Loss Of Innocence

By: Umesh Jeyakandan

 

Perhaps Heather, a Cambodian youth had slipped through the cracks in the foster care system. Maybe she was a runaway, or a girl struggling with identity and self-esteem issues. Or she was just trying to escape from a home where domestic violence and drug abuse finally became too much to bear. They met her at the bus station and were kind. Offering shelter and sympathy. They promised her that they would take care of her and in return she trusted and loved them. By using the word “they” many would think I was talking about Heather’s friends or known family but instead the word “they” associates with traffickers who manipulate young girls like Heather and use them to make large profit.

 

Heather is not the only case of child trafficking but in fact there are 31 million people being trafficked globally. These child traffickers persuade and convince young girls starting from age 7 in which “they” would provide the best lifestyle possible. But little do they know it’s one of the worst decision of their lives.  The conditions  these traffickers bring young girls like Heater too is not an environment where a 13 year old could thrive in. These traffickers attract young girls as they’re an easier target as seen in Eastern Asia like Cambodia, Taiwan and Thailand these traffickers target girls who are less than 10, which make them more venerable. Then these trafficker they wait it out until they are grown enough and more developed to be trafficked and used as sex slaves in brothels all over famous cities where international tourists come and visit. The reason why foreign population is who large in brothels is because of the very cheap sex that these traffickers use to attract cliental.  For example a quota which many traffickers go by is that 1 girl should bring in $300 worth of profit which results in 10 to 30 sexual encounters. If the quota is not reached  nightly these girls are then beaten unmercifully. Child trafficking is a huge market which exploded after 2000 where the annual income for sex slaves and child trafficking is hitting a market value of 32 billion USD.

 

International help is common in high risk countries like Cambodia and Thailand but it’s very little they can do as all traffickers have plan B’s. UNICEF a non profit organization assists governments in strengthening laws, policies and services including legislative review and reforms, establishing minimum labour standards, and supporting access to education. UNICEF also works with communities to change norms and practices that exacerbate children’s vulnerabilities to trafficking. Protecting trafficked children requires timely victim identification, placing them in safe environment, providing them with social services, health care, and reintegration with family and community. UNICEF assists by supporting training of professionals working with children including social workers, health workers, police and border officials to effectively deal with trafficking. 

 

Therefore you the reader can help contribute and restore the lives of millions acorss the world by rasing awareness as money will end up in the wrong persons hand. Bring the Canaidian and International government more awarness as they can help put an end to it and restore the future for millions across the world. 1-800-786-SAVE.

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