Last week I attended a workshop sponsored by the Provincial Council of Women in Winnipeg, Manitoba on this topic. It was an eye opening experience for me listening to the vast number of women and girls who are being trafficked daily across the globle from one country to another to satisfy men's appetitie for young women - mostly virgins as a strategy to lessen their chances of contracting the AIDS Virus.
Victor Malarek was among the first reporters who blew open this topic through his brilliant undercover work in European countries. He wrote a book “The Natashas” a heartwrenching story of this modern day slave like condition in which women and girls are the main targets.
The top major countries for this illicit trade is the new republics of Europe, Thailand, Nigeria and many South American countries. Girls from poor countries are sought by this highly organized trade supported by big businessen. They are lured with the promise of lucrative modelling jobs for younger girls and the older women are lured with work in the domestic field for high pay. Their expenses are covered by the business and when they arrive at their destination countries their passports are immediately taken under the guise of “protection”.
According to one woman, a former model, a popular destination for young girls trafficked is Greece. Once they get their their scout might send them out on a fake job. They will then tell the girls that the prospects did not like them, they didn't have what the buyers were looking for. The girls will then get anxious as to how they will survive or return home. They will then be offered waitressing in a bar. Within a week they'd be exotic dancer and the next they'll be having sex for money. The downward spiral is fast and furious. The girls are never paid enough to find their way back home and because they come from poor circumstances, no one pays much attention to them. Voices of their parents and/or family members go unheard.