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Esclavas del poder
"Lydia Cacho es un símbolo del periodismo valiente. Ella lleva ya unos cuantos años desafiando la tradición de impunidad y demostrando que los medios de comunicación pueden no ser miedos de comunicación. Este nuevo libro culmina sus años de trabajo en la denuncia de las sistemáticas violaciones sexuales de niños y mujeres, y de la prostitución de niños y mujeres que constituye la más lucrativa esclavitud de nuestro tiempo, aunque no se llame así. Y Lydia llega más allá de las fronteras de México. Ataviada con disfraces diversos, viaja desde los bajos fondos mexicanos de la Merced hasta los centros nocturnos y los prostíbulos de Japón, pasando por muchos otros nudos de la inmensa telaraña de mafiosos, empresarios, policías, jueces y políticos que manejan el negocio en el mundo. Éstas no son páginas neutrales. La autora no toma la distancia exigida a los trabajos de investigación académica. Lydia escucha, para que sean escuchadas, las voces de las víctimas, las vidas rotas, y acusa a quienes ejercen la forma más abyecta del derecho de propiedad, hombres dueños de mujeres, adultos dueños de niños: esos supermachos que humillando a los más débiles manifiestan su despreciable poder." Eduardo Galeano
ENGLISH DESCRIPTION A journey inside the world of trafficking women and children, told through emotional and heartwrenching stories, and a denunciation of the mafias as well as the governments and institutions that cover it up. Through these specific cases—these moving stories—the author follows a line of investigation to arrive at the human trafficking mafias, from Mexico to Kyrgyzstan, passing through Malaysia, Japan, Myanmar, and other parts of the world. Lydia Cacho leads the reader by the hand through an emotional journey in which we hear the voices of the victims, and at the same time she exposes the public servants dedicated to protecting these mafias. Slaves of Power is a global map of human trafficking.
ENGLISH DESCRIPTION A journey inside the world of trafficking women and children, told through emotional and heartwrenching stories, and a denunciation of the mafias as well as the governments and institutions that cover it up. Through these specific cases—these moving stories—the author follows a line of investigation to arrive at the human trafficking mafias, from Mexico to Kyrgyzstan, passing through Malaysia, Japan, Myanmar, and other parts of the world. Lydia Cacho leads the reader by the hand through an emotional journey in which we hear the voices of the victims, and at the same time she exposes the public servants dedicated to protecting these mafias. Slaves of Power is a global map of human trafficking.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
131 people are currently reading
2559 people want to read
About the author
Lydia Cacho
41 books315 followersLydia Cacho was born in Mexico City in 1963 to a French mother and a Mexican father. She settled in Cancún, Mexico in 1985, where she began working at the newspaper Novedades de Cancún. Cacho speaks Spanish, French, Portuguese and English.
She is an award-winning Mexican journalist, author, feminist, and human rights activist who has published hundreds of news articles, a poetry book, a novel, collections of essays on human rights and other nonfiction works. She has made it her life’s work to investigate sexual slavery. For her work she has been kidnapped, raped, tortured and been the target of death threats.
A fearless and courageous defender of the rights of women and children in Mexico, Cacho routinely risks her life to shelter women from abuse and challenge powerful government and business leaders who profit from child prostitution and pornography. Cacho is the founder of Ciam Cancún, a shelter for battered women and children. Her work with women and children in Mexico has been extremely effective in terms of rescue and rehabilitation of the countless individuals who seek assistance from the shelter.
She was the first woman to bring a case before Mexico’s Supreme Court following her imprisonment on defamation charges after the publication of her book, Demons of Eden, in which she investigates child sexual abuse and pedophilia rings. Amnesty International has recognised her work.
She is an award-winning Mexican journalist, author, feminist, and human rights activist who has published hundreds of news articles, a poetry book, a novel, collections of essays on human rights and other nonfiction works. She has made it her life’s work to investigate sexual slavery. For her work she has been kidnapped, raped, tortured and been the target of death threats.
A fearless and courageous defender of the rights of women and children in Mexico, Cacho routinely risks her life to shelter women from abuse and challenge powerful government and business leaders who profit from child prostitution and pornography. Cacho is the founder of Ciam Cancún, a shelter for battered women and children. Her work with women and children in Mexico has been extremely effective in terms of rescue and rehabilitation of the countless individuals who seek assistance from the shelter.
She was the first woman to bring a case before Mexico’s Supreme Court following her imprisonment on defamation charges after the publication of her book, Demons of Eden, in which she investigates child sexual abuse and pedophilia rings. Amnesty International has recognised her work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
August 13, 2019
De una manera concreta y excepcional, Lydia Cacho hace un recuento por las ciudades / países más reconocidos en trata de personas. Escribe sobre las políticas públicas, cómo funciona el Estado, los tratantes, la situación geográfica y económica, pero sobre todo escribe sobre las historias de las sobrevivientes sin caer en el morbo o en el detalle que en otras investigaciones cae en lo pornográfico y revictimizante. Hace un trazo delicado pero sustancial. La investigación que por momentos puede parecer extenuante, Cacho logra utilizar las palabras adecuadas, la unión de frases y párrafos lo que hace que sea un texto directo, eso simplifica mucho la lectura. Aún así, hay muchos datos, nombres y experiencias.
Así como habla desde una perspectiva abolicionista, critica fuertemente a países como Suecia que aún cuando tienen políticas contra la trata adecuadas al abolicionismo, también son cómplices de lavado de dinero de comerciantes de mujeres que usan los bancos suecos para ocultar ingresos. Nadie queda fuera: abolicionistas, feministas que buscan la regularización, mujeres que están "bien" con ser trabajadoras sexuales, Madres que trabajan a sus hijas, familias enteras que se dedican a esto. Un libro para saber cómo es la esclavitud en este siglo: niñas que son abusadas, niños que terminan trabajando en fábricas de la forma más precaria, mujeres prostituidas, hombres que trabajan para el narco.
Un libro para saber cómo es la esclavitud en este siglo.
Diría yo que es un libro para hombres, un libro para que los hombres conozcan la realidad de miles, millones, de niñas y mujeres en el mundo. A ellos se los recomiendo porque sin cliente, no hay trata.
Así como habla desde una perspectiva abolicionista, critica fuertemente a países como Suecia que aún cuando tienen políticas contra la trata adecuadas al abolicionismo, también son cómplices de lavado de dinero de comerciantes de mujeres que usan los bancos suecos para ocultar ingresos. Nadie queda fuera: abolicionistas, feministas que buscan la regularización, mujeres que están "bien" con ser trabajadoras sexuales, Madres que trabajan a sus hijas, familias enteras que se dedican a esto. Un libro para saber cómo es la esclavitud en este siglo: niñas que son abusadas, niños que terminan trabajando en fábricas de la forma más precaria, mujeres prostituidas, hombres que trabajan para el narco.
Un libro para saber cómo es la esclavitud en este siglo.
Diría yo que es un libro para hombres, un libro para que los hombres conozcan la realidad de miles, millones, de niñas y mujeres en el mundo. A ellos se los recomiendo porque sin cliente, no hay trata.
December 19, 2019
"¿Hasta cuándo evolucionaremos? ¿Qué carajo le pasa a nuestra raza que resulta incapaz de usar su poder para aliviar el dolor?"
Lydia Cacho es una mujer muy valiente que se atrevió a conseguir pruebas, a costa de su integridad, de cosas que sabemos, pero que no se toman en cuenta en la agenda: La prostitución es un horrible negocio que genera mucho dinero, que es patrocinado y manejado no sólo por el crimen organizado, sino por los mismos gobernantes.
El leer los testimonios de las chicas es un trago amargo, no sólo por lo que viven, sino por la forma en que se ven después de que son liberadas, de cómo la gente las mira y las hace menos.
Lo mejor del libro es que la autora, además de hacer un recuento de sus investigaciones, tiene propuestas concretas para ayudar a las victimas e ir acabando con este asunto, además, da respuesta a ciertas propuestas que se han dado
Lydia Cacho es una mujer muy valiente que se atrevió a conseguir pruebas, a costa de su integridad, de cosas que sabemos, pero que no se toman en cuenta en la agenda: La prostitución es un horrible negocio que genera mucho dinero, que es patrocinado y manejado no sólo por el crimen organizado, sino por los mismos gobernantes.
El leer los testimonios de las chicas es un trago amargo, no sólo por lo que viven, sino por la forma en que se ven después de que son liberadas, de cómo la gente las mira y las hace menos.
