensive. Music is so powerful and after reading this I’m left wondering about the correlation between songs and artists mentioned above and the mainstream acceptance of the word pimp…I’m sure that some of these songs have influenced me…I’m not someone that rushes out to buy the next Snoop album, on the contrary, I’m more of a Katie Noonan kind of lass but I flick the radio on in the car every morning and whatever’s playing on the top 100 is bound to end up in my head…I guess if anything this article has made me assess what I unconsciously allow to become ‘okay’ even in my own vocabulary and acceptance of societal views.