Sex Trafficking

Sex trafficking is undoubtedly a security threat to victims across the globe. Women and children specifically are being forced into labor; feminists analyses of trafficking focus on the threats to the victims as they “are threatened by both traffickers and the state itself”(Lobasz 319). While there are immigration issues that most certainly arise from results of human trafficking, it is a more direct threat to the human security of the victims. The human rights of those who have experienced trafficking should be the foremost concern of people. Typical forms of national security are not efficient in their battles to human trafficking. Specifically, the relationship between immigration and human trafficking has proved difficult to establish. Some define smuggling immigrants across the border and human trafficking as two mutually exclusive things, while others describe them as being “two ends of a continuum”(Lobasz 328). Ultimately, the larger threat is to the people experiencing the abuse of human trafficking and the human security aspect.

Typically, trafficked individuals are subject to horrors that are just now being recognized by the global community. In Kristoff and WuDunn’s Half the Sky, they illustrate the tale of sex trafficking victims. Children and women alike are subjected to beatings and severe abuse, by traffickers. Aspe from the physical torture, there is a large element of psychological torture that afflicts the victims. Half the Sky discusses the account of Meena Hasina and her daughter as they are the victims of sex trafficking. Meena’s daughter, Naina, was taken from her after her birth. She was raised by the traffickers and grew up unsure of her true parentage. She and her brother “were beaten, starved, and abused”(Kristoff and WuDunn 12) inside the brothel they lived in. While there have been efforts to address the problem of sex slavery, many have been ineffective and sex trafficking has worsened over the years. One reason the Half the Sky offers as an issue that prevents progress is the disagreement between political leaders on how to address prostitution.

Some believe that prostitution should be legal if it is between two consenting adults. Others argue that prostitution should not be legalized, as it is inherently demeaning and supportive of patriarchal values. However, the object of both is still to keep women and children safe from forced prostitution. There are many debates and protests that currently discuss whether or not prostitution should be legalized in the United States. There is an image from the Women’s March in Boston of a woman with a protest sign stating “Respect Sex Workers”. Kristoff and WuDunn point out that the left often regard prostitution “nonjudgementally”(Kristoff and WuDunn 25), as they are more tolerant of legalization. In contrast, the right and some feminists recognize an innate indignity in doing so. 

By legalizing prostitution, the goal would be to create safe and secure spaces for sex workers. Therefore, there would be better conditions for those workers and would likely help in preventing abuses that could occur in the workplace. By making prostitution legal, it can be easily monitored to ensure that it meets health and security standards. The problems that arise from sex trafficking cannot be denied to any extent. Thus, many see legalizing prostitution as a step to finding a solution to the sex trafficking issue. While it will not completely eliminate the problem, it could alter the power structure for women who do not feel that they are secure and give them a voice. Others, in contrast, view the legalization of prostitution as perpetuating the problem. Some would argue that women should not feel so insecure that prostitution is their only option to financial or human security. Instead, the illegal activity of sex trafficking should be better addressed, rather than working to legalize prostitution in itself. While each side has different methods and approaches, each understands the scope of the issue that is sex trafficking and that a solution must be created.

The national security aspect of the problem comes into play as there is an emphasis on migrants crossing borders during the sex trafficking process. When victims are deported from one nation, “they risk being re-trafficked”(Lobasz 333). Similarly, in treating victims of sex trafficking as criminals, no solution is developed. Victims then are more vulnerable to a similar situation that caused them harm and abuse before. The current outlines that separate sex trafficking from smuggling are difficult to ascertain, as the difference is dependent on whether or not there was a sense of coercion or deception present in the situation. Therefore, there are challenges posed to nations as they attempt to define the difference between the two, because many trafficking victims consent to crossing borders but certainly do not consent to the exploitation and abuse they face. Thus, it becomes difficult to come up with a plan of action to address such issues. For now, it is of the utmost importance that the human security of the victims is considered. Perhaps legalizing prostitution is a short term solution to ending some of the sex trafficking that occurs, however, it most certainly will not wholly eliminate the problem. Organizations must work to make it clear that women have other options and provide them security in their environments. Similarly, there must be a large commitment to ending the abuse and rape that occur through sex trafficking. 

Works Cited

Lobasz, Jennifer K. “Beyond Border Security: Feminist Approaches to Human Trafficking.” Security Studies, vol. 2, Routledge, 2010, pp. 319–344.

Kristof, Nicholas D., and Sheryl WuDunn. Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. Alfred A. Knopf, 2014.

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