Lo mejor del libro es que la autora, además de hacer un recuento de sus investigaciones, tiene propuestas concretas para ayudar a las victimas e ir acabando con este asunto, además, da respuesta a ciertas propuestas que se han dado
October 29, 2017
1. This is a very difficult book for me to rate. It covers such a critical issue and I do not want a low rating from me or a lowered overall rating for the book to dissuade any potential reader who is unaware of this "hidden" problem from reading it. Let me say, first of all, that I do not doubt the existence of this problem, nor the dedication and steadfastness of the author in uncovering its extent and in trying to be the catalyst for meaningful change. Cacho was previously jailed and tortured in prison in Mexico after exposing a huge child pornography ring in her earlier book 'Demons of Eden', which I have not read (don't think there's an English translation).
2. As a work of investigate journalism however, this book frequently left me frustrated. There is a distinct lack of references and empirical data and as a result, oftentimes it is difficult to differentiate between evidence-based, logically argued fact and personal opinion. Granted, the murky and dangerous environment in which the subject matter thrives, involving crooked politicians, corrupt cops and violent underworld elements makes information gathering extremely difficult and even life threatening but I still wonder if more research could not have been done. The book itself is also not structured very well and often feels more like a mish-mash of personal observations. Given the gravity of the topic, I really do hope the author or even other journalists might contribute more to this body of work in the future.
3. Despite its shortcomings, if you are lucky enough to be living in a relatively well-off country and are blissfully unaware of the existence of such horrors, this book would still serve as a useful wake-up call. In one section of the book, Cacho describes her interview with a 9-year old Cambodian girl in a shelter who has been "rescued". Their conversation is carried out through an interpreter as the little girl speaks no English. While they are talking, she is watching her friends at the shelter play around in a small, plastic pool. Suddenly, she says to one of them "That's it, baby girl... Good job!" in what Cacho describes as a perfect American accent. Ponder on that sentence for a moment, if you will.
2. As a work of investigate journalism however, this book frequently left me frustrated. There is a distinct lack of references and empirical data and as a result, oftentimes it is difficult to differentiate between evidence-based, logically argued fact and personal opinion. Granted, the murky and dangerous environment in which the subject matter thrives, involving crooked politicians, corrupt cops and violent underworld elements makes information gathering extremely difficult and even life threatening but I still wonder if more research could not have been done. The book itself is also not structured very well and often feels more like a mish-mash of personal observations. Given the gravity of the topic, I really do hope the author or even other journalists might contribute more to this body of work in the future.
3. Despite its shortcomings, if you are lucky enough to be living in a relatively well-off country and are blissfully unaware of the existence of such horrors, this book would still serve as a useful wake-up call. In one section of the book, Cacho describes her interview with a 9-year old Cambodian girl in a shelter who has been "rescued". Their conversation is carried out through an interpreter as the little girl speaks no English. While they are talking, she is watching her friends at the shelter play around in a small, plastic pool. Suddenly, she says to one of them "That's it, baby girl... Good job!" in what Cacho describes as a perfect American accent. Ponder on that sentence for a moment, if you will.
February 3, 2024
Un libro muy duro de una periodista muy valiente. Centra sus críticas allí precisamente donde es necesario: en la hipocresía de las instituciones y las políticas públicas que miran siempre hacia otro lado, y en un sistema capitalista y machista que crea mundos de pesadilla para mujeres, niñas y niños. La posición de Lydia Cacho es claramente abolicionista, como pienso que sería la de cualquiera que hubiera visto y escuchado tantos horrores, y el suyo es un abolicionismo de corazón. Sin duda debe de haber otros libros donde se presenta una argumentación más filosófica contra la legalización de la prostitución, pero Esclavas del poder sobre todo lo que intenta es desvelar una realidad que siempre se busca esconder o minimizar, y crear conciencia sobre un tema muy complejo: la trata es un negocio que en último término va más sobre dinero que sobre sexo, y sin clientes no habría trata.
October 7, 2012
REINVENTING LOVE OR, SLAVERY INC.: THE UNTOLD STORY OF INTERNATIONAL SEX TRAFFICKING
“The clients are insecure drunks who believe whatever we tell them,” a young Cuban prostitute in a Cancun lap-dancing bar tells Lydia Cacho, a Mexican journalist who has devoted her career to investigating violence against women. “Some of them are very vulgar, and they believe we are going to fall in love with them.” Worldwide, one of the first things enslaved girls are taught, Cacho reveals in Slavery Inc., her devastating exposé of the rapidly expanding global market for sex slaves, is to call their clients “my love,” “my life,” “darling,” “big daddy,” or “my king.”
International trafficking of women and children for sex is a multi-billion dollar business rivaling the numbers of African slaves sold from the 1500s to the 1800s. Each year, 1.39 million people -- mostly women and girls, many as young as 4 years old -- are sold and subjected to rape and enslavement. Over a period of five years, Lydia Cacho traveled the world from Mexico and the U.S. to Thailand and Japan, from Turkey and Israel to the UK and the Ukraine tracking small and large sex slave mafia operations run by the Japanese Yakuza, the Chinese Triads, the Italian, Russian, and Albanian mafias, and the Latin American drug cartels. Often risking her life, she interviewed victims, clients, pimps, traffickers, politicians, businessmen, law enforcement officials, and employees of NGOs trying to help the victims. Packed with mind-boggling statistics, her book provides a detailed explanation of how sex trafficking works and the fundamental role played by mafias, governments, and banks.
In a conversational prose, Cacho unfolds a horror story of unfathomable human suffering. She reports on girls sold to traffickers by their mothers in Cambodia, girls stolen from orphanages in Romania, women in Uzbekistan and Brazil who, seeking to escape poverty, are duped by traffickers with fake foreign employment contracts as nannies, domestic workers, secretaries, models, etc., then forced to repay their exorbitant travel and immigration expenses through prostitution after undergoing systematic brainwashing convincing them they are good for nothing else. Confronted by these abhorrent practices, Cacho tries to understand how, ethically, we as a society can allow sex slavery to exist and thrive. She boldly questions every aspect of our civilization, including sacrosanct values such as free speech, free markets, and liberty. Recalling Isaiah Berlin’s famous quote, “Liberty is liberty, not equality or fairness or justice or culture, or human happiness or a quiet conscience,” she wonders: “What is liberty for these girls, for women? Or perhaps liberty is what allows men to foster a culture where slavery is normalized.”
Despite the strides made this past century to improve women’s lives, our planetary culture is still permeated with Page 3s and Page 6s, ubiquitous advertising equating eroticized women and girls with merchandise, and movies, music, and computer games promoting violence against women. Cacho writes: “In a culture governed by misogynistic and patriarchal values, the female body is viewed as an object that can be both sold, used, and disposed of. No country has made an effort to create real conditions for equality between the sexes.”
Read the rest of the column at Bookslut: http://www.bookslut.com/the_bombshell...
“The clients are insecure drunks who believe whatever we tell them,” a young Cuban prostitute in a Cancun lap-dancing bar tells Lydia Cacho, a Mexican journalist who has devoted her career to investigating violence against women. “Some of them are very vulgar, and they believe we are going to fall in love with them.” Worldwide, one of the first things enslaved girls are taught, Cacho reveals in Slavery Inc., her devastating exposé of the rapidly expanding global market for sex slaves, is to call their clients “my love,” “my life,” “darling,” “big daddy,” or “my king.”
International trafficking of women and children for sex is a multi-billion dollar business rivaling the numbers of African slaves sold from the 1500s to the 1800s. Each year, 1.39 million people -- mostly women and girls, many as young as 4 years old -- are sold and subjected to rape and enslavement. Over a period of five years, Lydia Cacho traveled the world from Mexico and the U.S. to Thailand and Japan, from Turkey and Israel to the UK and the Ukraine tracking small and large sex slave mafia operations run by the Japanese Yakuza, the Chinese Triads, the Italian, Russian, and Albanian mafias, and the Latin American drug cartels. Often risking her life, she interviewed victims, clients, pimps, traffickers, politicians, businessmen, law enforcement officials, and employees of NGOs trying to help the victims. Packed with mind-boggling statistics, her book provides a detailed explanation of how sex trafficking works and the fundamental role played by mafias, governments, and banks.
In a conversational prose, Cacho unfolds a horror story of unfathomable human suffering. She reports on girls sold to traffickers by their mothers in Cambodia, girls stolen from orphanages in Romania, women in Uzbekistan and Brazil who, seeking to escape poverty, are duped by traffickers with fake foreign employment contracts as nannies, domestic workers, secretaries, models, etc., then forced to repay their exorbitant travel and immigration expenses through prostitution after undergoing systematic brainwashing convincing them they are good for nothing else. Confronted by these abhorrent practices, Cacho tries to understand how, ethically, we as a society can allow sex slavery to exist and thrive. She boldly questions every aspect of our civilization, including sacrosanct values such as free speech, free markets, and liberty. Recalling Isaiah Berlin’s famous quote, “Liberty is liberty, not equality or fairness or justice or culture, or human happiness or a quiet conscience,” she wonders: “What is liberty for these girls, for women? Or perhaps liberty is what allows men to foster a culture where slavery is normalized.”
