PBS Broadcast -- 07 February 2006 -- Frontline -- Human Trafficking

[Journeyman]

Did anybody else see the February 7th broadcast of the Frontline show on PBS regarding Human Trafficking -- with the focus on Ukraine (and Odessa, in particular)?  

Not much in the way of new news in the program, but still horrific stuff.

We've all been hearing about this problem for years here in the West.  But, I must ask, how is it possible that the whole of Ukraine and all the potential victims there cannot seem to steer clear of being tricked into sexual slavery?  

Even with all the governments over there being totally hypocritical about the problem, can't the individuals and families fend for themselves with disseminating the necessary information?  Yes, a number of FSU ladies do travel to Turkey, Italy, Cyprus, Isreal, etc., fully intending to practice prostitution for a period of time (either a short trip, or for a longer stay), but they are still easily snatched up by criminals and subjected to the same torture as the young village girls who think they are going to become well-paid house-maids for a few months.  

Quite a few ladies I know over there have told me that everyone of them in their large or small towns knows about how to trick Western guys into giving money and presents to them.  So, can't they also somehow all understand the risks to themselves of voluntarily setting foot, essentially unaccompanied, in another country like Turkey?  Yes, we all understand the lure of money.  However, knowing the risks, wouldn't it be better for them to at least attempt to endure similar hardships in their own country (even with its own rampant corruption and criminality).  At least they'd know the language, and can possibly have a better chance of protecting themselves (at least, a little better).  

This Frontline program also presented a segment on a mother who actually TOLD her daughter to travel to Turkey (alone) to make money in menial jobs for the family.  After learning of the fate of the daughter (sexual slavery), she pleaded ignorance about the potential risk.  With the ways that women communicate with each other over there -- intensive networking -- and with all the informal support systems among women there -- can't they at least inform themselves regarding these potential pitfalls?

Really, I don't want to call these women ignorant or stupid, but I just can't understand how this same thing can go on year after horrific year -- without the entire Ukrainian and Russian sisterhood getting out warnings to each girl at risk.

Comments, anybody?

Journeyman

[Admin]

I didn't see it - but here is a link to the PBS page where the story is described - and upcoming programming:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/slaves/

- Dan

[Albert]

I saw the program.  With all such programs, it is well to keep in mind that TV documentaries (even on PBS) are subject to much hype and stretching of truth.

Remember the one guy did mention that he thought 70% of the gals did know what they were going for; 20% thought they were going to be only exotic dancers; and only 10% were mostly clueless.  And remember that the one girl featured actually returned to Turkey later on her own to prostitute some more to earn money for the family.

So even though the story looked pretty bleak and it was easy to feel for the gals and fall for the story line completely, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.  Even the story re the guy who went to Antalya to find retrieve his wife had some hokey logic.  After the pimp's wife met him at McDonalds, why didn't the large crew that was secretly filming the meeting simply follow (secretly) the wife after the meeting.  With good detective procedures and trading off the tailers to avoid detection by her, she would have eventually led them back to her home.  Or bump into her in the crowded mall and pin a homing device on her, etc.

Funny part of show was where they kept filming the real lookers in Odesa (just typical young women walking in minis with their friends), but when they got to the gals that made the trip to Turkey, they were not at all good looking.

[Muj]

Albert,

You provide the stats as quoted by that trafficker.  Even if 70% know they travel to Turkey to  prostitute, the remaining 30% are tricked into a terrible situation.  Also, the women tricked are young, desparate, and from parts of the country unaware of the dangers.  I wonder also why the husband from Odessa hadn't hired a detective.  However, his attempt in Turkish police help ended in a corrupt policeman aiding the pimp.  So the husband probably lacks confidence of help from Turkish.  

Now I understand that a smart woman of Odessa shows a healthy wariness for Turkish men.

