The Natashas

1. The Collapse of the Soviet Union Created Fertile Ground for Sex Trafficking

In the chaos that followed, tens of millions of people were abandoned, left to survive as best as they could.

Economic devastation. The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to widespread economic collapse in the newly independent republics. Market reforms resulted in capital flight, corruption, and the dismantling of social safety nets, leaving millions in poverty and desperation. This created a vulnerable population ripe for exploitation by organized crime.

Breakdown of social structures. The social fabric of these nations unraveled, leading to family breakdown, abandonment of children, and soaring rates of violence against women. With unemployment rates for women reaching as high as 80%, many were left with few options for survival, making them easy targets for traffickers.

Porous borders and organized crime. The disintegration of the Iron Curtain created porous borders that attracted organized crime syndicates. These groups quickly identified the potential for profit in exploiting the vulnerable women and girls of the region, leading to a surge in sex trafficking.

2. Deceptive Recruitment Tactics Lure Vulnerable Women

Enter the “saviours,” promising endless varieties of what, for these women, was nothing less than salvation.

False promises of legitimate employment. Traffickers often pose as recruiters for seemingly legitimate jobs abroad, such as nannies, maids, models, or waitresses. These positions promise high salaries and glamorous lifestyles, enticing women desperate for a way out of poverty. However, in the vast majority of cases, these jobs do not exist.

Exploitation of trust. Recruiters often exploit existing relationships, posing as relatives, neighbors, or friends of the family to gain trust. They may also target vulnerable individuals, such as orphans or women with sick family members, who are particularly susceptible to their deceptive tactics.

Matchmaking services and abduction. Other tactics include using "matchmaking services" that are fronts for online brothels, luring women across borders with promises of romance, or outright abduction. Orphans are particularly vulnerable, as traffickers often target them as they leave state care, knowing they lack resources and support.

3. Breaking Grounds and the Crushing of the Human Spirit

I knew I did not have the strength to endure what would surely follow if I resisted.

Systematic abuse and terror. Trafficked women are often subjected to brutal physical and psychological abuse in "breaking grounds," secret training centers where their spirits are crushed and their will to resist is destroyed. These centers are often located in countries bordering the destination nations, making it difficult for authorities to intervene.

Deprivation and humiliation. Women are deprived of their travel documents, subjected to constant surveillance, and threatened with violence against themselves or their families if they attempt to escape. They may be forced to stand naked for hours while potential buyers inspect them like cattle.

Forced compliance and suicide attempts. Those who resist are often beaten, starved, or subjected to horrific acts of sexual violence in front of other women. Many attempt suicide as a result of the trauma they endure. The goal is to break their will and force them into compliance, turning them into submissive sex slaves.

4. Organized Crime Reaps Immense Profits from Human Trafficking

You can buy a woman for $10,000 and you can make your money back in a week if she is pretty and she is young. Then everything else is profit.

High profits, low risk. Trafficking in human beings is the third-largest moneymaking venture in the world for organized crime, after illegal weapons and drugs. The profits are immense, with each exploited woman potentially bringing in $75,000 to $250,000 a year. The risks are minimal compared to other criminal activities.

Global criminal networks. Russian Organized Crime (ROC) is a major player in the trafficking of women from Eastern Europe, with syndicates operating in dozens of countries around the world. These groups have formed alliances with other powerful criminal organizations, such as the Italian Mafia, Colombian drug cartels, and Chinese Triads.

Corruption and violence. Organized crime groups use their wealth and power to corrupt government officials and law enforcement, ensuring their operations remain protected. They also employ violence and intimidation to control their victims and eliminate competition.

5. The Internet Fuels the Global Sex Trade

Business has tripled with the internet.

Online brothels and auctions. The internet has become a massive marketplace for sex trafficking, with countless websites offering women and girls for sale. Some sites even hold auctions for virgins, with bids reaching thousands of dollars.

Anonymity and accessibility. The internet provides anonymity for both buyers and sellers, making it easier for them to engage in illegal activities without fear of detection. It also allows them to reach a global audience, expanding the market for sex trafficking.

