The International sex trade is extremely widespread. It has grown to epidemic proportions around the world and is only getting worse. ADRA has chosen a few strategic locations around the globe to be involved on the front lines of the International sex trade involving women and children.
How Do These Girls End Up In the International Sex Trade
Young women move to a major city because of lack of work, goods, or a decent quality of life in the provinces or villages of their countries. They go to the cities, not knowing anyone, or anything about a big city or how to assimilate into it. These people cannot make a living. When they moved to the city, they had no idea of the costs of living in a major city, and they have no way to support themselves. Or their families send them to the city or into the care of "an agent" who promises work for them so that they can earn money to send home to their family.
They end up working jobs that force them to work long hours for very little pay in a manufacturing plant, clothing factory, or similar employment. After struggling in these conditions, they find themselves approached by someone promising them an easier job, with more money and far less hours. To the unsuspecting person, it sounds like a good opportunity. They aren't even aware something like sex trafficking or an International sex trade even exists. When they accept the opportunity, they are put into the International sex trade. At first, the individuals are told they will receive money for their new job, but often, they instead receive nothing. They are forced into the sex trade and become slaves of it. In many of these countries, the government does little to stop the International sex trade. Often, they feel powerless to do anything about it.
ADRA Programs Helping Restore Lives Redeemed from the International Sex Trade
One program ADRA has in place helps restore lives in Thailand. Some of the girls in the sex trade live in horrendous conditions. All day long, they are kept in an 8 x 8 room with no windows. They never see daylight. In that room, they have a bed and are expected to entertain men all night and all day, without a break. They usually contract AIDS from the sexual contacts. After about 3 or 4 years of living like this, they are thrown out into the street.
ADRA works with the government and often parents. We rescue girls out of the International sex trade. These girls are taken to the ADRA girl's home, which is very private. Very few visitors are ever allowed into the home. We bring these girls back to what a normal life looks like. They sleep at night, bath, get 3 meals a day, and go to school. Once they know how to read and write, we teach them a life skill such as tailoring, cosmetology, accounting, etc. Some of the girls come into the home at 12 years old. They graduate at 18. The staff at the home helps them learn how to interact with the business community, how to set up a savings account, go on a job interview, etc. ADRA does everything possible to re-direct their lives into something positive.
The girl's home in Thailand is just one example of how ADRA is working to bring girls out of the International sex trade. Programs like these, and those in Cambodia, India, and Nepal are funded through private donations. Most governments do not financially support endeavors like this. That is why your involvement is so critical and can truly make a life-changing difference in many of these girls' lives. Help ADRA save these girls and young women.