Despite the strides made this past century to improve women’s lives, our planetary culture is still permeated with Page 3s and Page 6s, ubiquitous advertising equating eroticized women and girls with merchandise, and movies, music, and computer games promoting violence against women. Cacho writes: “In a culture governed by misogynistic and patriarchal values, the female body is viewed as an object that can be both sold, used, and disposed of. No country has made an effort to create real conditions for equality between the sexes.”
Read the rest of the column at Bookslut: http://www.bookslut.com/the_bombshell...
December 7, 2013
I read this book in one session, despite not being sure whether to buy it at all. The topic is gruesome. Now I'm glad I did buy and read it! Cacho writes with so much courage, respect, and love.
I believe that everyone should read what Cacho has to say about women and girls, their fates, and their suffering. If you have a daughter or a son, read this book and learn to look at gender roles from a very different angle. The "strong" man and the "nice" woman are roles we press upon ourselves and our children. Theses artificial roles have nothing to do with biology or necessity and open the door for violence and oppression.
I believe that everyone should read what Cacho has to say about women and girls, their fates, and their suffering. If you have a daughter or a son, read this book and learn to look at gender roles from a very different angle. The "strong" man and the "nice" woman are roles we press upon ourselves and our children. Theses artificial roles have nothing to do with biology or necessity and open the door for violence and oppression.
May 14, 2015
This book is absolutely essential for anyone who thinks legalizing prostitution is the answer to the problems that plague the sex industry.
Lydia Cacho, at great personal risk, has captured the stories of the voiceless: women and girls tricked or forced into prostitution.
Although there are myriad reasons why legalizing prostitution does a disservice to prostitutes and to all women, simply the fact that it allows trafficking to flourish should be enough.
Of course, there's also the industry of pornography, where so many men learn how to treat women--like objects who love to be punished--and so many women learn what they are for: to satisfy men's desires, no matter how inhumane.
Sex slavery is just the most extreme form of the conditioning all women receive all over the world. If you find what is done to these women and girls abhorrent, you should be against the objectification and commodification of women in all arenas, including "voluntary" prostitution (very little of which is actually voluntary; only those women who DO have the privilege of real "choice"--or think they do--have the luxury of making their voices heard) and pornography. I think this book could have gone into more depth about how the lie of liberal "feminism" has spawned a misogynist backlash all over the world and made the lives of those who traffic in women and girls infinitely easier, but it does touch on it a bit.
Lydia Cacho, at great personal risk, has captured the stories of the voiceless: women and girls tricked or forced into prostitution.
Although there are myriad reasons why legalizing prostitution does a disservice to prostitutes and to all women, simply the fact that it allows trafficking to flourish should be enough.
Of course, there's also the industry of pornography, where so many men learn how to treat women--like objects who love to be punished--and so many women learn what they are for: to satisfy men's desires, no matter how inhumane.
Sex slavery is just the most extreme form of the conditioning all women receive all over the world. If you find what is done to these women and girls abhorrent, you should be against the objectification and commodification of women in all arenas, including "voluntary" prostitution (very little of which is actually voluntary; only those women who DO have the privilege of real "choice"--or think they do--have the luxury of making their voices heard) and pornography. I think this book could have gone into more depth about how the lie of liberal "feminism" has spawned a misogynist backlash all over the world and made the lives of those who traffic in women and girls infinitely easier, but it does touch on it a bit.
September 5, 2019
Estremecedor. De forma contundente y ágil, la autora nos va guiando por las redes criminales mejor posicionadas en esta labor tan horrible y va ofreciendo las miradas de todos los involucrados: víctimas, tratantes, policías, defensores de los derechos humanos, etc. Algo es claro: es un tema de lo más complejo que podemos combatir de muchas formas. Sin duda, hay un infierno frente a nuestros ojos que elegimos no mirar. Ahora que se mira, ¿qué sigue? Lydia da una lista de acciones que podemos tomar. Lo recomiendo con creces porque también muestra las raíces más profundas del patriarcado, ese que se niega a desaparecer, ese que invade los hogares y las mentes. Un libro duro de leer, pero sumamente necesario si queremos entender un poco mejor el poder que se ejerce en nuestra sociedad.
February 16, 2015
A must-read if you want to understand what slavery and human trafficlking is about and how human trafficking and legal prostitution are unseperately interwinded. all my respect for the brave, couragous and wonderful Lydia Cacho
March 9, 2016
This is not an easy read, but it's an important one. Lydia Cacho is an immensely brave and strong journalist who has worked hard to understand how the sex trafficking industries function all over the world. If you don't feel like you have the stomach to make it through her book, do yourself a favor and watch an interview with her. She's an inspiring woman who manages to maintain hope in the fact of all of the horrors that she writes about.
Reading this at the same time as reading David Rock's "History of Argentina" was very interesting for me. The history of South America is one in which labor was the key to everything -- hence slavery. The colonizers wanted money -- from what? Silver. How to get it? Mine it. But how to make a profit? Use cheap labor, and the cheapest of all is slaves.
There are direct parallels with the sex industry. Someone is always making a profit off of the work of someone else's body. If there wasn't money at the end of it, then there would be power. Cacho calls not only for political action against sex trafficking but also a "transformation of masculinity"... which, of course, also inherently means a transformation of femininity as well. We have to fight against the normalization of the eroticization of people's bodies, and we have to fight against the normalization of sexual violence and gender equality in all societies. She calls not only for sex education but also love education, for every human being has the right to love and be loved and to have enjoyable consensual sex.
Cacho travels all over the world to document the abuses of women, men, and children at the hands of sex traffickers, corrupt police, corrupt governments, and the many mafias. This book feels like it was the short version of what could have been 1000+ pages of stories and accounts. She has an excellent analysis of the negative effects of postmodern feminist liberal thinking, and her conclusions chapter includes a very compelling argument against the legalization of sex work.
Some of the quotes that I marked while reading are as follows.
From the section on Cambodia: "Foreign families who want to give them a second chance occasionally adopt some of the youngest girls legally, but it's not an easy task. ... Whoever adopts them needs to understand that transforming the girls' views of themselves, women, sexuality, and their relationships with men will be a life-long mission. Otherwise the girls fail to adjust, they escape from their new homes and return to the familiar world of prostitution, where the rules are clear: everyone lies; take what you can get. ... 'Love and patience is not enough,' says Claudia Fronjosa." (p. 66)
"It is globalization's Achilles' heel: the inequality of cultures, economies, and legal systems, as well as the disparity in intervention capabilities among countries and regions, make it practically impossible to follow cases such as those presented here, no matter how well documented they are. Political will or its absence is a key factor in understanding why human slavery has remained a horrific issue; focusing on isolated cases makes it seem like a criminal phenomenon, a complex conundrum of disparate, individual stories, exaggerated by the fevered imaginations of NGOS." (p.90)
"The author [Diego Gambetta] explains that the mafia uses violence as a means and not an end, contrary to what the police have had us believe for years. The general view is that the mafia deals in violence. Gambetta refutes this perception and argues that 'protection' is in fact what the mafia is selling on different levels. Violence, to a greater or lesser degree, is a tool that allows the effective delivery of protection -- whether for a local trafficker who wants to ensure the safe transfer of his slaves from the airport to his bar..." (p. 146)
Regarding the idea that prostitution should be legalized because sex work should be seen as a viable choice like any other job and sex workers should have the freedom to express themselves: "Catherine MacKinnon responds to this argument. She notes that in the past the women's movement ' understood that the choice to be beaten by one man for economic survival was not a real choice, despite the appearance of consent a marriage contract might provide... Yet now we are supposed to believe, in the name of feminism, that the choice to be sexually used by hundreds of men for economic survival must be affirmed as a real choice, and if the woman signs a contract to be a "model" there is no coercion there." (p. 236)
Lydia Cacho is definitely one of my heroes. My only qualms with this book was, as other readers have mentioned, the writing could definitely use some improvement. Also, I wish that she would also talk about the sex trafficking and sexual abuse of males as well. Maybe that's too much to fit into this one book, but I wish she would have addressed the issue in some way even to say why she didn't focus on it.
Reading this at the same time as reading David Rock's "History of Argentina" was very interesting for me. The history of South America is one in which labor was the key to everything -- hence slavery. The colonizers wanted money -- from what? Silver. How to get it? Mine it. But how to make a profit? Use cheap labor, and the cheapest of all is slaves.
There are direct parallels with the sex industry. Someone is always making a profit off of the work of someone else's body. If there wasn't money at the end of it, then there would be power. Cacho calls not only for political action against sex trafficking but also a "transformation of masculinity"... which, of course, also inherently means a transformation of femininity as well. We have to fight against the normalization of the eroticization of people's bodies, and we have to fight against the normalization of sexual violence and gender equality in all societies. She calls not only for sex education but also love education, for every human being has the right to love and be loved and to have enjoyable consensual sex.
