Exercise 4.1

It has come to my attention that many people have lots of questions about human sex trafficking.  In this blog post I hope I can answer some questions everyone may have about human exploitation.  I am still reading The Curious Researcher by Bruce Ballenger and to open up the fourth week he asked his readers to make a dialogue with Dave.  Dave is supposed to be the reader we imagine in our heads.  He is about to read your essay, but he has questions.  Why should he care about what you are writing about?  Why did you choose to write on this topic?  Who does this topic affect?  And so on.  This exercise we were to create a conversation of questions with Dave.  So, here it is.

Dave:  Why should I care about human sex trafficking?

Me:  Everyone should care about human sex trafficking because it is coming such a problem all over the world, especially in the United States.  It could even be happening in your own hometown. 

Dave:  Where is this happening the most? And who does it affect?

Me:  I am still researching where it is happening the most, but I have found several cases of human sex trafficking all over the United States.  The two big places where it happens are California (Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego) and Texas (the Dallas-Fort Worth Area).  It has to potential to affect anyone.  

Dave:  When did human sex trafficking start becoming a problem in the United States?

Me:  Sex trafficking has been around for ages.  It is nothing new.  It has been around since the beginning of America. 

Dave:  If this has always been a problem, how many people are trafficked into the United States each year?

Me:  Between 14,500 and 17,500 people are trafficked into the U.S. each year.

Dave:  Are you kidding?  I didn’t know that.  What else did you find out?

Me: Human trafficking is the third largest international crime industry (behind illegal drugs and arms trafficking).  It reportedly generates a profit of $32 billion every year. And the average cost of a slave is only $90!

Dave:  Did that surprise you?

Me:  Yes, it did.  I spend $90 on a pair of shoes or a handbag.  I could not even imagine buying a person for $90.  That absolutely shocks me!  

Dave:  What should we do about this?

Me:  I think it is very important that we get involved with some organization that is dedicated to help stop human sex trafficking.  The only way that a survivor can get the appropriate help is through these organizations.

Dave:  I agree.  I think that is a great idea.  Where is a local place for you to get involved?

Me:  Well, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, there are two great organizations to get involved with.  These two organizations are: Love 146 and The North Star Initiative.  I have been looking into both organizations, and they both look like they have made such a huge impact in the world.  

Dave:  Okay, this is all very interesting.  But based on everything you’ve learned so far, what’s your point?

Me:  My point is that human sex trafficking victims need to be heard.  People need to take the step to help free these innocent people.  No one deserves to be treated like a slave or be forced to do something that they do not want to do.  How would you feel if your body was being taken advantage of for sex and abuse?  It is not a pleasant thought.  God has really laid this issue on my heart, and I think that it is very important to do everything possible to put an end to human sex trafficking.