Sex Slaves: The Trafficking of Women in Asia

by Louise Brown

The Asian sex trade is often assumed to cater predominantly to foreigners.  Sex Slaves  turns that belief on its head to show that while western sex tourists have played a vital part in the growth of the industry, the primary customers of Asia’s indentured sex workers and of its child prostitutes are overwhelmingly Asian men. Here are the voices of some of the world’s most silent and abused women—women who have been forced into prostitution by the men they trust. This is their story, including the journey from home to captivity, the horrors of "seasoning" for prostitution, and the hidden life within the brothel.

Genres: Nonfiction, Asia, Sexuality

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

See also: T. Louise Brown, how the name is printed in some editions.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Louise has lived in Nepal and travelled extensively in India and Pakistan, sparking her enduring love of South Asia. She was a Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Asian Studies at the University of Birmingham, where she taught for nearly twenty years. In research for her critically acclaimed non-fiction books she’s witnessed revolutions and stayed with a family of traditional courtesans in the old city of Lahore.

Louise has three grown-up children and lives in Birmingham.

Her previously published books are: SEX SLAVES: THE TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN IN ASIA (Virago 2001); THE TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY IN NEPAL (Routledge 1995); WAR AND AFTERMATH IN VIETNAM (Routledge 1991); THE DANCING GIRLS OF LAHORE, a personal account of life in a Pakistani brothel quarter; and EDEN GARDENS about Maisy, the daughter of a Raj with an unexpected story to tell (Headline 2016).

Her lastest book THE HIMALAYAN SUMMER was published by Headline in 2017.

Reviews

[Yigal Zur · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read it as part of my research for my thriller Passport to Death. not an easy read these stories of human traffic. i give 4* because it is important read.

[Annie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very sensational and anecdotal, gives one outsider's narrow perspective and, in an exasperating number of instances, gives no consideration to how Asians themselves perceive the horrendous sex trade. Brown repeatedly jabs at myths about Asia only to reveal her own racist, simplistic and sometimes sexist assumptions. She claims to assess how the sex trade in all of Asia is far worse than the West. How she is able to cover ALL of Asia in the span of 255 pages (one day of reading) and compare the likes of Japan, Pakistan and Nepal next to each other in an incoherent sequence, boggles the mind!! She reveals in her lofty conclusion her desire for the book's "revelations" to lessen the burden for women in Asia--more classic ignorance on her part: that the solution has to come from western/outside readers as locals themselves don't know how bad their own situation is. She also withholds her qualifications for being a pundit on Asia. I've lived in Bangladesh and Cambodia. I speak functional Bengali and I worked closely through an NGO with Bangladeshi sex workers. I would not claim to know what it's truly like for these women and girls but my own observations, interviews and discussions differed from Brown's. Brown's *struggling* claims are a good reminder of how NOT to approach such a serious issue.

Some gems:

"All women in Asia are discriminated against relative to men within their own social and economic classes."

"In all parts of Asia girls are less highly valued by society."

"Families provide protection but they can also be a prison in which the worst abuses take place. This is a universal truth... When [girls] do not belong to one man they belong, by default, to all."

"It is a myth that the Asian family always looks after its own. Red light areas in South Asia are filled with a large proportion of women who have been widowed, divorced, deserted and left with young children to feed and clothe."

"Women are exchanged in marriage. This means that marriage signifies the binding of two families rather than simply two people... At the best of times, [women] gain economic security and social status. But they can also suffer terribly because they are part of a transaction."

[Nisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

In response to all the negative reviews here...

I am a South African Indian who has been living in Asia for the past three years, and I don't find this book to be racist at all.

I find it to be well researched and accurate. The author's opinions reflects her level of humanity. Those who find her work to be sexist, actually prove her point about misogyny, ignorance, and the blatant disregard for the life and well-being of abused women.

I applaud the writer for her bravery in publishing this book. Not only does she have to face criticism for her work, but her investigation and expose were dangerous to her own life. We need more daring and caring writers like this in the world.

[Pete · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very flawed book, with some downright stupid statements and assumptions, with a hefty hint of racism... still, an informative read.

[Natalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5

Na reportaż Louise Brown trafiłam przypadkiem, czytając inną książkę non-fiction, która przywoływała „Sprzedane” w swojej bibliografii. Pomyślałam wówczas, że muszę zapoznać się z tym tytułem, bo temat jest równie ciekawy i istotny, co przerażający. Lekturę zaczynałam podekscytowana, jednak ten entuzjazm z każdą stroną coraz bardziej opadał, bo cóż z tego, że tematyka sex traffickingu jest wielowymiarowa, niejednoznaczna, owiana zmową milczenia i pewnym tabu — słowem, idealny materiał na stworzenie angażującego reportażu — skoro wykonanie jest wątpliwej jakości.

