Sex At Any Cost: How Gender Inequality, Capitalism, And Pornography Are Driving A $99 Billion Industry

Author

Gina Vucci, Dominican University of CaliforniaFollow

Graduation Date

12-2019

Document Type

Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Humanities and Cultural Studies

Department or Program Chair

Chase Clow, PhD

First Reader

Mairi Pileggi, PhD

Abstract

There are more slaves today than at any other time in human history. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that there are more than 40 million slaves worldwide. This paper accompanies a 6-part webinar series of the same title that explores how gender inequality, capitalism, and pornography are driving a $99 billion illegal industry. The paper begins by defining what human trafficking is and includes both forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. Six primary forms of human trafficking are explored, including domestic servitude, bonded labor, child slavery, sex trafficking, and forced marriage. Next, the paper explores who the victims of trafficking are and where they are trafficked. The role of gender inequality is examined in-depth for greater insight into the vulnerability of women and girls—who make up the overwhelming majority of human trafficking victims worldwide. Women and girls are not inherently vulnerable, but made vulnerable through education, economic, and environmental injustice and systemic discrimination. The role of pornography is also explored in-depth and the link between men who buy sex, pornography, and forced prostitution is well established. A number of studies, and reports are included. Signs of human trafficking are detailed and resources for accessing support, information, and ways to get involved in anti-trafficking efforts are listed.