Some stories never die. Human trafficking, a multibillion dollar a year global industry, seems to be one of them. In recent years, there has been a huge advocacy effort that has raised awareness on the issue, but still the trade of people as goods persists in every corner of the world.
One of the most brutal forms of this trade is sex trafficking. The psychological trauma and physical wounds that this form of human trafficking gives its victims often last a lifetime. The real cost of this trade is not normally seen on the front pages of newspapers, because it is too graphic and makes too many people uncomfortable. But as those who have survived the ordeal speak out, it is important that we listen to what they have to say in order to find a better way to stop this practice from happening in our societies.
The following video was recorded last November at the TEDIndia 2009 conference. Sunitha Krishnan, who is a survivor of rape herself, co-founded Prajwala, an organization in India that aims to rescue and rehabilitate victims of sex trafficking and ultimately end the trade altogether. Although the video includes some graphic photos and accounts of abuse, it is important to listen if we are ever to end this trade.