Cacho travels all over the world to document the abuses of women, men, and children at the hands of sex traffickers, corrupt police, corrupt governments, and the many mafias. This book feels like it was the short version of what could have been 1000+ pages of stories and accounts. She has an excellent analysis of the negative effects of postmodern feminist liberal thinking, and her conclusions chapter includes a very compelling argument against the legalization of sex work.
Some of the quotes that I marked while reading are as follows.
From the section on Cambodia: "Foreign families who want to give them a second chance occasionally adopt some of the youngest girls legally, but it's not an easy task. ... Whoever adopts them needs to understand that transforming the girls' views of themselves, women, sexuality, and their relationships with men will be a life-long mission. Otherwise the girls fail to adjust, they escape from their new homes and return to the familiar world of prostitution, where the rules are clear: everyone lies; take what you can get. ... 'Love and patience is not enough,' says Claudia Fronjosa." (p. 66)
"It is globalization's Achilles' heel: the inequality of cultures, economies, and legal systems, as well as the disparity in intervention capabilities among countries and regions, make it practically impossible to follow cases such as those presented here, no matter how well documented they are. Political will or its absence is a key factor in understanding why human slavery has remained a horrific issue; focusing on isolated cases makes it seem like a criminal phenomenon, a complex conundrum of disparate, individual stories, exaggerated by the fevered imaginations of NGOS." (p.90)
"The author [Diego Gambetta] explains that the mafia uses violence as a means and not an end, contrary to what the police have had us believe for years. The general view is that the mafia deals in violence. Gambetta refutes this perception and argues that 'protection' is in fact what the mafia is selling on different levels. Violence, to a greater or lesser degree, is a tool that allows the effective delivery of protection -- whether for a local trafficker who wants to ensure the safe transfer of his slaves from the airport to his bar..." (p. 146)
Regarding the idea that prostitution should be legalized because sex work should be seen as a viable choice like any other job and sex workers should have the freedom to express themselves: "Catherine MacKinnon responds to this argument. She notes that in the past the women's movement ' understood that the choice to be beaten by one man for economic survival was not a real choice, despite the appearance of consent a marriage contract might provide... Yet now we are supposed to believe, in the name of feminism, that the choice to be sexually used by hundreds of men for economic survival must be affirmed as a real choice, and if the woman signs a contract to be a "model" there is no coercion there." (p. 236)
Lydia Cacho is definitely one of my heroes. My only qualms with this book was, as other readers have mentioned, the writing could definitely use some improvement. Also, I wish that she would also talk about the sex trafficking and sexual abuse of males as well. Maybe that's too much to fit into this one book, but I wish she would have addressed the issue in some way even to say why she didn't focus on it.
June 2, 2022
Un libro durísimo sobre la cruda realidad del tráfico humano.
No apto para estómagos sensibles.
No apto para estómagos sensibles.
April 7, 2024
Definitivamente no es un libro para cualquier persona. Aborda un tema sumamente complicado y sensible.
Sin duda Lydia Cacho sabe hacer su trabajo, se nota la pasión que imprime a lo que hace.
Este libro me dejó un sabor extraño en la boca, no podría decir que solo amargo ya que te incita a la reflexión y eso no es malo. Es mucha información que se debe procesar de manera adecuada y con tiempo para entonces poder investigar, leer y averiguar más o de otro modo resultaría sumamente abrumador.
Sin duda Lydia Cacho sabe hacer su trabajo, se nota la pasión que imprime a lo que hace.
Este libro me dejó un sabor extraño en la boca, no podría decir que solo amargo ya que te incita a la reflexión y eso no es malo. Es mucha información que se debe procesar de manera adecuada y con tiempo para entonces poder investigar, leer y averiguar más o de otro modo resultaría sumamente abrumador.
January 4, 2016
Do Japão ao Cambodja, da China ao Porto Rico, do México à Rússia, o tráfico sexual de mulheres e crianças é uma prática banal e globalizada que ocorre sob os nossos narizes, destrói famílias, mentalidades, vidas parcamente vividas, levanta barreiras de preconceito e afastamento.
Lydia Cacho, jornalista mexicana e feminista activa na luta pelos direitos das mulheres embarcou numa viagem pelo turismo sexual à escala global; recolhe informação e dados estatísticos sobre o lucro de um negócio que vive da apatia e crueldade imposta sobre mulheres e crianças retiradas de países pobres com o propósito de abrir os olhos aos leitores sobre uma realidade muito mais comum do que se pensava. Também ela, enquanto mulher, sofreu ameaça de morte várias vezes, assim como também se colocou na linha de risco para conseguir abordar as mulheres que viviam para lá da barreira invisível e quase intransponível do mercado negro.
Numa linguagem fluida e transparente, Cacho divide as informações por país, pelas experiências das mulheres, advogados, instituições não-governamentais e activistas que entrevistou e por colegas de jornalismo que lhe concederam informações até antes não divulgadas.
Sendo também mulher, Lydia sentiu-se afectada pelos relatos de carácter obscuro, cruel e tétrico da realidade de mulheres que tinham a sua mentalidade formatada e moldada ao formato imposto por traficantes e proxenetas a que pertenciam enquanto objectos de prestação de serviços sexuais como meros receptáculos de frustrações e expectativas da virilidade do homem enquanto ser masculino numa sociedade que vive de afirmações e aparências. A sua clientela consiste de pais de família, políticos, celebridades, líderes religiosos, atletas e CEOs de grandes corporações industriais.
Considero esta obra sucinta e muito bem construída como um must-have a qualquer pessoa que queira estudar a complexidade do mercado negro dos dias de hoje, assim como qualquer leitor interessado nos direitos humanos e feminismo. Este livro leva-nos a entender a rede de inúmeros braços que se estende a todos os cantos do planeta de onde retira mulheres e crianças e as coloca em bordéis ilegais mantidos sob o disfarce de karaoke bars ou casinos onde esse mesmo lucro da exploração é lavado. A complexidade deste assunto deve ser abordada com cuidado e lentamente desmantelada, pois não só as mulheres são exploradas e têm toda a sua vida, sexualidade e esperança de ter uma vida feliz destruídas como também este negócio é a fundação sobre a qual economias de países inteiros encontram estabilidade e autossuficiência financeiras.
Lydia Cacho, jornalista mexicana e feminista activa na luta pelos direitos das mulheres embarcou numa viagem pelo turismo sexual à escala global; recolhe informação e dados estatísticos sobre o lucro de um negócio que vive da apatia e crueldade imposta sobre mulheres e crianças retiradas de países pobres com o propósito de abrir os olhos aos leitores sobre uma realidade muito mais comum do que se pensava. Também ela, enquanto mulher, sofreu ameaça de morte várias vezes, assim como também se colocou na linha de risco para conseguir abordar as mulheres que viviam para lá da barreira invisível e quase intransponível do mercado negro.
Numa linguagem fluida e transparente, Cacho divide as informações por país, pelas experiências das mulheres, advogados, instituições não-governamentais e activistas que entrevistou e por colegas de jornalismo que lhe concederam informações até antes não divulgadas.
Sendo também mulher, Lydia sentiu-se afectada pelos relatos de carácter obscuro, cruel e tétrico da realidade de mulheres que tinham a sua mentalidade formatada e moldada ao formato imposto por traficantes e proxenetas a que pertenciam enquanto objectos de prestação de serviços sexuais como meros receptáculos de frustrações e expectativas da virilidade do homem enquanto ser masculino numa sociedade que vive de afirmações e aparências. A sua clientela consiste de pais de família, políticos, celebridades, líderes religiosos, atletas e CEOs de grandes corporações industriais.
Considero esta obra sucinta e muito bem construída como um must-have a qualquer pessoa que queira estudar a complexidade do mercado negro dos dias de hoje, assim como qualquer leitor interessado nos direitos humanos e feminismo. Este livro leva-nos a entender a rede de inúmeros braços que se estende a todos os cantos do planeta de onde retira mulheres e crianças e as coloca em bordéis ilegais mantidos sob o disfarce de karaoke bars ou casinos onde esse mesmo lucro da exploração é lavado. A complexidade deste assunto deve ser abordada com cuidado e lentamente desmantelada, pois não só as mulheres são exploradas e têm toda a sua vida, sexualidade e esperança de ter uma vida feliz destruídas como também este negócio é a fundação sobre a qual economias de países inteiros encontram estabilidade e autossuficiência financeiras.
September 11, 2019
Estoy drenada emocionalmente.
https://www.neapoulain.com/2019/07/do...
