The recent case of Shaniya Davis brought to light the problem of sexual slavery in this country. Headlines, stories and TV broadcasts all talked about the horrors of a mother who sold her 5-year-old into sexual slavery. But, may I ask….
Why aren’t we also talking about the demand side of sexual slavery? Why aren’t we talking about the rape of a 5-year-old child prior to her murder?
If we don’t talk about the demand for minors and adults in prostitution and slavery, we will never solve this problem.
I wanted to thank you for getting this story out and let you know about a petition that one of our bloggers started that follows up on Shaniya’s tragic death:
http://www.change.org/actions/view/tell_choice_hotels_to_prevent_child_prostitution_in_their_hotels
Choice Hotels are the owners of the Comfort Inn where Shaniya was sold for sex. They are also one of a number of hotel chains that have not signed the ECPAT Code of Conduct, a commitment to preventing child sex trafficking, which disproportionally affects minority children in America.
Signed it! Thanks for informing me! MissJ
The focus in this case was the “monster” mother, combined with father exaltation. No one really gave a shit about this child.
[...] The ugly side of supply & demand [...]