Sex Trafficking in the Ukraine

The following facts about the Ukraine have been drawn from a documentary entitled "Sex In the City"

• The city of Odessa is known for sex tourism
• There are 20, 000 full-time prostitutes and 40,000 part-time prostitutes in the Ukraine today 
• The Ukraine has become the European Thailand/ Bangkok
• The Capital Kiev has been referred to as a "hunting ground"
• Hotels become brothels for organized tours (sex tours) - on average there will be 40 girls per hotel
• Political systems are seen as large criminal gangs that run these organized sex tours
• Researchers and International Authorities are of the suspicion that 40% of child pornography is filmed in the Ukraine
• "Ukraine has one of the most severe HIV/AIDS epidemics in Europe, contributing to nearly 21 percent of the newly reported HIV diagnosis in Europe and Eurasia." US National Institute of Health
• Occurring as a result of elicit sex market
• Social workers are trying to make a difference through mobilized clinics to test for HIV and STI's, and to hand out condoms 
• It is known that child sex tourism is expanding in the Ukraine 
• These children are kept off the streets and are often pimped out from a "home" by a "mother" or a pimp 
• There is an increase in drug use among street kids in the Ukraine and these kids are being drawn into the sex trade to support their habits 

 To watch this documentary follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL-Y-W59BFo

In Reflection to These Facts and My Mini Research Essay:

Many argue that the majority of women who are involved in Western prostitution enter and remain in the industry of their own free will. However, in the developing countries which act as a popular sex tourism destination there is strong evidence to suggest that the majority of women who are involved in the industry have no control over their position. Their involvement is not only a product of poverty, but also manipulation, deception, abuse and modern enslavement. Despite globalization’s ability to create opportunity and awareness for minorities it also creates a greater risk for exploitation. The growth of sex tourism in the Ukraine and therefore the sex trade are a clear example of ways in which globalization has hindered global equality and social development. In the instance of sex tourism, women across cultures are essential victims of contemporary enslavement.

As a means of helping these enslaved women and stopping the growth and development of the sex trafficking industry, Western inhabitants must develop awareness for the relationship between sex tourism and contemporary enslavement. I believe that that the first step to decreasing involvement in sex tourism must be to create awareness for the harm it creates. The West must experience a shift in the ways it views the women who are victim to this form of sexual abuse. Furthermore I believe it is absolutely necessary that the Western world work to foster stronger international laws which recognize the connection between the sex trade and sex tourism which in turn will create accountability for Western tourists.