Este es el libro que es la lectura del mes en Libros b4 Tipos y es una investigación sobre el negocio de la explotación sexual. Lydia Cacho viajó por varios países para integrar este libro en un intento de mapear cómo ocurría este fenómeno. Se habla de la relación muy estrecha que existe entre el capitalismo y las redes de trata, puesto que este sistema en el que vivimos se alimenta precisamente de la precariedad de las mujeres y de la pobreza y del mito de la libre elección (que no es más que eso, un mito que nos hace creer que está bien entre elegir la explotación y morir de hambre). Justo esta relación puede parecer algo obvio, pero luego sí se les olvida.
Lydia Cacho habló hasta con los tratantes durante todo este viaje y toda esta investigación. Desde tratantes en México que enamoran a las mujeres para llevárselas a otras ciudades y meterlas a la prostitución hasta tratantes que compran a niñas en Asia. Hay un fragmento del libro que siempre me impresionó mucho:
Se habla también de como los tratantes tienden a apoyar el discurso de la libertad de elección del regulacionismo porque finalmente les beneficia (misma cosa que remarca Kajsa Ekis Ekman en El ser y la mercancía): diversas investigaciones periodísticas hablan de como en Alemania, tras la regulación, la trata de mujeres ha aumentado (una de ellas puede ser consultada aquí).
Estuve haciendo algunos apuntes sobre el libro en mi twitter que ahora les puedo poner aquí. Hay muchas cosas qué discutir sobre él, así que los invito a unirse al hangout el 9 de agosto. Sí les recomiendo estas lecturas si les interesa el tema, son investigaciones muy claras sobre la trata de personas y la violencia sexual que ayudan un poco a entender el panorama local y global. Los espero en la transmisión.
https://www.neapoulain.com/2019/07/do...
¿Cómo sabe un cliente si la mujer está ahí por propia voluntad o es esclava de una red de tratantes que la controlan con deudas impagables, amenazas y aisloamiento?
Este es el libro que es la lectura del mes en Libros b4 Tipos y es una investigación sobre el negocio de la explotación sexual. Lydia Cacho viajó por varios países para integrar este libro en un intento de mapear cómo ocurría este fenómeno. Se habla de la relación muy estrecha que existe entre el capitalismo y las redes de trata, puesto que este sistema en el que vivimos se alimenta precisamente de la precariedad de las mujeres y de la pobreza y del mito de la libre elección (que no es más que eso, un mito que nos hace creer que está bien entre elegir la explotación y morir de hambre). Justo esta relación puede parecer algo obvio, pero luego sí se les olvida.
Lydia Cacho habló hasta con los tratantes durante todo este viaje y toda esta investigación. Desde tratantes en México que enamoran a las mujeres para llevárselas a otras ciudades y meterlas a la prostitución hasta tratantes que compran a niñas en Asia. Hay un fragmento del libro que siempre me impresionó mucho:
«No entiendo a que viene tanto escándalo. La gente dice: "Ah, matan a las niñas". Los chinos matan a las niñas porque sólo pueden tener un hijo. Nosotros no las matamos, nosotros les conseguimos trabajo. Oh, y dice: "Ah, las venden, qué malos son los chinos". Pero yo le digo: "Ellas tienen esposos y trabajo, les conseguimos eso en otros países"». Un tratante arrestado en la provincia de Chongquing.
Se habla también de como los tratantes tienden a apoyar el discurso de la libertad de elección del regulacionismo porque finalmente les beneficia (misma cosa que remarca Kajsa Ekis Ekman en El ser y la mercancía): diversas investigaciones periodísticas hablan de como en Alemania, tras la regulación, la trata de mujeres ha aumentado (una de ellas puede ser consultada aquí).
Estuve haciendo algunos apuntes sobre el libro en mi twitter que ahora les puedo poner aquí. Hay muchas cosas qué discutir sobre él, así que los invito a unirse al hangout el 9 de agosto. Sí les recomiendo estas lecturas si les interesa el tema, son investigaciones muy claras sobre la trata de personas y la violencia sexual que ayudan un poco a entender el panorama local y global. Los espero en la transmisión.
September 12, 2019
Leí este libro y muchas veces tuve que cerrarlo porque me ponía a llorar. El trabajo que hace Lydia Camacho entorno a la trata de mujeres alrededor del mundo es impresionante, de una valentía insuperable. Muy necesario de leer en los días de hoy, la situación que viven miles de niñas y mujeres es horrible y Camacho plantea desafíos a nivel político, cultural y personal para avanzar hacia un mundo digno.
April 2, 2017
I found reading this book really disturbing, but also really worthwhile. I didn't realise sexual slavery was so widespread throughout the world and so insidious. Cacho exposed herself to enormous personal risk while carrying out research for this book and then writing and publishing it. She seems to me to present the topic in a very thorough and balanced way and I highly recommend the book.
One thing I found particularly suspicious is the way in which one of the people Cacho mentions, Somali Mam, has been publicly discredited since the book was published in 2010. In the book Somali is described as being someone who 'works day and night with one mission in mind: to abolish female sexual slavery…She was sold in Cambodia and exploited in a brothel for several years. she escaped after witnessing the murder of her best friend, another girl prostitute, by a trafficker. She overcame this horrifying experience and made it her life's mission to save Asian girls from sexual exploitation and to eliminate trafficking in the world'. (p. 67 & 68) Somali Mam has appeared on the front of magazines such as Newsweek and received many awards. She has been feted by Hollywood stars and world leaders, attended gala dinners with the queen of Sweden, the king and queen of Spain and has been photographed with other world-famous figures, including Nobel prize winners. At one stage she was named among Time magazine's 100 most influential people and was a CNN hero and she has also been feted at charity events in Australia. Since 2014, however, since Slavery Inc. was published, many stories have been written that discredit Somali Mam and try to vastly downplay the extent of sexual exploitation of women and young girls taking place in Cambodia in particular. A Newsweek article published on 21 May 2014 states that 'In an interview for Euronews in 2012, Mam said girls as young as 3 are being held in Cambodian brothels. Experts in the field say that is almost unheard-of. Patrick Stayton, who formerly ran the Christian, faith-based International Justice Mission (IJM) in Cambodia, says, “They may have had a supply of younger girls between the age of 14 and 17,” but adds, “We’ve never seen prepubescent girls, or very, very rarely.”' After reading Slavery Inc. though, I would err on the side of believing what Mam said.
One thing I found particularly suspicious is the way in which one of the people Cacho mentions, Somali Mam, has been publicly discredited since the book was published in 2010. In the book Somali is described as being someone who 'works day and night with one mission in mind: to abolish female sexual slavery…She was sold in Cambodia and exploited in a brothel for several years. she escaped after witnessing the murder of her best friend, another girl prostitute, by a trafficker. She overcame this horrifying experience and made it her life's mission to save Asian girls from sexual exploitation and to eliminate trafficking in the world'. (p. 67 & 68) Somali Mam has appeared on the front of magazines such as Newsweek and received many awards. She has been feted by Hollywood stars and world leaders, attended gala dinners with the queen of Sweden, the king and queen of Spain and has been photographed with other world-famous figures, including Nobel prize winners. At one stage she was named among Time magazine's 100 most influential people and was a CNN hero and she has also been feted at charity events in Australia. Since 2014, however, since Slavery Inc. was published, many stories have been written that discredit Somali Mam and try to vastly downplay the extent of sexual exploitation of women and young girls taking place in Cambodia in particular. A Newsweek article published on 21 May 2014 states that 'In an interview for Euronews in 2012, Mam said girls as young as 3 are being held in Cambodian brothels. Experts in the field say that is almost unheard-of. Patrick Stayton, who formerly ran the Christian, faith-based International Justice Mission (IJM) in Cambodia, says, “They may have had a supply of younger girls between the age of 14 and 17,” but adds, “We’ve never seen prepubescent girls, or very, very rarely.”' After reading Slavery Inc. though, I would err on the side of believing what Mam said.
December 28, 2025
This book provided an interesting perspective against the legalization of prostitution, highlighting the ways it would exacerbate sexual slavery. Lydia Cacho clearly puts her heart and soul into her work, but the inconsistent structure and lack of citations were hard to overlook. The first few “country-overview” storytime-like chapters lacked depth, especially when compared to how the rest of the book was written.
Nonetheless, it was a quick and interesting read that gave a good overview of the worldwide sex trafficking industry. Cacho told the stories of many individuals, with a focus on minors forced into the system.
