The following
list suggests specific actions that men and boys can take
to end this atrocity that is occurring here in the United
States and around the world.
Date: 2010
(1) CHALLENGE THE
GLAMORIZATION
OF PIMPS IN OUR CULTURE
Mainstream culture has popularized the image of a pimp to the
point that some men and boys look up to pimps as if they represent legitimate male role models and view “pimping”
as a normal expression of masculinity. In reality, pimps play a central role in
human trafficking and cause tremendous harm by routinely raping, beating, and
terrorizing women and girls to keep them locked in prostitution.
Men can take a
stand against pimps and pimping by renouncing
the pimp culture
and the music that glorifies it.
(2) CONFRONT THE BELIEF
THAT
PROSTITUTION IS A “VICTIMLESS
CRIME”
Many men view prostitution as a “victimless crime.” But it is not.
For example, women who are involved in prostitution are at a greater risk to be
murdered than women in the general population (Potterat, 2004). Research also shows that women involved in prostitution suffer tremendous
physical and mental trauma associated with prostitution. Viewing prostitution as a victimless crime or something
that women “choose” allows men to ignore the fact that the average age of entry into prostitution in the United
States is 13 years old, and that the vast majority of women engaged in prostitution would like to get out but feel
trapped.
Men should stop
viewing prostitution as a victimless crime
and acknowledge the
tremendous harm and suffering that
their participation
in prostitution causes.
(3) STOP PATRONIZING
STRIP CLUBS
When men think of human trafficking, they often think of brothels
in countries outside of the United States. However, strip clubs in the United States and abroad may be a
place where human trafficking victims go unnoticed or unidentified. Strip clubs are places of manufactured pleasure
where strippers are routinely sexually harassed and assaulted by owners, patrons, and security personnel. Men rarely consider whether women working in
strip clubs are coerced into that line of work, because to do so would
conflict with the pleasure of participating in commercialized sex venues. Strip clubs—like brothels—are the most
popular venues where the purchase of sexual services from women occurs the most.
Men can combat human
trafficking by no longer patronizing strip
clubs and by encouraging
their friends and co-workers to do the same.
(4) DON’T CONSUME PORNOGRAPHY
(4) DON’T CONSUME PORNOGRAPHY
Pornography manipulates male sexuality, popularizes unhealthy
attitudes towards sex and sexuality, and eroticizes violence against women. Pornography leads men and boys
to believe that certain sexual acts are normal, when in fact sexual acts that are non-consensual, offensive
and coupled with violent intent result in the pain, suffering, and humiliation of women and children. In
addition, a disproportionate amount of mainstream pornography sexualizes younger women with such titles as “teens”, “barely
18”, “cheerleaders,” etc. Targeting younger women socializes men to develop appetites for younger and younger women and creates a “pedophile-like culture” among
men. Victims of human trafficking have also been forced into pornography.
Men can stop the
voyeurism of sex
and sex acts that
fuel human trafficking by refusing to consume
pornography and
encourage others to do the same.
(5) TACKLE MALE
CHAUVINISM AND SEXISM ONLINE
Contrary to the myth that men do not gossip, men spend a
significant amount of time online discussing their sexual exploits. The internet provides many men with the ability to mask
their identities while indulging in racist, sexist, and violent diatribes against women and girls. Choosing to be a
critical voice online is an extremely important way to educate and inform men
and boys about their choices.
Men can change this
culture by starting threads in online forums
that cause men to
talk about their attitudes towards women and
how these attitudes
and behaviors are linked to human trafficking.
(6) END SEX TOURISM
Men in the United States and other “first world” nations routinely
travel overseas and have sex with women in developing countries. When men engage in these practices, they do
not acknowledge the fact that many trafficked women and children come from developing countries—even in
countries where prostitution is “legal.” Traveling overseas grants men a great deal of anonymity.
As men, wehave a
responsibility to confront the men that go overseas and
participate in sex
tourism.
(7) TALK TO MEN AND
BOYS ABOUT MEN’S ISSUES
IN MALE SPACES
The only way to change men is by engaging spaces where men and
boys talk and develop their ideas and attitudes towards sex and sexuality. Males spaces such as barbershops, locker
rooms, fraternities, and union halls are the real classrooms where boys learn to become men and where men
develop most of their ideas about how to interact with women. If men do not feel comfortable talking
about these issues in male spaces, they can drop off informational brochures and make themselves available to talk with
other men and boys when they have questions or concerns.
As men, we need to
turn male spaces into circles of
accountability
where men learn about non-violence, social justice,
and ending violence
against women.
(8) SUPPORT ANTI-HUMAN
TRAFFICKING POLICIES
President Obama declared January 2010 as National Slavery and
Human Trafficking Prevention Month. However, more substantive legislation is required to end human trafficking.
Men can educate themselves about the issues by visiting anti-trafficking organizations and by asking their
elected officials what they have done to support or sponsor anti-human trafficking legislation.
One of the most important
acts men can do to stop human trafficking
is to support anti-trafficking legislation at
the local, state or federal level.
(9) SUPPORT
CREATION OF “JOHN SCHOOLS”
There would be no human trafficking if there were was no demand
for it! Strategies aimed at ending human trafficking must focus on eliminating
the demand. “John Schools” are education programs designed to educate customers
apprehended by law enforcement who attempted to purchase sex. By teaching the
legal and health effects of buying sex and the realities of prostitution, such
schools impart knowledge that can reduce demand, making men conscious of how
their actions can spur on human trafficking.
Learnwhether or not
your local community has a John School. If not, encourage
your local
prosecutor’s office or city counsel to start one.
(10) RAISE SONS AND
MENTOR BOYS
TO CHALLENGE OPPRESSION
No boy is destined to be a “john”, a pimp, or a human trafficker. Raising
young men in circles of accountability, to be respectful and protective of all
women and children is one of the most important things men can do to stop human trafficking.
Talk about human
trafficking as a modern form of slavery to help convince men and boys to become
allies in the fight to end this form of oppression
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