I have some knowledge about human trafficking and the sex trade in Asia, but I know that it only scratches the surface of the industry. The article doesn’t begin to uncover the horrific truths of the sex trade and I can only imagine how many people have no idea that this tragedy continues every day. The lack of awareness, globally and locally in Asia, of this issue is the industry’s greatest advantage. If the families and the girls don’t know the risks how can they begin to protect themselves? If people all over the world don’t know about the sex trade, how can we fight to stop it? 

The fact that the country has these areas of extreme poverty and the lack of police force to protect the people and the borders indicates that something needs to change in the government. It is disgusting that parents sell their daughters for thousands of dollars, but it is hard for us to understand what life has to be like to resort to selling a child into a life of sexual violence. 

While people in other countries have virtually no control of the foreign governments, we all have an obligation to help. Simply learning and talking about the sex trade is a start. Education is power, and it is the first step in taking action against this horrible situation. Organizations like Pacific Links Foundation, the Catalyst Foundation, etc, grab my attention and inspire me to get involved, especially with locations so close here in the bay area.