Sex tourism and mail-order brides. The internet has facilitated the growth of sex tourism, with websites offering packages that include travel, accommodation, and access to prostitutes. It has also fueled the mail-order bride industry, which often exploits vulnerable women from developing countries.

6. Daring Escapes and the Fragile Road to Freedom

My life is no longer my own.

Rare opportunities for rescue. For trafficked women, escape is often the only path to freedom. This requires immense courage and resourcefulness, as they are constantly monitored and threatened with violence. Rescue by authorities is rare, and even when it occurs, it can be traumatic.

The role of sympathetic individuals. Sometimes, a caring client or a sympathetic member of the community may offer assistance, providing a lifeline to escape. However, these opportunities are few and far between.

Long-term trauma and challenges. Even after escaping, trafficked women face significant challenges in rebuilding their lives. They often suffer from severe psychological trauma, physical injuries, and sexually transmitted diseases. They may also face stigma and discrimination from their families and communities.

7. Apathy, Indifference, and the Complicity of Silence

The vice trade is one which people can, if they wish to, turn a blind eye to, but I fail to see how we as a mature society can turn our backs on people.

Lack of concern for victims. Trafficked women often face apathy and indifference from government officials, law enforcement, and the public. They may be treated as criminals rather than victims, and their stories are often dismissed or ignored.

Racism and discrimination. Racism and discrimination play a significant role in the indifference towards trafficked women. They are often seen as "foreigners" or "prostitutes," making it easier to dehumanize them and disregard their suffering.

Hypocrisy and double standards. Society often applies different standards to the women who are trafficked and the men who use them. The women are stigmatized and labeled as "whores," while the men are often excused or even pitied.

8. Corruption: The Bedrock of the Sex Trafficking Industry

There was an actual price for touching each part of the body. Sort of like a meat chart.

Bribery and protection. Corruption is essential for the success of sex trafficking. Traffickers rely on bribes and sexual favors to ensure that law enforcement and government officials turn a blind eye to their activities.

Police involvement. In some cases, police officers are directly involved in the trafficking trade, recruiting women, providing protection, and warning traffickers of impending raids. This complicity makes it difficult for victims to seek help from authorities.

Judicial leniency. Even when traffickers are arrested, they often receive lenient sentences due to corruption or indifference within the judicial system. This sends a message that trafficking is not a serious crime and does little to deter others from engaging in the trade.

9. The Hypocrisy of "Peacekeepers" and the Perpetuation of Abuse

Here we are UN peacekeepers trying to establish law and order and they’re out there getting freebies from girls being forced to be sex slaves.

Exploitation by international forces. In conflict zones and areas with a large international presence, such as Bosnia and Kosovo, trafficked women are often exploited by UN peacekeepers, aid workers, and other members of the international community. These individuals may frequent brothels where women are held as sex slaves, perpetuating the cycle of abuse.

Lack of accountability. Despite allegations of misconduct, few peacekeepers or aid workers are ever held accountable for their involvement in the sex trade. This lack of accountability sends a message that such behavior is tolerated and that the victims are not worthy of protection.

Cover-ups and indifference. In some cases, UN officials have been accused of covering up allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation by peacekeepers. This further undermines the credibility of the organization and perpetuates the cycle of impunity.

10. The U.S. Government's Inconsistent Approach to Combating Trafficking

With the diplomats at State unwilling to honestly confront foreign countries with the truth, the Office to Combat Trafficking has become the Office to Obscure Trafficking.

The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. The U.S. State Department publishes an annual TIP report that ranks countries based on their efforts to combat trafficking. However, the report has been criticized for being inconsistent and politically motivated.

Geopolitical considerations. The U.S. government has been accused of prioritizing geopolitical interests over human rights concerns when ranking countries in the TIP report. This has led to situations where countries with poor trafficking records are given favorable ratings due to their strategic importance.

Lack of enforcement. Even when countries are placed on Tier Three, the sanctions that are supposed to be imposed are often waived or ignored. This undermines the credibility of the TIP report and reduces its effectiveness as a tool for combating trafficking.

Last updated: February 23, 2025