From: suhak-AT-canada.com
Date: 1 Apr 2002 07:53:54 -0800
Subject: Re: sex slavery


Hi, 

I would make a distinction between prostitution and illegal trafficking with women/children. Many countries, such as those in Western Europe/US/Canada have laws that deal with prostitution or activities related to it. In other places, the 'oldest profession' is probably not regulated. Still, many women in those countries are forced into this profession for one reason or another. But the main thing is that this is 'regulated' in some countries. Naturally this does not mean that women's/children's rights in this case are protected. Having a law is one thing, and enforcing it is another. Even in places where the sex industry is legalized, there is still a black market for it. 

On the other had there is illegal trafficking with women/children. Women are either duped into believing that they will get regular jobs once they get to the other country-they even pay the smugglers! But when they get there, they realize that they are expected to work in the sex industry. Usually their passports are seized by the smugglers, they are intimidated, and they don't receive wages from their 'work'. This constitutes slavery-in the sense that someone is duped, and they are kept at the mercy of their male owners in the country-of-arrival.

Trafficking with children is also illegal but it is prevalent, as Tobias mentioned. Children who are kidnapped and smuggled across borders fall into this category. This is different from the case of children whose poor families offer to couples/adopting agencies for the sake of some money. This is usually considered illegal but it is hard to keep track off since the families don't report this to the police. 

Also, with regard to children, there is no telling, once they are kidnapped/bought that they will go to 'families', they might end up somewhere where they end up as laborers or, they end up in the sex industry. 

While this is done as a 'private' transaction, there has been many  institutionalized/governmental practices that follow similar lines, e.g. the lost generations of natives/aboriginals. In Canada, and in Australia, esp. in the 60's, many native children were forcibly taken away from their parents (by the government), and were sent to either boarding schools, or were adopted by non-native families. Few months ago, I read that this also took place in France. 

Re. illegal trafficking, there was a UN conference about this few months ago. Yes, there were declarations and what not, but, the bottom line, it is still practiced. 

BTW, I am not defending 'legalized' prostitution, or anything similar. But I think having laws that deal with it/acknowledge it is a positive step, and better than nothing. Also, laws that ban/forbid prostitution, in my opinion, are not helpful at all-this only drives the industry underground where women/children suffer even more because they have no place to go,and if they go to the police, they will be charged and put in prison. My understanding, and I could be wrong, is that in such cases only women are charged and men (clients) are set free.

THX

Suha
On Mon, 01 April 2002, Salil Tripathi wrote:

> 
> Salwa,
> 
> I don't think we'd be addressing this issue fairly if we see it, again, from 
> the perspective of east-west, or north-south, prisms. Indians gangs have an 
> equally reprehensible record in Nepal; as have Thai gangs within Thailand, 
> with Thai women. "West", often plays no part in that equation.
> 
> Salil
> 
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