I am interested in this topic because I have seriously considered interning for a fight against sex trafficking organization called A21 by Christine Cain. This organization works to help girls escape the industry using federal forces in multiple countries and then transition them into their new lives. Although, in order to work in the shelters to help the girls who recently escaped slavery, I would have to at least 21 years old.  Truthfully, this research topic does not challenge my morals but supports my beliefs the further I research.  I believe there should be action taken to end human trafficking industry and prostitution should not be legalized.

I am qualified to write on this topic because I am both a citizen of the United States and a young woman.  There are many young girls being trafficked throughout the US and being forced into modern slavery.  Sexual abuse is a huge topic and girls my age have become very aware of its seriousness.  When I enrolled to attend USC, I was required to take an online course that explains exactly what consent is and how to protect yourself from predators.  I have experienced what society has to do to try to protect girls from things such as sexual abuse or sex trafficking.  

Personally I have never been a victim of sexual abuse or any form of slavery.  However, I know multiple girls that have been stripped of their rights through sexual abuse such as rape or molestation.  They were not sold for money to later be sexually abused but were often abused by people they knew.  This industry where men and women make a living off of destroying other people's lives is something that needs be put an end to.  I have first hand seen the affect sexual abuse can have on someone's life physically and mentally.  I cannot imagine the extent of emotional damage experienced by those taken away from their lives to be used against their will or even forced into prostitution.  My personal experience does not extend past consoling others who experienced these traumatizing events but it has allowed me to empathize with those who are forced into extreme conditions like human trafficking. As both a citizen of the United States and a young woman, I have been affected by the sex trafficking industry.  Throughout the US there have been many girls both taken away from their families and put into sex trafficking or even forced prostitution.  When entering into college I was required to take an online course that explained exactly what consent is and how to protect yourself from predators.  Girls do not walk alone at night for a reason.  Through experiences like these, I am qualified to write on a topic as serious as human trafficking.  

Melissa Ditmore wrote an article discussing the issue of prostitution versus human trafficking. In this article Ditmore stated her opposing argument that prostitution should become legalized.  She explained there are women whom voluntarily use their bodies in order to make money but often do so in unsafe environments.  She stated how without legalization, the potential for violence increases for these women and they don't have access to medical attention. However, people could make this same argument about drugs.  The government understands people within the US that will partake in drug use regardless of the law. People who seek out dealers to purchase drugs are not under police protection.  However, this does not mean the government should legalize drugs.  In both scenarios, people choose to partake in illegal acts with the knowledge they will not have immediate access to medical care and the police will not monitor the transaction. It would be considered crazy if suddenly heroine became legalized just because people will use it anyways.  The same thing should go for prostitution.  Prostitution has more negative effects than positive.  Ditmore also argued not legalizing prostitution "denies them their rights." Ditmore identified that there are women who are not under slavery but choose this lifestyle for themselves.  The major value was to allow everyone to have his or her own human rights and freedom to use their body however they choose.  Also within a safe environment that can be regulated by the government so these men and women are protected.  The article does not acknowledge the affect legalization has a human trafficking but what non-legalization has on those involved in prostitution. 

Dr. Melissa Ditmore holds credibility due to the fact she has a Ph.D. and is an author for sex workers project. She also is on board of the Global Network of Sex Work Projects and has written many articles discussing the difference between trafficking and prostitution.  However, he bias definitely holds with those involved in prostitution and voluntarily using their bodies for money.  She never once focuses on the other issue at hand which is the affect prostitution has on sex trafficking. Dr. Ditmore's bias is she is an obvious advocate for legalization of prostitution.  Ditmore acknowledges human trafficking is an issue but only cares about those who are choosing to use their bodies for money. Therefore, she is closed off to any ideas about negative affects of legalization of prostitution has on the human trafficking industry.

Annie Lobert was a woman who escaped the sex trafficking industry and explained her ten-year lone experience being a victim of this industry in an article on Fox News.  Annie explained her experiences such as seeing 10-30 men a night being forced to give "100%" of her earnings to her "pimp." Annie's focus when explaining her personal experience was to not only spread awareness of this issue but to inspire others to take action.  Her major value was to help women to get out of the sex trafficking industry and into better lives. She also had written a book on this called "Fallen, Out of the Sex Industry and into the Arms of the Savior."  This could have been an interest of hers as well to get her book more publicity. 

 Annie Lobert had credibility since she personally experienced being a victim of the sex trafficking business.  Her bias definitely would be her personal religious standpoint and morals.  Also being someone who no longer wanted to be affiliated with prostitution she had biased against it.

The article "Study Sheds Light on Sex Trafficking in Singapore," explained the correlation between prostitution and the sex trafficking industry in Singapore.  Many Philippines and Indonesian women were lured into Singapore through promises of jobs only to have their passports withheld and forced into prostitution.  The article explained a study done where 87 women who were tricked into coming to Singapore were interviewed. In Singapore prostitution has been legalized, making difficult to recognize whether women were being trafficked or voluntarily participating in prostitution.  Traffickers choose countries similar to Singapore where it is easier to do their work without being noticed.

Women whom are trafficked go unnoticed due to legalization of prostitution and that was the major value of this article.  The authors of this article were writers for a very credible Singapore news website. This is credible because these were people living within the country that the issue came up in.  Their biased would be the fact they are not advocating for those who legally practice prostitution voluntarily.

The research question is arguable because both sides of the argument are advocating for people's rights.  There are those who argue for the rights of men and women to use their bodies in order to make money.  On the contrary, there are those who notice the increase in trafficking within countries that legalize prostitution.  Therefore some people fight to help the men and women forced to use their bodies so others can make a profit.  I acknowledge many of the different perspectives and respect the opinions of those who fight for legalizing prostitution.  However, this increases slavery for many people all over and I do not understand justifying that issue.  I could work towards not only researching how prostitution affects sex trafficking but also any other outside influence affect the industry.

