Too often when we think about human trafficking, and sex trafficking in particular, we think of it as a problem "out there." But this year, for the first time, the U.S. State Department included the U.S. in its annual report on trafficking, admitting that it is a grave problem in the U.S. as well.
Jewel Woods, Executive Director of The Renaissance Male Project, is trying to combat that myth. Woods recently began promoting RMP's efforts to address the role of the US in trafficking.
They recently produced a brochure: "Ten Things Men and Boys Can Do to Stop Human Trafficking." Woods co-chairs the Ohio attorney general's "Ohio Trafficking In Persons Study Commission Demand Reduction Sub-Committee." I asked Woods why the RMP, located in Columbus Ohio, has made this a major focus of its work these days:
"Toledo, Ohio has the dubious distinction of being one of four cities to lead the nation in the number of domestic minors involved in human trafficking...we realizes we need to deal with the demand-side of human trafficking because no one was dealing with it. We started working with the Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition about a year ago, and RMP just started our first John School in Toledo."
The reality is, as Woods succinctly puts it, "there would be no human trafficking if there were was no demand for it!" That is why we need to target boys and men. Woods charges "we need to turn male spaces into circles of accountability where men learn about non-violence, social justice, and ending violence against women." And that is just what the RMP is doing.
The following list has been adapted from the RMP brochure, and suggests specific actions that men and boys can take to end this atrocity that is occurring here in the United States and around the world. (Contact RMP for the brochure and other resources)
1. CHALLENGE THE GLAMORIZATION OF PIMPS IN OUR CULTURE
Mainstream culture and the music industry have popularized the image of a pimp to the point that some men and boys look up to pimps as if they represent legitimate male role models and view "pimping" as a normal expression of masculinity. In reality, pimps play a central role in human trafficking and cause tremendous harm by routinely raping, beating, and terrorizing women and girls to keep them locked in prostitution.
2. CONFRONT THE BELIEF THAT PROSTITUTION IS A "VICTIMLESS CRIME"
Many men view prostitution as a "victimless crime." But it is not. For example, women who are involved in prostitution are at greater risk to be murdered, and suffer
tremendous physical and mental trauma. The average age of entry into prostitution in the United States is 13 years old.
3. STOP PATRONIZING STRIP CLUBS
Strip clubs in the United States and abroad may be a place where human trafficking victims go unnoticed or unidentified. Men rarely consider whether women working in strip clubs are coerced into that line of work, because to do so would conflict with the pleasure of participating in commercialized sex venues. Strip clubs--like brothels-- are the most popular venues where the purchase of sexual services from women occurs the most.
4. DON'T CONSUME PORNOGRAPHY
Pornography manipulates male sexuality, popularizes unhealthy attitudes towards sex and sexuality, and eroticizes violence against women. Pornography leads men and boys to believe that certain sexual acts are normal, when in fact sexual acts that are non-consensual, offensive and coupled with violent intent result in the pain, suffering, and humiliation of women and children. In addition, a disproportionate amount of mainstream pornography sexualizes younger women with such titles as "teens", "barely 18", "cheerleaders," etc. Victims of human trafficking have also been forced into pornography. Men can stop the voyeurism of sex and sex acts that fuel human trafficking by refusing to consume pornography and encourage others to do the same.
5. TACKLE SEXISM ONLINE
Men spend a significant amount of time online discussing their sexual exploits. The internet provides many men with the ability to mask their identities while indulging in racist, sexist, and violent diatribes against women and girls. Choosing to be a critical voice online is an extremely important way to educate and inform men and boys about their choices.
6. END SEX TOURISM
Men in the United States routinely travel overseas and have sex with women in developing countries. When men engage in these practices, they do not acknowledge the fact that many trafficked women and children come from developing countries-- even in countries where prostitution is "legal."
7. TALK TO MEN AND BOYS ABOUT MEN'S ISSUES IN MALE SPACES
The only way to change men is by engaging spaces where men and boys talk and develop their ideas and attitudes towards sex and sexuality. Males spaces such as barbershops, locker rooms, fraternities, and union halls are the real classrooms where boys learn to become men and where men develop most of their ideas about how to interact with women. If men do not feel comfortable talking about these issues in male spaces, they can drop off informational brochures and make themselves available to talk with other men and boys when they have questions
or concerns.
8. SUPPORT ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING POLICIES
One of the most important acts men can do to stop human trafficking is to support
anti-trafficking legislation at the local, state and federal level. Many states have no anti-trafficking legislation.