Zacznę może od tego, co się Louise Brown udało. Doceniam próbę jak najszerszego nakreślenia tego zjawiska, wzięcia na tapet kilku państw Azji Południowej i Południowo-wschodniej, z rozróżnieniem ich kultur, podejścia do seksbiznesu, problemów społecznych i gospodarczych. To oraz cały przekrój tematów poruszanych przez autorkę (kobiet pracujących w przemyśle seksualnym, organizację grup handlujących kobietami, klientów pracownic seksualnych itd.) pokazuje, że seksbiznes to zjawisko mające wiele oblicz, choć zawsze zasadzające się na tych samych mechanizmach władzy i wyzysku, po przeczytaniu „Sprzedanych” nie ma co do tego wątpliwości. Niestety, autorka nie wykorzystała do końca możliwości, jakie miała, pisząc tę książkę. Moim największym problemem było to, że w przeważającej jej części się powtarzała. Przedstawiała te same tezy i stwierdzenia w lekko tylko zmienionej formie, przez co miałam wrażenie, że wcale nie posuwa się naprzód, tylko kręci w kółko, podając po wielokroć te same informacje. Brown miała też dostęp do pracownic seksualnych, byłych i aktywnie wówczas działających w branży, mogła dać im przestrzeń na opowiedzenie swoich historii, a zdecydowała się tylko na krótkie cytaty z ich wypowiedzi, które miały potwierdzić lub lepiej zobrazować przytaczane przez nią dane. Co prowadzi do kolejnej składowej działającej na niekorzyść „Sprzedanych” — bibliografii. Owszem, Brown przytacza wiele źródeł w swojej książce, odnosi nas do tekstów, z których korzysta, jednak w wielu momentach takiego odniesienia brakuje. Autorka często posługuje się np. uogólnieniami dotyczącymi całych narodów, ale nie informuje nas, skąd posiada informacje na dany temat, co jest zastanawiające i uruchamia czerwony alarm w głowie. I
tak, w reportażu kilkukrotne podkreśla, że pisanie o przemyśle seksualnym jest trudne z racji tego, że jest on owiany tajemnicą, w zależności od kraju działa na granicy prawa lub zupełnie poza nim, wiąże się z nieludzkim traktowaniem i najczęściej ogromnym wstydem kobiet zarabiających w ten sposób na swoje utrzymanie, jednak takich niepopartych rzetelnymi danymi dywagacji było na tyle sporo, że może to rzutować na ogólny odbiór książki. „Sprzedane” bardziej niż z ważnym, angażującym reportażem kojarzą mi się z pracą dyplomową, i to taką co najwyżej średnią.

[Dominika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mam problem z tą książką - porusza niezwykle ważny, trudny i tragiczny temat, cytuje historie bohaterek, które przechodzą prawdziwe piekło. Jednocześnie książka zamiast formuły reportażu jest raczej suchym raportem, przypomina naukową rozprawkę, z cytowaniem statystyk itp. Jednocześnie autorka na koniec opisuje, że zdaje sobie sprawę, że jej książka niewiele wniesie, ponieważ problem jest zbyt szeroki i dotyka wielu kwestii kulturowych, gospodarczych i społecznych - więc mam wrażenie, że książka powstała z badań pracownika uniwersyteckiego, nie zaś z gorącej potrzeby pisarza.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have travelled in Asia on numerous occassions and spent a reasonable amout of time in Vietnam. This book i think was written from a feminist perspective and rather vinicative of men. This aside the essence of what she is saying is true. the prostitues of Asia are in most from the poorest regions and are desperate women usually from disfunctional families. This is all true and there are many places Asian esclusive in this business. Women that work in this industry are either coerced or do so under extreme economic circumstances who do not have the support of their family.

I think this expose is rather opinionated and sensational, but the fact is this happens and it is happening now. Girls are bought sold and owned and moved to all corners of the world and in the most they are depressed disilusioned and resigned to sacrificing there own lives for acceptance from family and in a many cases deliverance of money buys this satisfation.

