Erica+and+Catherine

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Abstract: This article is about Sex trafficking in Hawaii. Women and girls as young as the age of twelve are forced into this form of slavery on the streets of Waikiki. Some are local but others are shipped in from other cities. Sex trafficking is a huge money maker to pimps, as the prostitutes are worth $2,000 to $3,000. Hawaii is one of the only states in the country that do not have a specific law outlawing prostitution. Orginizations such as PASS are working to help the prostitutes get out. Many do not seek help however because they feel ashamed or as if their is no one to help them.

Discussion Questions: 1. If the "customers" know about sex trafficking then why are they still open to buying a girl for one night? 2. What do the prostitutes plan to do for the rest of their lives if they do not seek help? 3. Who is the most vulnerable to become trafficked? 4. How do the parents of these young girls view this situation? 5. What is the incentive for customers to accept these kinds of prostitution services? (the girl may have STDs) 6. How did sex trafficking start? 7. Why doesn't anyone report sex trafficking when they witness it? 8. Besides the money industry, what other reasons might cause pimps to go into the prostitution business? 9. How is the price of each girl determined? 10. Are any of the girls well-educated? Will that create a difference in sex trafficking?

Erica's Response: This article was so alarming to me. I first heard about sex trafficking in the movie //Taken// but never realized that it was happening on our own island! I knew that prostitution occurred on the streets of Waikiki, as they are commonly seen when walking around down town at nights. It's so sad to think that these girls are forced into this prostitution and that they feel like they have no way out. Most of us are 16 or 17 years old and we are all privileged to live in safe homes and go to a school like 'Iolani. When I read that girls as young as 11 years old are kidnapped and sold into this form of human slavery I was so disturbed. My sister is 11 years old and still needs so much care and nurturing but these girls are forced to sell their bodies and if they don't they get severely punished in ways such as beating and starvation. I also was astonished to know about the lack of laws in Hawaii outlawing this. It is great that organizations are helping to get these girls out and provide them with safe homes however I feel like there is more that could be done.

Catherine's Response: This article made me come to my senses about prostitution and sex trafficking. From history classes, I learned that slavery was abolished in the 20th century so I never imagined that there was another type of slavery still present in the society in which we live in. I have seen prostitutes and call girls standing on the corner of the street in the past in both the heart of Honolulu- Waikiki or Chinatown. I have come to the realization that most the prostitution occurs in the city where the girls have a higher rate of selling their bodies for a night. It's horrific that these girls are forced into doing these kind of actions and they are still treated like dirt by their pimps. One can only imagine all the pains that they have to suppress within and the enormous amount of effort it takes for them to get up in the morning and face the world on a daily basis. This article has changed my perspective on the girls that sell themselves every night. It's not because they want to but rather, because they have to. It's so heartbreaking to see them suffer under such cruel circumstances but it's even worse that they feel like they are so desperate and they can't seek for help. It amazes me that Hawaii, one of the safest places in the U.S., has not taken any action to outlaw this action. However, I think due to the growing severity of the issue, more and more help is along the way. Hopefully, one day, sex trafficking will no longer be an issue. Not only in Hawaii, but the entire world.