Supply and Demand

A question I get asked often from people trying to understand the growing epidemic of sex trafficking is around how to cut off supply and/or eliminate demand. I think there are many organizations and government agencies trying to unlock the key to this dilemma, and while some success has been made, I don’t think anyone has found the golden ticket yet. Through my research, I have come across two organizations (one, which I have volunteered with), that are individually taking on the supply side of the issue, and the demand.

Eliminating Supply

While almost unfathomable to you and I, selling a child is sometimes the only way a family can afford to keep everyone else in their family alive. Many times, families don’t know they are selling their child into prostitution – they are told that they will be working in a neighboring city or country, and creating a better life for themselves. The money generated from the sale of a child (almost always girls) could buy food on a table, or an animal to generate long-term money for the family. The irony is that if a girl was put in school, versus sold to a brothel, over the long-term she could generate more money, support and status for her family.

The American Assistance for Cambodia started a program called Girls Be Ambitious, and yes…they bribe families to keep girls in school. A family can generate $10/month if their girl has perfect attendance in school. This means that we could keep a girl out of sexual slavery and from being trafficked, for $120 a year. Think of it…the cost of a pair of shoes or dinner out on Friday night for us, could literally save a girls life.

Eliminate Demand

Recently, I worked closely with an organization based in NYC called Stop Child Trafficking Now. SCTNow has chosen to fund a bold, new approach—one that addresses demand—by targeting child predators for prosecution and conviction. They fund special operative teams (retired FBI/navy personnel), who identify predators to arrest, charge, prosecute and convict. Their philosophy is listed on their website:

Rescuing child victims, while important and essential, does nothing to stem the tide of child trafficking. Economic principals prove that supply is a byproduct of demand. When demand goes up, so too does the supply to meet that demand. Conversely, if the demand goes down, then so too will the supply. As long as these predators buy and exploit children, there will continue to be a market and a demand for them. SCTNow's philosophy is to give its undivided attention to the demand side

Both organizations are unique in that they are attacking the problem, before it results in a victim, or survivor needing rehabilitation. Just another example of courageous and focused organizations making a significant difference to attack this global issue head-on.