This past year I set out to read three books on the topic of Human Sex Trafficking. The first was Invisible Chains by Benjamin Perrin. The second was The Natashas by Victor Malarek and the third was The Johns also by Victor Malarek. Through the pages I traveled into the dark recesses of this perverse world of slavery. Not because I enjoy reading about the suffering of others but because I am desperate to understand how this crime against humanity continues to prevail. I want to share with you what I learned.

* There are hundreds of thousands of women and children every year who are trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Near to me and probably close to you there is a place, whether it be a brothel, a strip club, a massage parlor or a porn establishment, that is connected to the business of human trafficking.

* Wherever the military, peacekeepers and large sporting events are, so too are the traffickers. They set up shop or expand on the existing sexual services to accommodate the influx of men ready to pay for play. In many countries in which these men are stationed it is not uncommon to find that a short trek down the road will lead straight to booming music, booze and the solicitation from an abused, prostituted girl, who pastes a fake smile on her face.

* When poverty, war or natural disasters ravage an area this becomes the time for traffickers, johns and pedophiles to mobilize; capitalizing on the desperation and misfortune of another human being. I learned that on some sick level the johns feel they are doing these women a favour because without their money these women and children would be hungry or unable to support their family. Their apparent charity can only happen when their zipper is down and their fantasies fulfilled.

* 'Sex tourism' ( which should be renamed to better reflect the abuse) is booming. Countries who provide a playground for this so called tourism are receiving millions/billions in revenue. There are pay offs to government officials and police that help keep both money and human beings flowing from coast to coast, country to country. Multiple cases of high ranking members of society (in positions of trust) have been found to be involved in the purchase of women and children.

* Both in Canada and the United States studies have shown that the purchasers of sex are most likely to be fathers, in a relationship, had some post secondary education and employed. The demand for younger girls is growing because "domination and manipulation of young children is easier" and another factor is the hyper-sexualization of young girls. Imagery has exploded in advertising, on television and Internet that contributes to men seeking to purchase sex or sexually abuse underage boys or girls. (as noted in Benjamin Perrin's Invisible Chains)

* There are multiple sites and forums in which johns from all over the world support each other to find the best "bang" for their buck. Johns discuss how much to pay for a woman or child, tips on how to get the cost down, they brag about their exploits and offer advice on what to avoid so as to stay under the radar of law enforcement (as if there was any enforcement). The johns (aka fathers, husbands and brothers) verbalize their disdain for women in their home country with considerable cruelty. Dating or marriage to "AW's" (American Women) is no match for the "GFE" (Girl Friend Experience) they receive from foreign women. The fact that the GF's or children are paid, are in danger and have an underlying disgust for them, fails to be understood by johns.

* Pimps and Traffickers have been known to simply pick girls off the street or target orphanages. Some orphanages have invested in security to protect these predators from kidnapping their children while others struggle to have such protective measures in place. Once of age and no longer able to stay in the orphanages the jackals wait at the gates for their next meal ticket.

* Talk is cheap. Countries may appear to have laws on the books or have signed on to protocol but the capture and convictions of offenders is minuscule. Many victims of trafficking struggle to see justice and for some the consequence for seeking justice may end their life. The critical details such as protection of these survivors, along with long term counseling, education and training, are still being worked out.

* Legalization of prostitution hasn't worked. Trafficking and organized crime maintained and increased its footprint in countries that adopted legalized prostitution. As such, many countries are revisiting the effectiveness of such a decision. Women (and children) were not protected under legalization. Health checks protect the johns but since the johns are not checked the women are left exposed to various diseases. Once contracted they are not able to work in legalized brothels. Also, it isn't the local women who make up the majority of the workers in prostitution, strip clubs and parlours instead it requires outside women (and children) to be trafficked in to meet the demand. Sweden's Sex Purchase Law criminalizes the johns and offers comprehensive services to victims. (The John's also receive programs) There has been a considerable reduction in the recruitment of women and traffickers don't see Sweden as a viable market.

* Pornography plays a huge role whether directly or indirectly. If a women or child's capture is not for the purposes of participating directly in porn it is still likely to be present. Using porn to demonstrate sex acts is common place and even Hollywood has offered up some help. Described in one of Victor Malarek's books was the use of Striptease with Demi Moore and Showgirls as a way to instruct the girls on how to dance. Instruction comes in the form of porn in addition to brutal coersion and rape.

* Simple Economics: In our acceptance of our pornified and hyper-sexualized culture we are becoming unknowing co-conspirators in this cruel trade. Trafficking girls are found in strip clubs, massage parlours and pornography; traffickers will continue to supply the product if you provide the demand.

* Hiding behind constitutions and outdated laws traffickers roam free. Our Government representatives will need all of us to hold their feet to the fire on this issue. Make it a priority to contact their offices and sign petitions. Look for anti-trafficking petitions online and make your name count for something. There are groups like Anti-Slavery in the United Kingdom – Change.org and Polaris Project in United States - HumanTrafficking.org with worldwide information and Hope for the Sold in Canada, among others.

This has been a long post and I applaud you for getting this far. There is so much to learn about this topic but it is not about the knowing that counts, it is about the doing. What are you doing to stop human trafficking? Anything? Or, is it just one of those areas of human suffering you would rather pretend doesn't exist so you don't have to take time to donate, serve or sign. Traffickers are counting on you to continue to think that way. Business is booming! Please let them know we want to protect our women and children.