Shocking takeaways:
- Each year, 1.39M ppl are subjected to sexual slavery
- Traffickers often inject the prostitutes w antibiotics (most clients refuse to wear condoms) which leads to grave medical problems for the girls as their bodies develop resistance to stronger antibiotics
- 50% of immigrant women who enter Turkey end up in prostitution rings
- in Cambodia, minors could be sold for $300 per session, while adult women could only be sold for $3, which is why traffickers look for younger and younger girls
- in Cambodia, a girl under 10yrs old is given 1€ for oral sex, but the trafficker is given 40€. With an average of 15-20 clients each day, a trafficker can earn 600€ a day from one girl
- 25% of adolescent girls forced into prostitution in Burma carry HIV and many already have AIDS. Burma is ranked 190/191 in healthcare. Many of these girls die very quickly
- 27% of the population in Burma lives in extreme poverty. There was a story of a farmer selling 5 girls under the age of 11 for $5 each
- in Thailand, Cambodia, and Japan, approx 70% of men pay for sex
- in Europe, Spain tops the list of countries for the amount of prostitution consumed (4000 brothels, bringing in €18B/yr)
“When I hear arguments in favor of legalizing prostitution as a way to ‘give control over their bodies back to women,’ the lost look of the girls who never had the power to decide for themselves comes to my mind. Something tells me that passing laws to legitimize a despicable occupation in such an unequal world will end up favoring the victimizers and not the victims.”
Nonetheless, it was a quick and interesting read that gave a good overview of the worldwide sex trafficking industry. Cacho told the stories of many individuals, with a focus on minors forced into the system.
Shocking takeaways:
- Each year, 1.39M ppl are subjected to sexual slavery
- Traffickers often inject the prostitutes w antibiotics (most clients refuse to wear condoms) which leads to grave medical problems for the girls as their bodies develop resistance to stronger antibiotics
- 50% of immigrant women who enter Turkey end up in prostitution rings
- in Cambodia, minors could be sold for $300 per session, while adult women could only be sold for $3, which is why traffickers look for younger and younger girls
- in Cambodia, a girl under 10yrs old is given 1€ for oral sex, but the trafficker is given 40€. With an average of 15-20 clients each day, a trafficker can earn 600€ a day from one girl
- 25% of adolescent girls forced into prostitution in Burma carry HIV and many already have AIDS. Burma is ranked 190/191 in healthcare. Many of these girls die very quickly
- 27% of the population in Burma lives in extreme poverty. There was a story of a farmer selling 5 girls under the age of 11 for $5 each
- in Thailand, Cambodia, and Japan, approx 70% of men pay for sex
- in Europe, Spain tops the list of countries for the amount of prostitution consumed (4000 brothels, bringing in €18B/yr)
“When I hear arguments in favor of legalizing prostitution as a way to ‘give control over their bodies back to women,’ the lost look of the girls who never had the power to decide for themselves comes to my mind. Something tells me that passing laws to legitimize a despicable occupation in such an unequal world will end up favoring the victimizers and not the victims.”
October 27, 2016
Ein großartiges Buch, das sich auch wunderbar für Laien eignet. Es verschont einen nicht vor der grausamen, verdammt wahren Realität, die heute, hier und jetzt überall - auch bei uns - passiert. Das Buch ist persönlich, genau, mitreißend und beschreibt mit Fingerspitzengefühl eine systematische Brutalität und Ausbeutung, für die man eigentlich gar keine Worte finden kann.
Ich denke dieses Buch sollte von viel mehr Menschen gelesen werden, damit sie wissen was so vielen Menschen / Frauen passiert, während wir beim gemütlichen Abendessen sitzen. Allerdings rate ich davon ab, es direkt vor dem Abendessen zu lesen, da einem an der ein oder anderen Stelle tatsächlich übel werden kann - von den Geschichten oder von der Galle und Wut die sich in einem zusammenbraut.
Ich habe nun schon einige Bücher zu diesem Thema gelesen aber noch nie habe ich so einen glühenden, heißen Ball aus Wut und Verachtung in meiner Kehle gespürt, wie bei dieser Lektüre. Ich bekomme das Bedürfnis die ganze Welt in Brand zu setzen, wegen all dieser Grausamkeit die leider Gottes keine Fiktion ist sondern die Realität von fast 3 Millionen (!) Menschen. Man fühlt sich hilflos, weil das System dafür so global und riesig und verzweigt ist, weil die mächtigsten Menschen der Welt darin verwickelt oder entsprechend bestochen oder bedroht sind, und nichts dagegen tun. Deswegen müssen wir, die "einfachen Leute" endlich die Augen öffnen und diesem schrecklichen Monster ins Gesicht sehen, ohne sofort wieder so zu tun als hätten wir es nicht gesehen. Es ist da und wir müssen es bekämpfen.
(Einziger Minuspunkt: Es fokussiert sich komplett auf Sexsklaverei, was der Titel anders suggeriert)
- Ich habe die Ausgabe der Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung gelesen -
Ich denke dieses Buch sollte von viel mehr Menschen gelesen werden, damit sie wissen was so vielen Menschen / Frauen passiert, während wir beim gemütlichen Abendessen sitzen. Allerdings rate ich davon ab, es direkt vor dem Abendessen zu lesen, da einem an der ein oder anderen Stelle tatsächlich übel werden kann - von den Geschichten oder von der Galle und Wut die sich in einem zusammenbraut.
Ich habe nun schon einige Bücher zu diesem Thema gelesen aber noch nie habe ich so einen glühenden, heißen Ball aus Wut und Verachtung in meiner Kehle gespürt, wie bei dieser Lektüre. Ich bekomme das Bedürfnis die ganze Welt in Brand zu setzen, wegen all dieser Grausamkeit die leider Gottes keine Fiktion ist sondern die Realität von fast 3 Millionen (!) Menschen. Man fühlt sich hilflos, weil das System dafür so global und riesig und verzweigt ist, weil die mächtigsten Menschen der Welt darin verwickelt oder entsprechend bestochen oder bedroht sind, und nichts dagegen tun. Deswegen müssen wir, die "einfachen Leute" endlich die Augen öffnen und diesem schrecklichen Monster ins Gesicht sehen, ohne sofort wieder so zu tun als hätten wir es nicht gesehen. Es ist da und wir müssen es bekämpfen.
(Einziger Minuspunkt: Es fokussiert sich komplett auf Sexsklaverei, was der Titel anders suggeriert)
- Ich habe die Ausgabe der Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung gelesen -
October 23, 2012
Great read! Lydia is one of the bravest people I've heard of after reading this book. It's great to hear that Lydia is trying to make a difference on the planet regarding human trafficking. Lydia is remarkable by bringing an awareness to people on what goes on in the world. This book is just the tip of the iceberg! There are many layers of corruption. Mind-control and programming is a big thing that is taking place on this planet. There is a heavy influence on many levels that humanity needs to be aware of to stop the corruption.
After reading this book, I feel that now I have a responsibility to help the victims in some way. In fact, I feel anyone who reads Slavery Inc. has somewhat of a responsibility, or should contribute to help victims if they are able to help. Helping the victims is the humane thing to do. Because the governments of the world aren't going to help us...the only ones going to help us is ourselves.
I highly recommend this book.
After reading this book, I feel that now I have a responsibility to help the victims in some way. In fact, I feel anyone who reads Slavery Inc. has somewhat of a responsibility, or should contribute to help victims if they are able to help. Helping the victims is the humane thing to do. Because the governments of the world aren't going to help us...the only ones going to help us is ourselves.
I highly recommend this book.
January 5, 2016
I'd have to give the author herself 5 stars. She is amazing and brave and doing really important investigative work. However I was really disappointed with the book. It often reads like a dull text book (maybe it's meant to be a text book?). In one place there are literally pages given over to tracts of legislation. When she is writing about the lives of the young women, though, it is very good. The editing was also very poor. It just seemed to jump around to seemingly random topics from paragraph to paragraph, despite chapters supposedly having cogent themes. If you want a gripping read on this topic (though about more than sex trafficking) I would recommend Misha Glenny's McMafia.
August 28, 2019
Le doy 5 ⭐ porque Lydia hizo un trabajo de investigación muy completo. La forma en la que te lleva a conocer este problema social realmente hace que reflexiones sobre el tema de la trata sexual y laboral de personas y del turismo sexual en el mundo. Después de describir las desgarradoras historias de la víctimas, la autora te plantea formas de ayudar a que la trata no crezca. También pone a discusión el tema de la legalización de la prostitución.
"Cada víctima rescatada de la esclavitud que reivindica sus derechos humanos me recuerda la grandeza de la vida y la importancia de defender la libertad humana y el derecho de toda persona a reclamar su brújula personal" - Lydia Cacho. pp. 288
"Cada víctima rescatada de la esclavitud que reivindica sus derechos humanos me recuerda la grandeza de la vida y la importancia de defender la libertad humana y el derecho de toda persona a reclamar su brújula personal" - Lydia Cacho. pp. 288
June 18, 2016
A good deal of information provided without citations? Sorry, but come-on. I don't care how powerful the message is - I find any research without citations to be a bit suspect. Overall, though, her book conveys and important point; ALTHOUGH, I'm a bit apprehensive to use it in any future research of my own.
