Log #3

Sex trafficking: The new American slavery

When we think of America, we think of a rich and strong country with a diversity of people, a country stands up for freedom and human rights. Nonetheless, sex trafficking has now become the new American slavery and has taken away freedoms from countless girls.

Sacharay, a girl who used to be picked on and bullied at school thought she found comfort from a mid-30s man. However, she ended up becoming a victim of sex trafficking and was forced to have sex with dozens of men a day. I thought it was despicable of the trafficker taking advantage of Sacharay's vulnerability.

Moreover, what really startled me was that a suspected victim of trafficking didn't want any help. She would rather be arrested than going to a treatment facility. Those traffickers somehow convinced the victims that their special. Another thing that annoyed me was that we couldn't know who the johns (or child rapists) were.

"I used to hate looking in the mirror at myself," said Sacharay. "I still struggle, but I can say I'm stronger, I'm wiser and I can honestly say I do love myself. And I have hope for myself." I believe that still, a lot of girls are now just like Sacharay, suffering and thinking they do not deserved to be loved or be respect, but I also believe that if people are willing to pay attention to the issue of human trafficking and never take part in the vicious trade, someday these girls can be and will be "Free to Be Them."

Resource: http://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/20/us/sex-trafficking/