New Graphic Novel Addresses Human Trafficking

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/17/human-trafficking-california-_n_2150518.html

     After reading Somaly Mam's book so far this week, I read up more on human trafficking throughout the web. I came across this article which speaks of General Kamala Harris vow to crack down even more on sex trafficking as well as forced labor in California. California is one of the nation's top four destination states for trafficking, which is a global industry reeling in over $32 billion a year. The board of law makers are attempting to strengthen the training so investigators and law enforcement are better equipped to spot victims. California passed Proposition 35 in which people who support human trafficking will pay the highest penalties possible. The number of victims identified has tripled in the last two years, but due to the awfully large number of people currently in these situations it's not good enough. Of those, 72% have been born in the United States. A substantial amount of foreigners would be in California due to it's closeness to other nations in the world.
     And in this day and age, people are able to lure other's in of all ages from their homes using the Internet by promising better lives and great pay, when really they are getting into something the complete opposite. How unsurprising that horrible people are using social media to recruit. Because of the ever so progressing form of trafficking, new ways of spreading awareness has to make its way. A local writer and illustrator have written a graphic novel that releases next year that brings attention to human trafficking. The video about it is at the bottom of the provided link. Addressing this dark world of modern day slavery and tapping into a newer demographic through this comic book called Home of the Brave taking place in a "third world" America, could go a long way. It makes me relieved that better awareness of the issue is in the future.
     Though Somaly Mam's book is just an account of the slavery in Cambodia, broken women of all ages are everywhere in the world, not to mention the United States. In the article, a victim of trafficking in L.A states, "My message for the victim out there is don't be afraid to come out," she said. "There's still hope." Though I do like the message, there are people in places of the world that are even more under the gun. Like Sry Roat from The Road of Lost Innocence. When she wanted to escape she asked a client for help but this man knew Li, whom looked over her. He tied her arms and held a pistol to the side of her head and shot her brains out. So, though in an ideal world it's best to seek help, I think part of the awareness in human trafficking is that it's not so simple to be able to reach out to the world. In Cambodia, this was extremely hard for Somaly because the lack of communication in Cambodian culture. So far this book has been disgusting to read because of the hyperactive sex drives in every single man. Literally, every man in this book can not help but rape. It almost seems rape is worked into the culture; and it baffles me wondering how many other nations have or had a similar outlook. While reading the book, I long for Somaly to meet someone who will not deceive her, and beat and rape her (even the police), but find her to be a beautiful human being. 

"With more than 20 million victims of human trafficking around the world, we've got a lot more to do." -President Barack Obama