Transnational Feminism and Sex Trafficking

Damsels, monsters, and superheroes: Exploring the metanarrative of sex trafficking

“…She was lured, beaten, and threatened into street prostitution by her boyfriend while on holiday abroad, but her parents helped her to escape. The second book is also a so-called ‘true story’, written by undercover criminal investigator and New Zealander Daniel Walker (2011): God in a Brothel: An Undercover Journey into Sex Trafficking and Rescue . Walker’s book is a rescue narrative, focusing on the many undercover rescue missions conducted by the author during 4 years in more than a dozen countries, mainly in Southeast Asia.…”

“…She could not hide her tears as she lamented her plight and the very different dreams her mother had held for her future once they had arrived in the United States. ( God in a Brothel by Walker, 2011: 108–109)…”

“…Now, I would like to plunge deeper into the start of these stories, to better understand their intentions. When it comes to non-Western sex trafficked girls (‘brown girls’ and ‘Natashas’ from the former Soviet bloc), their destinies are sealed by their poverty, just like Emily in God in a Brothel (Walker, 2011). Poverty drives them, or their parents, to seek a better future.…”

Trauma practice: Historical overview.

“…Difficulties commonly associated with exposure to traumatic events include the following: PTSD, complex PTSD, major depression, dissociative disorders, substance abuse disorders, borderline personality disorder, traumatic brain injuries, psychosis, chronic highly elevated stress, concentration and memory disorders, poor emotional regulation, addictive and compulsive behaviors, mistrust, social isolation, self-blame, and low self-esteem (Walker & Gaviria, 2016). It is important to assess pretrauma functioning to compare with trauma exposure and posttrauma functioning, taking into consideration premorbid or comorbid factors and secondary gains to properly assess the trauma response of any particular individual and then, develop a treatment plan, negotiating goals with the client, and modifying the plan as treatment progresses.…”