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In Marta Santos Pais’ article “The Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography” she states that in order for children to be fully protected all countries must be on board with the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child and must ratify (Pais, 2010). The United States is a very large and powerful country and not ratifying it sends a very negative message to surrounding countries. In 1996, Sweden hosted First World Congress against the Sexual Exploitation of Children to discuss the legal obligations that come with ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). In 2001 Japan hosted and in 2008 the event was hosted by Brazil. The United States attended all three events however, in 2014, the have still not ratified the CRC (Pais, 2010, p.553). In May 2002, the CRC adopted Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography which provided more detail on the need to protect children from being sexually exploited (Pais, 2010, p.559). The article goes on to explain that 73 million young boys and girls are victims of sexual violence, including but not limited to forced marriage, rape, and sex trafficking. Children who come from low socio-economic status are at greater risk to become victims of sex trafficking because they do not have information on preventatives and resources for help(Pais, 2010, p.557).
Anne O’Reilley also states that poverty may be one of the causes of sexual exploitation of children in her article “Child: The Next Push for Human Rights” (O'Reilley, 1993). O’Reilley also explains that traffickers seek children because they are said to be “clean virgins” meaning not only are they virgins but they do not have any STDs and are worth more money than adults (O'Reilley, para. 9). Lloyd says that poverty is the root issue and suggests in the article that it might be more important for the issues of poverty to be addressed before and in order to solve the issue of child sexploitation (O'Reilley, para. 14).
Anne O’Reilley also states that poverty may be one of the causes of sexual exploitation of children in her article “Child: The Next Push for Human Rights” (O'Reilley, 1993). O’Reilley also explains that traffickers seek children because they are said to be “clean virgins” meaning not only are they virgins but they do not have any STDs and are worth more money than adults (O'Reilley, para. 9). Lloyd says that poverty is the root issue and suggests in the article that it might be more important for the issues of poverty to be addressed before and in order to solve the issue of child sexploitation (O'Reilley, para. 14).
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Most of these articles blame the governments for the lack of regulation and that governments are at fault for the continuing existence of sex trafficking of children however in “Trafficking in Human Beings: Training and Services Among US Law Enforcement Agencies” by Deborah G. Wilson, William F. Walsh and Sherilyn Kleuber says that the issue is the local law enforcement (Wilson, Walsh, & Kleuber, 2006). They say that local law enforcement come into contact with sex trafficking much more regularly than the government does therefore they must be better trained on handling the issue and more aware of sex trafficking to ensure the problem does not worsen (Wilson, Walsh, & Kleuber, 2006, p. 150) The authors of the article conducted a study through a survey to see if police departments believed sex trafficking was a current problem, if it would become a problem in the future, where sex trafficking was mainly a problem, and who should be responsible for handling sex trafficking. In the survey results, they found that 46% found it a problem in their region, 40% believed it was an issue in the state their department is located, 35% believed it was a problem in their jurisdiction, however only 12% thought it was their responsibility to handle the problem (Wilson, Walsh, & Kleuber, 2006, p. 153). This shows that even the law enforcement do not see sex trafficking as a real issue here in America but it is and requires citizens attention but most importantly the law enforcement because they are the ones who can help fix the problem.
In the article “The U.S. and the International Children's Rights Crusade: Leader or Laggard?” by Mary Ann Mason, she talks about how US has given very little attention to children’s rights and the rights of children are not a priority when creating laws (Mason, 2005). Mason talks about how since World War II the United States has attempted to create laws protecting children but the laws protecting adults have taken priority over children (Mason, 2005, p.995). The United States however has still failed to ratify the CRC although it is a leading country it is falling laggard in the department of children’s rights.
In all the articles above it is clear that a main issue in the discussion of child sex trafficking is the possibility that poverty is a main factor. In the documentary “Born into Brothels” suggests that poverty could be a factor because the children are brought up in slum-like environments (Briski & Kauffman, 2004). Also who is in charge of handling the issue is another question, should the United Nations be in charge of enforcing their laws or should those who ratified be in charge of ensuring the laws are enforced. I will analyze the Born into Brothels in further detail in my rhetorical analysis.
In all the articles above it is clear that a main issue in the discussion of child sex trafficking is the possibility that poverty is a main factor. In the documentary “Born into Brothels” suggests that poverty could be a factor because the children are brought up in slum-like environments (Briski & Kauffman, 2004). Also who is in charge of handling the issue is another question, should the United Nations be in charge of enforcing their laws or should those who ratified be in charge of ensuring the laws are enforced. I will analyze the Born into Brothels in further detail in my rhetorical analysis.