The connection between human trafficking and consensual prostitution makes about as much sense as comparing illegal dog fighting with some damn puppies playing in the park. Because a small percentage of people have abused and debased some poor animals, does that mean all dog socialization should be outlawed? To be fair I don’t know a damn thing about the realities of human trafficking, but I think that only proves my point. It probably takes a helluva lot longer for my “dirty money” to reach the hands of those with ill intent than, say, the billions of dollars spent at Exxon stations, fast food restaurants, and Gymboree every damn year. Yes, concerned citizens, this greedy whore MUST be stopped from purchasing $7 goat cheese at her local farmer’s market! It can only perpetuate the disgusting manufacture of…more goat cheese! Best to prosecute me, destroy every facet of my life, and force me to work at the Gap until my debt to society is repaid. Sounds a lot more like slavery to me, folks.

I see anti-sex work campaigns (in general) as undoubtedly intended to evoke an emotional response from people who have no personal connection to the good work itself, otherwise no one would buy this shit (ooh, there’s a good pun there!). Honestly, I would like to know what’s up with human trafficking; as someone who chooses sex work as a living, it feels important to be aware of the dark flip side. But I don’t want the bias, bologna and bullshit shoved down my otherwise perfectly willing throat. This “all prostitution is trafficking” crap is just nonsense and in my eyes destroys the credibility of those who are working honorably to get the story told right.

On that note, ARE there pro-sex worker/anti-human trafficker activists out there?

It is also interesting to look at the exploitative images used in media reports on trafficking. Like this: http://honoluluweekly.com/cover/2011/03/how-much-is-your-daughter-worth/ (apologies for linking to a truly awful article)

and this: http://www.slate.com/id/2120331/