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This article relates to Sold
Each year about 12,000 Nepali
girls are sold by their
families, intentionally or
unwittingly, into a life of
sexual slavery in the brothels
of India.
Worldwide, the US State
Department estimates that nearly
half a million children are
trafficked into the sex trade
annually.
Lakshmi was sold by her
stepfather to the intermediary
for 800 Nepalese Rupees - less
than $11.
McCormick suggests ways
teenagers (and adults) can help:
Educate yourself by visiting
her
website (specifically the
"For Teachers" and "Links"
sections), then work to raise
awareness among your friends and
family members, your church or
school. Write an essay for your
school paper or a letter to your
local paper or your congressman.
Organize a student group at your
school, then show a film about
trafficking, invite a speaker,
and raise or donate money. The
cost of living in countries
where trafficking takes place is
very low; one week's allowance,
for instance, could go a long
way toward providing medicine,
toys or books for the children
of the red-light district, or
could contribute to the work of
organizations that stop
trafficking and provide safety
for victims.
"Let us remember: what hurts the victim most is not the cruelty of the oppressor, but the silence of the bystander." - Eli Weisel.
Also of
interest for adults:
A Crime So Monstrous.
A Letter
Inspired in part by Sold, in 2007 a BookBrowse member went to visit the
Apne-Aap
center in Koltata. Apne Aap (which means self-help in Hindi) is a
community-based initiative that began in the red light area of Mumbai in 1998.
On her return, she sent a letter to the many friends and family who gave her
contributions to take with her.
Click here to read her letter.
This "beyond the book article" relates to Sold. It originally ran in October 2006 and has been updated for the April 2008 paperback edition. Go to magazine.
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