ESTN Library Spotlight - "The New Slavery"

By Clarice Grooms, ESTN Librarian

VIDEO:   The New Slavery

PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY:  Espoir Diffusion & Philippe Decourroux

According to this documentary, in the past ten years over 30,000 young women and children have disappeared from Moldova without a trace, most ending up as slaves to sex trafficking. Orphans are especially vulnerable to sex trafficking due to lack of ability for government institutions to provide for their needs.

Tatianna, from Moldova tells of her horrific treatment when she was kidnapped and sold to a trafficker. Sold by her parents for land in Nigeria, Gloria became pregnant, shamed by her community, and trapped by fear of her exploiter. This documentary tells the stories of such victims, that no one may be able to say they did not know.

Prostitution, it is commonly said, is one of the oldest professions.  Christian, advocate and Swiss singer-songwriter and musician, Philippe Decourroux, declares prostitution is not a job; it is born out of desperation from poverty for some and is not a choice at all for others.  The strong overpower the weak, the rich enslave the poor and the uneducated are manipulated.  Often the price the victim pays is death at the hands of the trafficker.

But for those thinking this is not a happy ending, take heart - there is always someone willing and able to help.