9. SUPPORT CREATION OF "JOHN SCHOOLS"
Strategies aimed at ending human trafficking must focus on eliminating the demand. "John Schools" are education programs designed to educate customers apprehended by law enforcement who attempted to purchase sex. By teaching the legal and health effects of buying sex and the realities of prostitution, such schools impart knowledge that can reduce demand, making men consciousof how their actions can spur on human trafficking. Learn whether or not your local community has a John School. If not, encourage your local prosecutor's office or city counsel to start one.
10. RAISE SONS AND MENTOR BOYS TO CHALLENGE OPPRESSION
No boy is destined to be a "john", a pimp, or a human trafficker. Raising young men in circles of accountability, to be respectful and protective of all women and children is one of the most important things men can do to stop human trafficking.
I understand you want to defend your work and honor (ironic), but I feel sorry for you.
But, good for you that you do it willingly. Most do not. Watch the documentary film 'Very Young Girls'. Yup, that's your industry. Glad you support it.
There is no need to defend our work. Our clients--a large percentage of the male population (including your father, brother, cousin, best buddy, etc.) defend it with their wallets.
Let me ask you a question: How could you be so intellectually dense as to conflate the trafficking of children for sexual exploitation with the transaction of sexual arousal for money between/among two or more consenting adults? Adult prostitution and child sexual exploitation as manifest in human sex trafficking are NOT the same industries or phenomena. We do not condone or support human sex trafficking or child sexual exploitation.
At root, the End Demand architects believe that no woman can consent to sex for money. By logical extension this framework's logic dictates that women are incapable of choosing their sexual activities and choosing how they make money. As a feminist, I refuse to adopt any philosophy or support any law that frames all women as "victims" and, more important, fundamentally negates a woman's capacity to choose.
How do you like others making decisions and taking action "for your own good," without your consent? That's what's going on here.
It's one thing to tell clients to only hire sex workers who are adults and to wherever possible avoid patronizing escort services or massage parlors that may be using sex workers who may be underaged/human trafficked.
It's a whole other ballgame to tell us not to hire sex workers at all, not to go to strip clubs, not to look at porno and not even to listen to rap songs about pimps!
That's just not realistic (well, maybe the part about not listening to rap songs about pimps is realistic - the rest isn't).
Men are going to hire sex workers, that's been a reality for the last 5,000 years and Jewel Woods moralism will not change that one bit!
Society needs to face that fact, legalize sex work and give the women, men and transgendered folks in that industry the legal rights that they deserve for the necessary services that they provide to the community.
One small correction to Ferber's opening paragraph. She writes that "this year, for the first time, the U.S. State Department included the U.S. in its annual report on trafficking, admitting that it is a grave problem in the U.S. as well." Actually, the Human Trafficking situation in the USA has been painstakingly discussed in every one of its annual trafficking reports, every single year. The only change this year is one of format, and not of content. This year, USA-trafficking was formatted in the same manner as all of the other countries mentioned.
Thank you Abby Ferber for your article. - Prof Patt, http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/
Sweeping and sensationalistic statements like "The overwhelming majority are forced into it" Are just they are also just what you think and not the facts as there is no real data about whats over whelming" and whats the "majority" because the segment of the sex worker population who are choice workers are always ignored and denied by people like Miss Ferber.
The above comes across more as having a moral agenda then really addressing trafficking. Men are not bad for going to strip clubs or watching porn. This is a reasonable avenue for sexual fantasy fulfillment when done between consenting adults.
And what about us women that consume porn or go to strip clubs? Oh, I suppose I've been brainwashed by the patriarchy on that...unable to discern my own sexual fantasies from what men have programmed into me, right?? WRONG! I am fully capable of knowing my own body, my own interests and my own appetite. Freedom to choose also means also accepting mistakes when they happen (as they always do). One dad is enough thanks...
The people i know who work the hardest to end trafficking are sex workers themselves. These "groups" like the "The Renaissance Male Project," who are always out to "save us" never consult us or even admit that we exist. That there is a huge community of sex workers who do what we do by choice, yes by choice. Were not victims, were informed, educated adults. Its much easier for them to ignore our existence then to address the real and complicated issues that surround sex work
Labor trafficking is a much bigger human trafficking problem but that almost never gets addressed.
Jenny DeMilo- Sex Worker
http://jennydemilo.com
Btw, the majority of men DON'T go to prostitutes. Anyone thinking clearly (not drunk or on drugs) knows how easily it is to "relieve" tension, without wasting money or worrying for weeks if you're going to start seeing herpes bumps.