Brave book Louise i think concise unfortunatley it paints a grim picture of Asia buit i think if we look at every country we will see similarities afterall we contribute by providing markets within our own cities. i know this is true for Australia why would it be different anywhere else.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am reading this book for research on a writing project. The author clearly has done a ton of research. All of her information comes from a American/European perspective evaluating the Asian culture. That is as much good as I can say about it. SHE HATES MEN in so many ways. There are only cursory references to the harder truths of family members selling children into slavery and women volunteering their bodies for prostitution and the existence of males who are enslaved as well and the role of Asian wives in pushing men to prostitution. These things are serious contributors. This whole thing is so serious and complicated that it cannot be reduced to "the law of the penis" as she states.

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this in a used book store in Phnom Penh while backpacking around Southeast Asia. I hit the section on Cambodia riding the bus from Sihanoukville back to Phnom Penh, where she talks about how the girls are separated from their passports, everything and everyone they know, effectively trapping them. I immediately checked to make sure my passport was where I remembered putting it.

Generalizations? Sure. Somewhat superficial in an attempt to cover all of Asia? Uh huh. Possibly a little sensationalist in places? Yup. Still a powerful read.

[Michal Dufek · Rating 4 out of 5]

The information the book brings are very shocking. This documentary book is not easy to read as novels, but it provides reader with great insights into sex industry in Asia.

[Sunaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not exactly your regular beach read, but relevant to being in South East Asia. Hard to digest, this one.

[James Cho · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book I acquired through Internet was rather interesting. I have been to Southeast Asia and India for many times throughout a period of 8-9 years and I got to see reality of prostitution and brothels the locals ran. The book was from a perspective of Westerner who is apparently a feminist help me recognize a lot of facts behind the bored and unexciting faces that I have seen. I am not a regular to buy prostitution or go to brothels, but this book help me refresh my memory through facts behind the prostitutes' everyday lives. Currently, the term sex slaves is on the media as if it was during wartime and crimes committed by particular nation's government, but after having read this book, the capitalism itself sounded like the cause of exploitation and the realities. In fact, it is an embedded exploitation that almost every industry has to endure so women were treated as commodities, nothing else. The perspective was from westerners so somehow it made it sound like anything like this hasn't ever happened to the western world throughout their history. It is a necessary evil and capitalism's trap that they tangle themselves to the system whether it was a forced trafficking or rather voluntary even if only slightly, the core of all the problems arises from inequality between demand and supply therefore fair pricing or income for the prostitutes. I had an impression that it was only money that differentiates successful story or not. Certainly it wasn't prostitution itself that carried stigma and shame, but when they return home with a fair amount of savings, they would not considered to be shame. Somehow in my mind, this picture makes me interconnect Das Capital and prostitution because after all said and done, money is the only object and outcome of this trade or business. Therefore, in my opinion, it seems like a regulation or legalization by governments to harness more good than evil, such as STDs. I would like to catch up with these kinds of story with further readings on Southeast Asia and even Japan for their history of prostitution.

[Natasa Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have time for only one book this year, make it this one. Amazingly researched and written in great detail from coercing, trafficking, being violated by men, policemen, the medical system, the court system, this is the heart-breaking, true story about many women and children who have been forced into sex slavery. These human beings don't choose that life for themselves, and despite that, they are shunned by society, they are stigmatized and verbally abused on every corner. They contract illnesses and die young. The world treats them as a menace instead of offering them a helping hand. Touching stories that are at times difficult to read, but this is the reality we all need to be aware of and we need to fight to stop it from happening. If nothing else, we women need to pray that abusive men's pea brain expands and that they become aware of the lowness of life that they are, as well as of the immense pain they are causing with their undeveloped minds.

[Javier Trost · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a hard read simply because of the subject matter. I found the book to be very informative although heartbreaking. How my fellow human beings treat one another and are treated was very upsetting. Overall as a species we need to do a better job carrying for females. If they are a consenting adult and decide to become a sex worker of their own free will, then that is their business. Why not invest in the education of our children and provide them with options? I don't know exactly how I am going to make a positive difference in this world, but I am going to look for a way to. If nothing else, books like this on difficult subject matter show people how little of a right we have to complain about First World Problems.

[Zapach Dnia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sprzedane. Ile kosztuje człowiek. Wstrząsający obraz życia nieludzko wykorzystywanych dziewcząt i kobiet w Azji południowo-wschodniej. Wszechobecna bieda, bezwzględność handlarzy ludźmi, hipokryzja klientów i władz a przede wszystkim złamane , zbrukane i zdruzgotane nastolatki, które w makabrycznych warunkach przyuczane są do zawodu. Wszystko to opatrzone olbrzymią ilością danych liczbowych, opisami przeżyć konkretnych dziewcząt i przesiąknięte ich ciągłą niepewnością, co będzie jutro, choć tak naprawdę na lepsze jutro nie ma nadziei i to już od momentu, gdy przekroczyły próg własnego domu.

