Book

Female Sexual Slavery

📖 Overview

Female Sexual Slavery, published in 1979, was one of the first comprehensive investigations into international sex trafficking and forced prostitution. The book draws on research, interviews, and case studies spanning multiple continents to document the scope and mechanics of sexual exploitation. Barry examines the methods used to recruit and control women, the social conditions that enable trafficking networks, and the links between legal and illegal sex trades. The work contains interviews with survivors and details the operations of criminal enterprises that profit from sexual slavery. The book analyzes the role of economic systems, gender inequality, and cultural attitudes in perpetuating sexual exploitation across borders. Barry challenges prevalent assumptions about prostitution and argues for viewing sex trafficking as a human rights violation rather than a criminal justice issue. The text established foundational frameworks for understanding sex trafficking that continue to influence anti-trafficking efforts and feminist theory. Its raw examination of systematic sexual exploitation helped spark international policy changes and remains relevant to current discussions of human trafficking and gender-based violence.

👀 Reviews

Readers find this 1979 work delivers a raw examination of sex trafficking and exploitation through interviews and research. Multiple reviewers note its role in bringing attention to trafficking networks and survivor experiences. What readers liked: - Detailed documentation of trafficking operations - First-person survivor accounts - Links between prostitution and trafficking - Focus on solutions and prevention What readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style - Some outdated terminology - Limited international scope - Lack of male trafficking coverage Ratings: Goodreads: 3.93/5 (86 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (12 ratings) Sample reader comments: "Ground-breaking research though the language feels dated" - Goodreads reviewer "Important but difficult content that opened my eyes" - Amazon reviewer "More academic than accessible but vital information" - LibraryThing reviewer "The survivor stories stay with you" - Goodreads reviewer Multiple academic reviewers cite this as one of the first comprehensive studies of modern sex trafficking.

📚 Similar books

Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery by Siddharth Kara A data-driven investigation into global trafficking networks reveals the economic structures perpetuating sexual exploitation.

The Slave Next Door by Kevin Bales, Ron Soodalter This examination exposes human trafficking operations within the United States and documents survivors' experiences in contemporary slavery.

Girls Like Us by Rachel Lloyd A former trafficking victim presents research on commercial sexual exploitation of children in America alongside personal accounts from survivors.

Not for Sale by David Batstone This investigation maps modern slavery across five continents and documents the work of activists fighting human trafficking networks.

The Johns by Victor Malarek This investigation examines the role of sex buyers in perpetuating global sexual exploitation and trafficking systems.

🤔 Interesting facts

📚 Kathleen Barry wrote "Female Sexual Slavery" in 1979 as one of the first comprehensive studies of international sex trafficking and forced prostitution. 🌍 The book helped establish the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW), which became a crucial international organization fighting sexual exploitation. 📖 Barry conducted extensive research across four continents and interviewed hundreds of women to document patterns of sexual exploitation and trafficking networks. ⚖️ The work played a significant role in changing international law, contributing to the United Nations' recognition of sex trafficking as a human rights violation. 🎓 The author later expanded on this work in her 1995 book "The Prostitution of Sexuality," which is now considered a foundational text in feminist studies programs worldwide.