Currently we just finished a book in our English class called "The Water Knife" by Paolo Bacigalupi. Throughout the book we follow one of the main character named Maria, she is struggling in the world she is living in and has no real advantage of getting out. We concluded that her age was around 16 or younger, not really ready to be on her own yet she was. In the story everyone is trying to deal with the drought and the loss of water in Phoenix. Maria is struggling to keep her current shelter that she is living in with her friend Sarah. Like many victims who fall into sex trafficking Maria is lost and needs money. She is persuaded through violence and forced to sell her body in order to pay rent to the main leader of the strip.
"Pay him. Or the next time you come back, ... your girlfriend owes me, too." (Ch. 12) In this scene Maria is talking to the Vet about the money that she owes him. Just like many victims we can see how trapped Maria feels. She either has to pay him or end up dead, this is a scary thought. Its hard to believe how someone could make you feel this way. How in a second your life could be over and what would you do in order to stay alive? Life during this novel was no longer about happiness and family but more about survival and making sure that each day wasn't your last. It is horrific to see how sex trafficking can happen, you never really think about what these people go through on a daily bases. By reading this book it made me more aware of this growing issue in America and around the world. People are being sold into sex because they feel that they have no other options left, what can they do at this point they are no longer in charge or their own fate. Maria seems to feel this way throughout the book, and sees how the world may never change, like Maria these victims feel as though they have no other choice."She needed more than... pad their bras." (Ch. 18) this seemed like another important quote in order to show how realistic the book made this issue. Maria is trying to think of anyway to keep this rich man to continue buying her. Polaris a sex trafficking website dedicated to informing people about the issue and providing support for anyone who may be a victim of sex trafficking. The website lists many different ways that most victims fall into sex trafficking most being either forced into it by families or violence. We can see in this passage how reliant Maria is on this man who just bought her for money. She is so scared by the Vet who could kill her that she wants to stay with this man in order to make sure she is not killed. Polaris has received reports of 22,191 sex trafficking cases just in the United States. This is a very important issue that more and more people are being forced into and it seems to be getting worse.
This was a really great post, I loved how you tied all the information back to great parts in the book. This topic was great and one that hits close to home, because my church is great at raising money and sending people to help those in sex trafficking.
ReplyDeleteThe number of reports on this issue is drastically increasing, which is absolutely terrifying. Over 22,000 cases in the US alone? Imagine adding other countries to that number. This problem needs much more attention as it may only get worse as circumstances of our planet become more dangerous.
ReplyDeleteMy mother watched Law and Order: Special Victims Unit enough that, while I love the show, I recognize how much of a problem sex trafficking is. She was also one of the helicopter moms, and missing a phone call once led to her thinking I had been trafficked.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest thing I just don't understand is why it's an issue. And I don't mean, why should we be concerned about sex trafficking victims; I mean, why did this business start? Why are there 22,000 cases in the US? That's 22,000 too many. It makes me lose faith in humanity.
It's really sad to think that people are sold into sex trafficking by family. I couldn't imagine that. I know in my hometown, Jackson, sex trafficking is being brought up more and more since it's on the rise. Scary.
ReplyDeleteI never really knew that this is something that is happening that close to home. It really is a scary situation for people are selling into sex trafficking. I can't imagine being in their shoes, wondering how they got put into the predicament that they are in.
DeleteIt's so sad that this happens so often in this day and age. It even happens right here in southwest MI. I've seen several flyers in women's restrooms with phone numbers to call if you're being trafficked. It can happen to anyone and anywhere, even children. It's truly horrific.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an important and scary issue! I feel like most people know little to nothing about this problem because they feel far removed from it, but the reality is that this is a problem that Michigan is really struggling with right now, especially Battle Creek.
ReplyDeletePowerful post - and passionate reactions from your readers.
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