webdesigner, Author at Shared Hope International

On Tuesday, February 22, legal prostitution looked death in the face. On that day, Harry Reid, US senator of Nevada, spoke to Nevada state legislature about education, clean energy, term limits, and outlawing prostitution. Although this final subject only amounted to about 6.5% of hisentire speech, it exploded into news coverage, chit-chat, the blogosphere, and heated debate across the country. While Sen. Reid was concerned that this portion of his speech elicited so much attention, he deserves public support for the strong stance he took, stating that “the time has come for us to outlaw prostitution.”

Why would Sen. Reid risk saying such a bold statement? He insisted it was because he wanted to “prove that we’re [Nevada is] a 21st-century state” revealing that he believes legal prostitution mars the reputation of Nevada. He followed with an anecdote about meeting a company who chooses not to move to Nevada over this very concern. Sen. Reid reasoned, “Nevada needs to be known as the first place for innovation and investment – not as the last place where prostitution is still legal.”

Sen. Harry Reid is correct. Legal prostitution does give Nevada a bad name, but that is not the only effect this industry has had on its state. According to Shared Hope International’sresearch, Las Vegas, only 60 miles from a legal brothel establishment, is a major destination for trafficked children in the United States. But how do we know that legal prostitution actually encourages illegal human trafficking? The truth is that Las Vegas has become America’s capitol for prostitution and trafficking. This is supported by the fact that while brothels do not set up shop in the city, they and other escort services pay hefty fees to advertise in Las Vegas, creating a culture that accepts and supports the sex trade, and ultimately paves the way for illegal activity. Vegas residents and tourists are exposed to legal prostitution through advertisements and encouraged to participate in the industry. As a result, demand for commercial sex increases in high population areas. Where there is demand, there is supply.

In response to Sen. Harry Reid’s comments on outlawing prostitution, many brothel owners have either reacted in anger—like Dennis Hof who was interviewed by CNN—or dismissed the position entirely in hopes that Reid’s words will not inspire Nevada residents and legislators to institute a ban on prostitution. Lance Gilman, owner of the Wild Horse and Mustang Ranch brothels in Storey County said, “It is one thing for Harry Reid to say we ought to outlaw brothels. It is quite another for our Legislature to decide to take up a bill. If that happens then it is a whole different scenario.” Lance Gilman bluffs that he feels no threat.

Mr. Gilman created the opportunity for us to prove him wrong. And now we hold the power to perpetuate change and make a difference. Reid took the first step in sparking discussion, and we the people can unite taking the next step by creating legislation that outlaws prostitution in America for good. Spread the news to those in Nevada. Tell them to pick up their pens and write their legislators about the issue at hand. If lawmakers are ever going to make change, they’ll do it by the sheer will and determination of their constituents.

Two thousand, two thousand, do I hear two thousand? Sold! One, Russian, obedient bride to the man in the black hat.

Forget the nice dinner, awkward small talk, dropping her off at the end of the night and hoping for a call later. That’s too old fashion. Most are looking for the next new thing, whether it is technology, fashion, or even dating. The University of Alabama Health Sciences would argue that dating has evolved from colonial era courtships to modern day online matchmaking. Sites like Match.com and eHarmony boast successful industry records as online dating receives greater acclaim as an acceptable dating norm. A research article published by PR Newswire states “Recent studies of more than 11,000 people revealed that one in six marriages are now between people who met through an online dating site.” Moreover, 1 in 5 committed relationships were initiated through online dating sites and the same odds apply to number of singles who have taken advantage of these sites. These statistics show the achievements of online dating and why it is the third most popular way to meet people.

However, with every triumph there is failure. In this case, that failure is seen in the often oppressive and exploitative practice of mail order brides.

Google produced 1,740,000 results for the term “mail order bride” – many advertising the perfect lifetime servant, a future wife, and of course fast service. The normal profile of a mail order bride is an Asian, Eastern-European, or Latin American female motivated by social and economic reasons, and sometimes by her family. The typical profile of the buyeris a western, educated, and financially stable male.

Bloomberg Businessweek published an article on the subject, and according to the non-profit organization, Tahirih Justice Center, the number of mail order marriages doubled between 1999 and 2007 in the U.S. In 2010, this market reeled in more than $2 million in revenue. Business seems to be booming in this industry; however, organizations such as the National Human Trafficking Resource Center argue that it’s not so different from human trafficking.

Sonia Ossorio, the executive director of the NYC chapter of the National Organization for Women, cites it as a softer version of human trafficking, attracting customers who are looking for a “docile and obedient” woman. One mail order bride company, Hand-in-Hand, proudly markets its women as “unspoiled by feminism.”

Human Trafficking.org posted a 2006 study by Jen Marchbank at Simon Fraser University that exposed a hefty number of the mail order brides coming to Canada lack knowledge of their rights and face immense peril of being exploited. In 2009, Change.org also proclaimed that mail order brides are susceptible to human trafficking, exploitation, abuse, rape, and domestic violence.

Though certain countries have legislation regulating this practice, such laws are often limited and not well enforced. This leaves thousands of women vulnerable to be exploited by illegal marriage brokers who trade their freedom for cash.

Perhaps the notion of convenience should be left out of the love equation.

Sen. Reid Stirs Up More than a Little Dust

Here Comes the Bride….Russian, Obedient, and Young…All Dressed in White