September 27, 2015
One of the books EVERYBODY should read. And I mean everybody, from high schoolers to presidents.
July 13, 2020
4.5/5
La razón principal de mi curiosidad con este tema es el hecho de que nadie nos habla de ello. Nadie nos explica su movimiento. Nadie nos enseña las tácticas que emplean. Nadie nos explica cómo se mueve este mercado multimillonario y nadie nos platica con crudeza el mundo oscuro que hay ahí dentro y del cual siempre estamos expuestas.
Entender el tema de la trata es algo que me costó mucho comprender. Nací en México, en un país donde las familias están acostumbradas todos los días a escuchar noticias violentas a la hora del desayuno. En mi familia la mayor parte somos mujeres, por lo tanto crecí con una educación donde la precaución siempre debe estar presente a la hora de salir, incluso si voy con acompañantes. Crecí con miedo al secuestro, a ser violada, a ser asesinada. Pero a pesar de ello, nadie me enseñó la raíz de esto. Quería comprender más a profundidad el porqué la sociedad me ruega y enseña a ser precavida, pero no enseñan a los hombres a no dañarnos. No entendía esto y no sabía por dónde comenzar, hasta que me atreví a leer a Lydia Cacho.
No puedo darle toda la razón a Cacho por el simple hecho de que a penas estoy adentrandome a este tema y soy muy, muy nueva como para ofrecer una opinión demasiado real o justa, pero para empezar a comprender el movimiento de este mundo puedo decir finalmente que este libro debe ser leído por todas las mujeres. Es un excelente libro para iniciar a ver el mundo de la prostitución con unos ojos más abiertos y conscientes.
En este momento no puedo dar una reseña bien hecha de este libro pues a penas lo asimilo y reflexiono, pero les dejo la reseña de la preciosa Nea, que explica muchísimo mejor el contenido de este libro. Además de que su opinión es demasiado similar a la mía.
https://www.neapoulain.com/2019/07/do...
"En todo el mundo el turismo sexual ha generado un gran mercado y una cultura con ciertos valores y cánones, donde las adolescentes, las niñas y los niños son la mercancía que se demanda con mayor frecuencia y que la pobreza ofrece. Se trata de un producto deshumanizado por el sexismo y la cosificación de las mujeres, y mistificado por los grupos ultraconservadores, que aprovechan el pánico moral sobre la trata para volver a expropiar el cuerpo de las mujeres en manos del Estado y de los grupos religiosos. Entre ambos mundos las que más pierden son las mujeres, las niñas y los niños."
La razón principal de mi curiosidad con este tema es el hecho de que nadie nos habla de ello. Nadie nos explica su movimiento. Nadie nos enseña las tácticas que emplean. Nadie nos explica cómo se mueve este mercado multimillonario y nadie nos platica con crudeza el mundo oscuro que hay ahí dentro y del cual siempre estamos expuestas.
Entender el tema de la trata es algo que me costó mucho comprender. Nací en México, en un país donde las familias están acostumbradas todos los días a escuchar noticias violentas a la hora del desayuno. En mi familia la mayor parte somos mujeres, por lo tanto crecí con una educación donde la precaución siempre debe estar presente a la hora de salir, incluso si voy con acompañantes. Crecí con miedo al secuestro, a ser violada, a ser asesinada. Pero a pesar de ello, nadie me enseñó la raíz de esto. Quería comprender más a profundidad el porqué la sociedad me ruega y enseña a ser precavida, pero no enseñan a los hombres a no dañarnos. No entendía esto y no sabía por dónde comenzar, hasta que me atreví a leer a Lydia Cacho.
"Los grandes empresarios y políticos prohíben el aborto e invierten dinero para legalizar la prostitución, pero en los los guetos, "fuera de la mirada de las mujeres de bien". Las quieren ocultas no porque sean mujeres del mal y "ensucien la ciudad", sino porque la esclavitud precisa de controles de poder.
Mientras eso sucede, la industria del sexo se moderniza, se globaliza e implementa nuevos discursos mercadotécnicos y políticamente correctos. Las mafias siempre intentarán convencernos de que somos libres cuando esclavizamos a otras personas para nuestro consumo, y de que las mujeres son libres porque pueden elegir ser esclavas de sus clientes. Pero no solamente la izquierda y las feministas posmodernas compran este discurso, la derecha que bajo el crucifijo o la sotana goza de la prostitución más refinada también está encantada."
No puedo darle toda la razón a Cacho por el simple hecho de que a penas estoy adentrandome a este tema y soy muy, muy nueva como para ofrecer una opinión demasiado real o justa, pero para empezar a comprender el movimiento de este mundo puedo decir finalmente que este libro debe ser leído por todas las mujeres. Es un excelente libro para iniciar a ver el mundo de la prostitución con unos ojos más abiertos y conscientes.
En este momento no puedo dar una reseña bien hecha de este libro pues a penas lo asimilo y reflexiono, pero les dejo la reseña de la preciosa Nea, que explica muchísimo mejor el contenido de este libro. Además de que su opinión es demasiado similar a la mía.
https://www.neapoulain.com/2019/07/do...
August 8, 2023
Benar-benar kagum dengan kemampuan penulis buku ini, Lydia Cacho, dalam melakukan reportase panjang lintas negara, bahkan lintas kontinen, untuk meliput salah satu problem yang cukup purba dalam sejarah umat manusia: perdagangan seksual. Dengan gamblang, lugas, disertai bukt-bukti yang kuat, Cacho menunjukkan bahwa persoalan prostitusi, perdagangan seksual, dan terutama si "pekerja seks komersial" itu merupakan pertemuan dari berbagai macam sebab, tapi pangkalnya tetap sama: kekuasaan, uang, dan laki-laki. Bahkan ketika hari-hari ini, pekerjaan seksual dianggap sebagai salah satu pilihan bebas, Cacho membuktikan sebaliknya. Tidak ada yang namanya prostitusi, menjajakan tubuh dan diri untuk layanan seksual itu seolah atas benar-benar keinginan dan pilihan pribadi. Lebih banyak unsur yang tidak nampak, tidak disadari, sehingga membuat perempuan jatuh ke dalam lubang hitam tersebut. Belum lagi kalau membincang soal perdagangan manusia yang riwayatnya turun-temurun dan entah kenapa seolah para pemilik otoritas tidak pernah dengan sungguh-sungguh membereskannya.
Menyelesaikan membaca buku ini membuka mata dan pikiran saya, untuk melihat bahwa tidak ada yang perlu dibenarkan dalam pekerjaan prostitusi ini, karena pada dasarnya ia tetaplah merugikan si perempuan itu sendiri, dan terutama menghancurkan bangunan peradaban umat manusia; selain pula menyimpan berbagai problem mulai dari kesetaraan, kemanusian, penyakit, peminggiran, dsb.
Seperti biasa, terbitan-terbitan terjemahan Marjin Kiri selalu dikerjakan dengan apik, sehingga sewaktu membacanya serasa bukan membaca karya terjemahan.
Menyelesaikan membaca buku ini membuka mata dan pikiran saya, untuk melihat bahwa tidak ada yang perlu dibenarkan dalam pekerjaan prostitusi ini, karena pada dasarnya ia tetaplah merugikan si perempuan itu sendiri, dan terutama menghancurkan bangunan peradaban umat manusia; selain pula menyimpan berbagai problem mulai dari kesetaraan, kemanusian, penyakit, peminggiran, dsb.
Seperti biasa, terbitan-terbitan terjemahan Marjin Kiri selalu dikerjakan dengan apik, sehingga sewaktu membacanya serasa bukan membaca karya terjemahan.
September 4, 2025
Ένα βιβλίο το οποίο προσπαθούσα πολύ καιρό να ξεκινήσω και ποτέ δεν έβρισκα την σωστή στιγμή.
Κάπου αναμέσα σε ταξίδια και αναμονές, το βιβλιο της Lydia Cachο ξεκίνησε απολύτα αυθόρμητα.
Καθότι άρρηκτα συνδεδεμένο με τη φύση της δουλειάς μου, δεν έπαυε να με σοκάρει κάθε κεφάλαιο αλλά και να με κρατάει εκεί, γεματη ρίγος. Όταν πλέον είχα φτάσει προς το τέλος του βιβλίου, η ψυχική εξάντληση ήρθε.
Μια αίσθηση ματαιότητας οτι το βαθυ παρακρατος του Human Trafficking ειναι τοσο αμετακίνητο που σε κάνει να νιώθεις την αίσθηση του αδιέξοδου για τα κοριτσια τις γυναίκες και τα αγόρια που ειναι φυλακισμένα.
