Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Sydney (Agenzia Fides) – Each year, thousands of women from countries in Asia, Eastern Europe and South America are trafficked to Australia. For the privilege of migrating here, living in this country 'servicing' 6 or 10 men a night, it costs $15,000. So, instead of being paid in the first months of their time here, these women are required to service 800 men for free to pay off that debt. It seems indeed that these women are not only often violently stripped of their clothing; but of their rights and their dignity.
Australian organization ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans) is one of the foremost organizations working to liberate women from the sex industry. According to their statistics, 'human trafficking is the third largest criminal industry in the world, outranked only by arms and drug dealing. The United Nations estimates that trafficking in persons trade generates anything up to $32US billion annually for traffickers. According to ACRATH, Australia's anti-people trafficking strategy was established in 2003, with initial funding of $20 million over four years. A further $38.3 million over four years was allocated in the 2007-08 budget, including $26.3 million for new initiatives. In the meantime, awareness of the issue is low. Few realize the sheer volume of women who are sold into this industry, often completely unaware of how they will be forced to live their lives.
Many argue that the legalization of prostitution empowers those working in the industry; that it brings in checks and balances, allows for better working conditions. Canadian award winning journalist and author who is currently touring Australia, Victor Malarek, argues differently. “These days, women working in the sex industry are called 'Independent Contractors', they can apparently choose their own working conditions, and some even argue that there is now safety in it. Anyone in the sex industry would be able to tell you that you can never ever have safety.” In a speaking tour sponsored by grassroots NGO Collective Shout and the Salvation Army, this passionate journalist was forthright in his message that the sex industry is perhaps the most destructive force working against women in the world. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 5/6/2010)
