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Devani Sharma
Sociology 101
Professor Strong
5-3-16
Sex Trafficking Children
Children are meant to represent a symbol of innocence and purity. However many people
are blind to the reality that a vast number of children are forced to face. Slavery still exists in
many forms and one of the greatest examples presents itself as, child sex trafficking. Every year
around 600,000-800,000 people are trafficked over the international borer, this includes both
genders and people of all ages. Even more shocking, more than half of these victims worldwide
are children. (Source 1) This means that children account for over 300,000 of the victims
exposed to sex trafficking. As much as the public would like to pretend like this is a nonexistent
issue in which they will never come in contact with, the fact of the matter is child trafficking
exists all around us, and in many cases could be children we personally know.
This is an imperative issue that must be addressed and abolished. Children that are
unfortunate enough to find themselves in this situation are inevitably: tortured, punished, beaten
and mistreated. Not only does their physical heath deteriorate but their mental health along with
it. They are no longer seen as human beings, instead they are viewed as a product to bring in
money. It is estimated that a sex trafficker can make up to $650,000 a year, just by exploiting
four children. (Source 2) And they abuse them to the full extent, they are forced to participate in
pornography, stripping, sexual acts, lap dances, etc. (Source 2) If a child fails to please their
abuser, they are physically assaulted, left to starve, denied access to attaining proper hygiene, etc.

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Child trafficking is essentially hidden from the public. No one wants to admit the severity
of the situation, because that would mean they would actually have to do something about it. The
vast number of children that are affected is rarely portrayed in the media, thus people become
blind to the reality. They do not realize the high probability of their own child becoming a victim.
It's imperative for the public to understand that a child does not choose this lifestyle, it is
something they are forced into. Children should not be viewed and treated as prostitutes, rather
they should be cared for and nurtured back into the world. Children in these situations are made
to believe that what they are doing is of their own free will, and therefore they feel like all the
repercussions they face is due to their own "choices. Through situational circumstance and the
mental abuse of their traffickers they are made to fear government officials and anyone offering
them help, therefore they feel alone and trapped in their world. (Source 1)
Not only is child trafficking a public issue, but it is one that affects children
worldwide. There are many organizations dedicated toward aiding victims and stopping sex
trafficking. Everyday people have the chance to volunteer and donate to better the lives of
children. Organizations provide a way for victims not only to be helped, but to be restored, so
that they can find a new life and a better self. (Source 4) However organizations like these are
scarcely popular, unlike popular magazines and television commercials, the public will rarely
come across advertisements to help children being trafficked simply with the help of social
media.
Current victims must be helped, this can be possible through proper training of: public
officials, Police officers, teachers, counselors and even students. Each individual should be
trained to recognize the symptoms of a child who is being sexually exploited. Situations as such
should not be taken lightly, if suspicion arises, it must be reported immediately. The abusers

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involved should reap the harsh punishments for their actions as well as each individual
participant in the issue (weather this includes abusive parents, pimps, or people that paid for and
encouraged the exploitation). Children on the other hand should be treated as children not as
criminals.
When addressing this issue, aiding those that are already victims is not enough.
Preventing future child trafficking incidents is key to solving the problem. Education is very
important for a growing child's mind, every child should be equipped with the proper education
to understand what trafficking is, how it can be avoided, and presented with places they can go if
they are in need of help. This should not be a hidden issue, it must be something that both
children and parents are aware of. The more people understand about the brutal reality of the
situation the greater chance they have of being protected. Other than shifts in education and
thinking, legal action must come about. The government must perform through background
checks on any person that wants to become a foster parent, adoptive parent, etc. Too many
children are exploited because of government mistakes. (Source 5)
This must be a plan that is implemented at a global level. Just as easy as it is to view
commercials for our favorite video games and makeup products, we should be able to access and
view information about the reality of child trafficking. More people must become aware of the
problems and recognize that it is going on all around them. Education plays a major factor in the
future of ending child trafficking because if more people are educated across the globe, they will
be more keen in understanding the ways in which they can avoid being trafficked as well as what
to do if they are being currently abused. This is not a plan specific to any county, race or gender.
This is something that is necessary to every individual worldwide, because every child deserves
to live an abuse free, healthy life.

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Sources cited
1. CHILD VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING (n.d.): n. pag. Web.
http://www.law.washington.edu/AsianLaw/HumanTrafficking/child_victims.pdf
2. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children/sex Trafficking. United States: Office
of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2013. Web.
http://www.ojjdp.gov/mpg/litreviews/CSECSexTrafficking.pdf .
3. "'The Women Who Sold Their Daughters into Sex Slavery." CNN. Cable News
Network, n.d. Web. 05 May
2016. http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2013/12/world/cambodia-child-sex-trade/
4. "Child Trafficking and Child Welfare." Polaris. N.p., 09 Oct. 2015. Web. 05 May
2016. http://polarisproject.org/resources/child-trafficking-and-child-welfare
5. "Obama Administration Placed Children with Human Traffickers, Report
Says." Washington Post. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 05 May 2016.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/obama-administration-placed-childrenwith-human-traffickers-report-says/2016/01/28/39465050-c542-11e5-9693933a4d31bcc8_story.html

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