The presence of underage children in the sex industry only appears to be increasing. With increased mobility allowing johns to travel vast distances in search of sex, the opportunities to make money off this has only grown over time. It is estimated that there are up to 10 million children being trafficked worldwide.
But numbers and laws designed to protect children don't tell a moving story. Here's a documentary that personalizes this problem by narrating the story of two underage girls in the Philippines and their cooperation with investigators to bring down bars that employ children.
There are many heroes in this story: the sisters, the Australian investigators, etc. But Fr. Shay Cullen needs special mention. In a church rocked by scores of cases of pedophilia over the last couple of decades, he's a rare positive force, working tirelessly to save children who have been forced into sex work. (Click here to listen to an interview that NPR did with him.)
The fact that child prostitution exists at all is hard to come to terms with. Who are these monsters who sleep with 12, 13 and 14 year old girls (and boys)? Calling them mentally ill is a cop-out. These predators fully aware of their actions and need to be held accountable wherever they may be.
If you're not moved by this documentary, you need to examine your humanity and your relationship with children in particular.
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