On Sunday December 2, 2007, the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, Soroptimist launched a project to create awareness about the heinous practice of Sexual Trafficking of Women and Girls. That program launched in the United States on January 11, 2008, the first National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness.
Slavery is a harsh reality for millions of people the world over who find themselves trapped in an exploitative and abusive system, bought and sold like objects, and treated with no dignity or human decency. How extensive is slavery’s reach? Human rights groups estimate that anywhere between 12.3 million and 27 million people are enslaved in forced or bonded labor, child labor, sexual servitude, and involuntary servitude at any given time. Slavery exists in a variety of permutations, but all forms of slavery share some common characteristics: slaves are forced to work; are owned or controlled by an “employer”; are dehumanized and treated as commodities and are physically constrained and unable to move. One type of slavery and exploitation that continues to proliferate at an alarming rate and that has a particular relevance to women and girls is sexual trafficking/slavery.
Sexual trafficking or slavery is the movement of women and children, within national or across international borders, for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation. Commercial sexual exploitation includes pornography, prostitution and the sexual trafficking of women and girls and is characterized by the exploitation of a human being in exchange for goods or money. Each year, between 600,000 and 800,000 women and children are trafficked across international borders though additional numbers of women and girls are trafficked within countries. Some sex trafficking is highly visible, such as street prostitution. But many trafficking victims remain unseen, operating out of unmarked brothels in unsuspecting and sometimes suburban neighborhoods. Sex traffickers may also operate out of a variety of public and private locations, such as massage parlors, spas and strip clubs.
Adult women make up the largest group of sexual trafficking victims, followed by young girl, although a small percentage of men and boys are trafficked into the sex industry as well. As an organization of business and professional women working to improve the lives of women and girls and local communities throughout the world, Soroptimist undertakes a number of other projects that directly and indirectly help victims and potential victims. These projects provide direct aid to women and girls giving women economic tools and skills to achieve financial empowerment and independence:
The Women’s Opportunity Awards program, Soroptimist’s major project, provides women who are heads of households with the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects. By helping women to receive skill and resource training, Soroptimist provides trafficking and potential trafficking victims with economic options.
The Soroptimist Club Grants for Women and Girls program provides Soroptimist clubs with cash grants for innovative projects benefiting women and girls. Many clubs undertake projects that directly and indirectly benefit trafficking victims: a Soroptimist club in the Philippines supports a shelter for abused women and girls escaping from sexual trafficking; a club in California held a conference in support of the Western Regional Task Force on Human Trafficking; and a club in Chicago has held several educational events related to trafficking.
The Making a Difference for Women Award program honors women who work to improve the lives of women and girls. Kathryn Xian is a recent recipient. In 2004, she led a grassroots campaign against a local tour company offering Asian sex tours. She also testified at a Hawaii State House of Representatives hearing on trafficking. The hearings resulted in the passage of Act 82, which makes “promoting travel for prostitution” a Class C felony violation. Act 82 now serves as model legislation for other states.
Soroptimist’s Disaster Relief Fund provides financial assistance to regions affected by natural disasters or acts of war, with special attention paid to services benefiting women and girls. Women and girls affected by disasters are often vulnerable to traffickers.
Around the world, individuals and organizations are raising awareness about trafficking and slavery, and working to end it forever. By learning more, educating others, working with support groups to end sexual slavery and advocating for stronger laws and enforcement will help to ensure that women and girls live free from violence and slavery.
Even the smallest donation makes it possible for Soroptimist to continue to raise awareness about the sexual trafficking of women and girls. Poverty is one condition rendering women and girls vulnerable to trafficking. Soroptimist works to end poverty and create opportunities for women throughout the world.
For more information about Soroptimist and what you can do to end the sexual trafficking of women and girls, please contact Gail Rocco-Mack, President of the Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita Valley at 661-263-2528.