Bibliography

I chose to read two books. The first book I read was The Road to Lost Innocence. It told the story of Solmay Mam, a Cambodian girl who was kidnapped and sold into prostitution at an extremely young age. She then went on to escape from her oppressors, and begin a very successful foundation to help girls who were in similar situations to herself. It opened my eyes immensely to the world of sex trafficking and its severity. Prior to reading this book, I knew very little about the industry. After reading this, I felt like I had a pretty good idea of the general problems and endless cycles associated with sex trafficking.

The second book I am reading is Half the Sky. It is about a man who travels to various countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, and India to experience sex trafficking first hand. He meets dozens of women who are involved in the industry, and shares their inspirational stories. A large portion of his book is also disecting and explaining in great detail why human sex trafficking happens, why it isn't stopped, and what can be done to stop it. He also talks a lot about the governments in such countries, who prove to be the root of the problem. This is the exact topic I want to write my paper on, so the book could not be more perfect.

For my other two sources, I am choosing to watch two movies. The first is a documentary film called The Day My God Died and "puts a human face on this most inhuman of contemporary issues." It takes the viewer into a handful of countries, "into the shadowy, multi-billion dollar world of sex trafficking." I think it will be very, very educational for me. I have only read about the horrors, but have not seen any images or videos of them. I don't know what the brothels look like, or the exact conditions the girls are kept in. I feel like it will definitely give the issue more meaning to me when I can see actual girls and brothels, instead of just imagining them in my mind. The next movie I am watching is entitled Red Light. It "focuses on the personal stories of young Cambodian victims and two remarkable advocates for change: grass-roots activist Somaly Mam and politician Mu Sochua. REDLIGHT follows the plight of several current and former child sex slaves." Watching this movie will also help bring personal meaning to the cause for me. I read Somaly Mam's story, and I think watching her talk about her experiences will really bring the story full circle for me. I think seeing these powerful women will have a profound effect on me and my view of the issue. Things always touch me more deeply when they unfold in front of my eyes.