 

[Zhena]

Albert,

You provide the stats as quoted by that trafficker.  Even if 70% know they travel to Turkey to  prostitute, the remaining 30% are tricked into a terrible situation.  Also, the women tricked are young, desparate, and from parts of the country unaware of the dangers.  I wonder also why the husband from Odessa hadn't hired a detective.  However, his attempt in Turkish police help ended in a corrupt policeman aiding the pimp.  So the husband probably lacks confidence of help from Turkish.  

Now I understand that a smart woman of Odessa shows a healthy wariness for Turkish men.

 

A truth is that most of turkish men have a disrespect to the european women,and especially,russian. I guess alot of them (rus women) go to Turkey to do prostitution. Yes ,thats true. Also some part of them are cheated and their documents taken-so they must to submiss and do the forced job. Also,the turkish men are famous cheaters:) Maybe some of them are decent but I didnt meet any:? But why only turks-all men from muslim countries have that disrespection to christian women. Only in Turkey this industry is most improved,as thats very easy to enter Turkey...

[tim 360]

Correct Afiancee,  from my experience with turks.  However this biz is not relegated to Turkey alone,  although on this show it was the focus.  Traffiking is well and alive and flourishing throughout western Europe and southeast Asia and the middle east.  Hiafa is also a major destination,  as well as the USA.  Anywhere there is a buck to be made in the sex trade...you will find girls from the FSU hoodwinked into a supposedly better job only to find they have become a sex slave,  not a prostitute who at least keeps some or all of the $$$.

[Oosik]

This seems to happen the most in places where prostitution is legal. The countries mentioned in europe all seem to have it legalized.

If I was that dude, when I met the chick at the mall, I would have made sure that I had her in MY control when we left. She would be on the phone begging her husband to turn my wife over, before I cut anything else off of her. He was good for what he tried to do, but I'm crazier. I'd probably go crazy on him, and anyone involved. Preferably crazy in a way that I don't get caught.

I went to the brothels in the Orient when I was a young sailor. But I've felt bad about it, like I helped victimize the girls.

But the funny thing is, when I told my fiance that last summer in Russia I had a russian buddy trying to get me laid by hookers and I refused, she looked at me with a concerned look and asked why I didn't, she said "But men need it".

Different attitude, for sure. But it will be nice to have a wife who is so worried about keeping my pipes clean.

[ronin308]

Yeah, the problem isn't just with Muslims or European countries where it is "semi" legal (think in terms of Nevada where it is legal in certain houses but if you pick up a hooker on the Strip it's like picking her up on Hollywood Blvd.)  You will also find a good portion of these girls make up the prostitute population in Isreal and have been seen in increasing numbers here in the US as well.

As to why it isn't talked about think of it this way, if you your daughter ended up a prostitute in Turkey would you really want to talk about it?  It's similiar to why you find many Ukrainian prostitutes in Russia and Russian prostitutes in Ukraine.  Just like with abuse cases here in the US where it might take years before being reported, especially if the person is "moral".

I do see that it is changing and more women are becoming aware of it, so it becomes harder to shanghai complete innocents but some that delude themselves into thinking it could be a better life (think of the movie Pretty Woman).

[Muj]

Apparently the women are less innocent of prostituting in Turkey then Frontline indicates.  Ronin, you raise an interesting point on the women prostituting outside their home country.  As I read an article a while back cautioning men that  women living outside their home town and showing higher then expected income level may be involved in a scam or even prostitution. 

[Todd]

I found the frontline pretty good, but I actually found reading more  about it on the website to be just as illuminating.  I'm not sure  if I'm the only one, but I generally find frontline to be a very  enjoyable program and would recommend it to others.

[Muj]

I find Frontline provides informative news programs also and recommend the broadcast in discussion to anyone.  However, the viewpoint that these women are innocently traveling to Turkey to work in a shop appears not true.   Also most if not all women know of the sex trade in Turkey.  The biggest complaint by the women being that they're not paid enough or not at all.    

[Oosik]

I asked my fiance about it, she said most women know it is about prostitution, but not all. As far as I am concerned, kidnapping and rape should be a death penalty case, so if even one girl was stupid/naieve enough to think that the jobs were legitimate, the pimp ought to be put in the chair..