[Aiva Orina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a well written book, on such a horrible topic.
It was very hard to read, but also important.
It was separated into chapters based on the different aspects of sex trafficking in Asia. The double standards of men and the corruption of the governments make me so angry, but also sadly does not surprise me.

[Emma Haines · Rating 2 out of 5]

very dull and took me AGES to finish. topic is something i am super interested in, just found the incessant over-generalisations hindered the overwhelming point of the book. asia is a massive continent - why did the author not pick a sub-region to actually focus on instead of such a broad and diverse continent? frustrating

[Jason Hung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly discuss the drivers of sex trafficking in Asian contexts… recommend for those who are interested in understanding how sex work is sociologically constructed, reproduced and sustained… Particularly useful to sociologists and social scientists, but is also beneficial to general readers

[Monira Fyenci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sungguh buku yang eye-opening karena melihat dari hulu ke hilir adanya pekerja sex di Asia. Cukup tragis dan triggered untuk seorang perempuan yang membacanya. Namun bisa tau flow dari keseluruhan yang terjadi di kapitalismenya

[Munaza Kazmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great work Louise...Very knowledgeable but a little repetitive, 👍 book one should read it, as it's the universal issue.

[Brendon Fehre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched, interesting and informative intimate look into the sex industry, well worth reading.

[Mrs. Kenyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is 20-years old, so many of the statistics are dated, but there is a lot of good information poured into this book.

[Taylor Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to read but should be required reading for gender and sociology majors. Warning: there is a lot of info about how the US contributed to Asia’s sex trade. It is heart breaking and enraging.

[Taj Martin-Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone moving to SEAsia should read this book.

[Maggie Watson]

A very harrowing read about a very real problem.

[Jo K Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting as a research book bit too complex and detailed for personal leisurely reading.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically read like an opinion piece. The author included a lot of detail about the sex trade in Asia, but from page 1 it was buried within her clear hatred of every Asian culture and of men in general. Perhaps there was some justification for her feelings, but it would have been much better to hear the author's feelings after the evidence had been provided, rather than mixing everything into her very strong opinions. Statements like, "life for boy sex slaves can never be as bad as it is for girls" and "the sex industry has the support of virtually every man in Asia" make it hard to her other opinions seriously.

On a different note, I found the chapters to be very poorly organized. Each chapter has a general focus but no clear progression from beginning to end and a lot of repetition and self-contradiction. The facts and opinions are so muddled together that it can be difficult to know what to believe and what is just the author's bias speaking.

In the end, some good meat can be found in the pages, but you have to pick through a lot of stuff to get there.

[Booka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Książka napisana bardziej w charakterze obszernego reportażu. Autorka przedstawia proceder sprzedawania kobiet do domów publicznych na podstawie rozmów z kobietami. Kobiety te są w różnym wieku i pochodzą z krajów Azji.
Książka ciekawa, aczkolwiek niektóre rozdziały mogą męczyć nadmiarem statystyki. Długo się ją czytało. Niektóre fragmenty nużące.

Wprawdzie długo ją czytałam. Uważam jednak, że warto poświęcić jej czas (mimo, niektórych nużących fragmentów, szczególnie gdy ma się wrażenie, że autorka powtarza coś o czym pisała wcześniej), gdyż książka ta jest szczegółową, rzetelną relacją dotykającą ważnego problemu handlu ludźmi i prostytucji na świecie.

Opinia opublikowana na moim blogu:
https://literackiepodrozebooki.blogsp...

[John Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short, frightening, informative book was the inspiration for my first novel "From Thailand With Love". It is an essential guide to the world of human trafficking in Asia. This is not a pretty thing to behold. It is incomprehensible, at least for me personally, that in our supposedly civilized era where the spread of self-determination, respect for the value of human life, and awareness of women's issues are on the increase, that there are over 25,000,000 people who are slaves. They are in bondage to serve their master/owners as household maids and servants, to work in horrific conditions in sweat factories for no pay, or to be raped at the whim of whoever keeps them locked up. You will not learn about this in your high school social studies class.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

The topic is so important. Horrific pity that Brown is such an awful writer. The whole book is totally disorganized and repetitive. There are chapter titles, but they often have not much to do with what's in the chapter. The author seemed to have unusual access to sex workers and their experiences. I am so frustrated that she didn't have access to a good editor. Seriously, it was hard to get more out of the book than a new perspective on how bad Japanese men are. So much more could have been drawn out of this material. I hope there are other books out there that are successful at it. Maybe try "Half the Sky" as it's much clearer.