NightVision ToastMasters

WARNING: This week’s subject matter may make some people feel uncomfortable. Participant discretion is advised.

This week’s topic is one most of us would rather avoid at the dinner table. However, I believe that Night Vision provides a perfect platform to tackle even difficult topics and would like to take this opportunity to raise awareness of the reality of the sex trade.

Contrary to popular beliefs about prostitution as the oldest profession, a choice, or even a legitimate business, sex trade is vicious, exploitive, and poorly investigated. Moreover, it is fuelling the third largest criminal industry in the world: human trafficking.

The United Nations estimate that human trafficking, primarily for the purpose of forced prostitution, generates between 7 and 10 billion dollars annually for traffickers. Although exact numbers are difficult to trace, the number of people trafficked, young women and girls (and, to a lesser extent, boys), is estimated to be in the millions.

We in Canada are not immune to the impacts of human trafficking. In fact, we are one of the destinations where trafficked people end up sold into pornography, prostitution, and, until recently, exotic dancing.

This is a big topic. Indeed, we are not going to be able to discuss all of its aspects and implications in one meeting. Let’s begin the dialogue though.

This Thursday, during our regular Table Topics session, we will look at some of the proposed solutions to address the problems of sex trade and human trafficking.

Please send me your thoughts on the topic, which will also serve as your introductions. If you are interested in learning more about the topic, please refer to the following resources:

http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/octip/resources.htm
Government of Canada Resources on Human Trafficking

http://tfgwebmaster.web.aplus.net/wwwthefuturegrouporg/id20.html
The Future Group (Canada)

http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/sexslaves.html
CBC documentary Sex Slaves

http://www.straight.com/article-215500/victor-malarek%3F%3Fs-johns-links-sextrade-patronage-antifeminist-rage
Review of Victor Malarek’s book The Johns: Sex for Sale and the Men Who Buy It, Georgia Straight

http://www.quillandquire.com/reviews/review.cfm?review_id=6477
Review of Victor Malarek’s book The Johns: Sex for Sale and the Men Who Buy It, Quill & Quire

Best wishes,
Selma