Μια δημοσιογράφος που τα ρισκάρει όλα για όλα, βουταει στον δημοσιαγραφικό ακτιβισμό και έρευνα με απολυτο σκοπο να δώσει φως μεσω της ερευνας της στα αθεατα θύματα του Human Trafficking. Σε κάθε κεφάλιο αναλύει τις συνεντευξεις της με θύματα, pimps, traffickers, πουλημένους govermental officials και μη ανα τον κόσμο. Εξηγεί την παγκόσμια άρνηση να βάλει ενα τελος στο εμπορία σωματων αλλα και να θεμελιωσει νομικά ακόμα πιο ισχυρα τα θύματα.
Κλείνει με το πολυ ενδιάφερον ερώτημα, κατα πόσο μπορεί να ανοίξει ο δρόμος για τις sex workers, πόσο ευάλωτες ειναι και πως το ίδιο το σύστημα του human trafficking δεν θα τις αφήσει να ορισουν τις τιμές που θεωρούν αυτες δίκαιες, το είδος των υπηρεσιών που θέλουν αυτές να προσφέρουν. Αλλά και οχι μονο το συστημα του trafficking, αλλά και οι ίδιες οι κυβερνήσεις, που εξακολουθουν να βαδίζουν σε σεξιστικούς δρομους όπου γνωρίζουν καλά οτι το Human trafficking ειναι ενας απο τους πιο επικερδης χωρούς.
Κάπου αναμέσα σε ταξίδια και αναμονές, το βιβλιο της Lydia Cachο ξεκίνησε απολύτα αυθόρμητα.
Καθότι άρρηκτα συνδεδεμένο με τη φύση της δουλειάς μου, δεν έπαυε να με σοκάρει κάθε κεφάλαιο αλλά και να με κρατάει εκεί, γεματη ρίγος. Όταν πλέον είχα φτάσει προς το τέλος του βιβλίου, η ψυχική εξάντληση ήρθε.
Μια αίσθηση ματαιότητας οτι το βαθυ παρακρατος του Human Trafficking ειναι τοσο αμετακίνητο που σε κάνει να νιώθεις την αίσθηση του αδιέξοδου για τα κοριτσια τις γυναίκες και τα αγόρια που ειναι φυλακισμένα.
Μια δημοσιογράφος που τα ρισκάρει όλα για όλα, βουταει στον δημοσιαγραφικό ακτιβισμό και έρευνα με απολυτο σκοπο να δώσει φως μεσω της ερευνας της στα αθεατα θύματα του Human Trafficking. Σε κάθε κεφάλιο αναλύει τις συνεντευξεις της με θύματα, pimps, traffickers, πουλημένους govermental officials και μη ανα τον κόσμο. Εξηγεί την παγκόσμια άρνηση να βάλει ενα τελος στο εμπορία σωματων αλλα και να θεμελιωσει νομικά ακόμα πιο ισχυρα τα θύματα.
Κλείνει με το πολυ ενδιάφερον ερώτημα, κατα πόσο μπορεί να ανοίξει ο δρόμος για τις sex workers, πόσο ευάλωτες ειναι και πως το ίδιο το σύστημα του human trafficking δεν θα τις αφήσει να ορισουν τις τιμές που θεωρούν αυτες δίκαιες, το είδος των υπηρεσιών που θέλουν αυτές να προσφέρουν. Αλλά και οχι μονο το συστημα του trafficking, αλλά και οι ίδιες οι κυβερνήσεις, που εξακολουθουν να βαδίζουν σε σεξιστικούς δρομους όπου γνωρίζουν καλά οτι το Human trafficking ειναι ενας απο τους πιο επικερδης χωρούς.
September 18, 2023
La autora es una periodista de investigación que viaja por el mundo tratando de entender cómo funciona la trata sexual de niñas y mujeres. Así, a través de distintos aspectos del tema, como la industria de los casinos, las mafias, la explotación, la corrupción, la pornografía, entre otros, muestra los mecanismos que sostienen este tipo de esclavitud moderna.
Lo que me gustó: El libro es muy interesante porque combina datos estadísticos, testimonios de las víctimas, los especialistas y las autoridades, análisis, y comparaciones entre las situaciones de distintos países. Es una investigación muy completa que resulta impresionante porque, además, ofrece opciones para que el lector sea un agente activo en contra de la trata. El libro trata también el debate entre la regularización del trabajo sexual y la abolición de la explotación sexual (y explica cómo la línea que separa ambas categorías no es tan clara como se piensa). Me sorprendió mucho ver cómo la autora ha tomado tantos riesgos y se ha comprometido con su trabajo al punto de haber sido secuestrada, agredida y amenazada varias veces. No solo me parece una lectura recomendable sino que quisiera que todas las personas lean este libro porque, como señala la autora, debido a la complicidad de las autoridades y grupos de poder con la industria de la explotación sexual, la única forma de frenarla es a través de los consumidores.
Lo que me gustó: El libro es muy interesante porque combina datos estadísticos, testimonios de las víctimas, los especialistas y las autoridades, análisis, y comparaciones entre las situaciones de distintos países. Es una investigación muy completa que resulta impresionante porque, además, ofrece opciones para que el lector sea un agente activo en contra de la trata. El libro trata también el debate entre la regularización del trabajo sexual y la abolición de la explotación sexual (y explica cómo la línea que separa ambas categorías no es tan clara como se piensa). Me sorprendió mucho ver cómo la autora ha tomado tantos riesgos y se ha comprometido con su trabajo al punto de haber sido secuestrada, agredida y amenazada varias veces. No solo me parece una lectura recomendable sino que quisiera que todas las personas lean este libro porque, como señala la autora, debido a la complicidad de las autoridades y grupos de poder con la industria de la explotación sexual, la única forma de frenarla es a través de los consumidores.
August 11, 2024
Me tomo muchísimo tiempo terminar este libro porque cada pagina duele un poco más que la anterior. Que terrible la realidad a la que nos enfrenta Lydia. Cada que la leo la admiro todavía mucho más, la labor que hace y lo inquebrantable de su espíritu para continuar exigiendo justicia.
Aprendí muchísimo, entendí la realidad de la globalización de otra forma; me encuentro cuestionando absolutamente todas las posturas de feminismo que he leído sobre este tema. Ale de libros before tipos lo dijo mejor que yo: este es un mapa de la esclavitud actual y cuánto duele. Me parece injusto que en pleno siglo XXI siga siendo la ciudadanía la que lucha y vela por nuestros derechos porque el estado y las instituciones son un sistema corrupto y con una estructura que no permite la justicia social. Arriba las ONG’s y los ciudadanos que dedican su vida a hacer nuestro mundo un lugar mejor✨
La frase que me enloqueció en los agradecimientos: “sabíamos que valía la pena jugarse la vida por los ideales”🤍✨
Aprendí muchísimo, entendí la realidad de la globalización de otra forma; me encuentro cuestionando absolutamente todas las posturas de feminismo que he leído sobre este tema. Ale de libros before tipos lo dijo mejor que yo: este es un mapa de la esclavitud actual y cuánto duele. Me parece injusto que en pleno siglo XXI siga siendo la ciudadanía la que lucha y vela por nuestros derechos porque el estado y las instituciones son un sistema corrupto y con una estructura que no permite la justicia social. Arriba las ONG’s y los ciudadanos que dedican su vida a hacer nuestro mundo un lugar mejor✨
La frase que me enloqueció en los agradecimientos: “sabíamos que valía la pena jugarse la vida por los ideales”🤍✨
November 2, 2022
Wow! Qué libro. Tantas cosas que yo desconocía. Siento como si toda mi vida la hubiera vivido dentro de una burbuja en comparación de lo que han vivido miles de niños, niñas y mujeres al rededor del mundo. He valorado más la vida que me ha tocado. Porque si bien vivo en México, un país muy afectado en el tema que en este libro se plantea, sin duda he sido privilegiada en desarrollarme en un ambiente donde se me respeta y ejerzo mi libertad. Ojalá todos pudieran leerlo. Gracias Lydia por tu valentía al escribir esto.
January 14, 2020
Este libro es muy esclarecedor sobre la explotación sexual y la trata. Es muy difícil de leer porque es brutal, la realidad es brutal, pero es necesario hacerla visible.
"En una ocasión Octavio Paz señaló que la gran miseria moral y espiritual de las democracias libres es su insensibilidad afectiva. El dinero ha acabado con el erotismo porque las almas y los corazones se han secado. Acaso la tarea pendiente de la sociedad sea reinventar el amor y el erotismo sin atavismos violentos."
"En una ocasión Octavio Paz señaló que la gran miseria moral y espiritual de las democracias libres es su insensibilidad afectiva. El dinero ha acabado con el erotismo porque las almas y los corazones se han secado. Acaso la tarea pendiente de la sociedad sea reinventar el amor y el erotismo sin atavismos violentos."
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