3

That was an interesting read. But with all my respect to the author, I couldn't avoid to feel annoyed with his general attitude and some of the comments.

I understand, that this was a quantitative study, with numbers, percents and general coldness to human emotion. Indeed, if the study is in use in governmental decision-making process it is more than appropriate to avoid "feelings" and cases, half-shadows and meanings. Despite that, naiveness which author expressed toward what was said by sex-workers got me fierce: when the woman is brought by her pimp or mommy, or interviewed in her "work-place", or contacted through agency - how can you really anticipate honest answers? All of the women were placed in rather suspicious surroundings of the interview: Chinese man with American passport, brought by authorized in her business person, asking very, very intimate questions. I doubt woman would be honest talking about her favorite food in this situation, not to say about potentially dangerous for her life and health theme such as illegal sex trade.

Another point is the countries where the research was conducted: I personally find it hard to imagine trafficked (in strict definition) women in the USA, because prosperity and perspectives, which can be offered by it are rather wide and promising, so that a lot of people want eventually come to America in search for better life. Same goes for rich South East Asian countries with developed and stable economies, Singapore or special regions like Hong Kong or Macau. But when you switch your attention to poor countries with little to offer - but with population in search for exotic pleasures - chance to discover trafficked sex workers grows considerably.

But what I found the most annoying feature in the book is the author's attitude: by the moment and interview goes to something more deep than the price of one job, he changes the theme right away. Crying women, gang-raped women, women repaying debts of their divorced husbands, unwanted women who should support the family that rejected their existence, women who should pay "separation fee" to their boyfriends who tricked them into sex work - all of it just goes unnoticed by author's comments. What isn't? The fact that they accepted the payment even though no sexual work was provided. Smiling faces when talking about clients - she must be not so upset by her work.

What I say, is that those interviews can provide the reader with much more information than if there is forced trafficking of Chinese women to the other countries. One just should remember that women are good actresses, and those who sell emotions and pleasure - are the best.