An Analysis of who is at stake and what our cause is up against

Stakeholder and Competitive Analysis

Human sex trafficking, sex slavery, touches so many aspects of today’s culture. Yet, much of this is unknown. The following stakeholder analysis will delve into the topic of potential obstacles and challenges to the success of our campaign as well as who are actually at stake and who the key players are. By doing so, we will be able to know where and whom to look for when addressing any concerns relating to the ongoing epidemic that is human sex trafficking.

One of the first and major obstacles is the idea in America that one should mind their own business. Indeed, many crimes are allowed to occur because we do not want to infringe on others’ territory or their lives in general. In fact, it seems as though, rather than turning a blind eye, we just do not see at all. We do not know what to look for and aren’t even looking in the first place. The notion of the nosy neighbor is often frowned upon. This, therefore, is a major challenge to our campaign. In order to succeed, people need to become more aware and actually need to start looking around. In building more and more awareness, we can learn to not allow this epidemic to become a cultural norm within our domestic boundaries and rather prosecute and prevent the problem at hand. These injustices are taking place in our own backyard, in our own neighborhoods. We have the opportunity to help.

Another obstacle is the cultural norm of consumerism. Especially in America, consumerism is king. We are always talking about the economic impact of atrocities, rather than acknowledging that human rights are being violated. Indeed, many don’t even seem to care that this type of consumerism is a product of sexual slave labor. Instead, it is often seen as just another commodity. Once again, it can be dangerous to act upon this commodity as a cultural norm, allowing more and more people to take part in it. Rather, we must prevent the problem at hand and eliminate it from our own backyard to strengthen our cultural as well as rescue the victims at hand.

The United States government is also an obstacle. They, surely, do not want to be seen as a place that harbors slaves. Yet, instead of actually bringing the issue into the open, they focus on the problem in other countries. America is the “land of the free and the home of the brave.” It would tarnish our name and image if it were widely known that sex slaves, or slaves of any kind, were being held in the United States. For this reason, America’s gaze has not been on ourselves but outward. This reasoning also places the United States government as competition. This is because, as mentioned, they would be against raising awareness of the slavery taking place domestically.

Finally, when it comes to obstacles, comedy and public opinion and knowledge should be taken into consideration. Comedy on the subject evades the seriousness of the human rights issue. Instead of looking rationally at the injustices, they are belittled and poked fun at. Next, the public often doesn’t see that there is a difference between prostitution and sexual slavery. While some women did choose to enter this life, they had no idea what sexual slavery was truly going to be like. Many think of Pretty Woman and decide that it probably isn’t that bad of a means to make a living. Yet, the harsh realities set in quickly enough. Others never even ask for such treatment. Unfortunately, the public often fails to see the distinction. Instead of being seen as victims, sex slaves are often viewed as criminals. A clearer distinction needs to be made that those trafficked victims are innocent and helpless women that are having their rights exploited at the hands of criminals who must be prosecuted and brought to justice. This thinking is indeed a challenge to be overcome.

When it comes to stakeholders, the victims are most important. They are the actual women and children who are victims of sexual slavery. Those being subjected to this kind of life are suffering the most from the injustice. Instead of being taken to families that will care for them or to jobs that pay a living wage, these women and children are enslaved and forced into sexual activities. We must also look at the families of these victims. They often do not know where their family members have been taken. Frequently, they also do not realize the severity of their family members’ situation. For instance, many sell their children, with the promise of a better life for them. Family members’ lives are also in jeopardy. In order to coerce cooperation from the victims, traffickers threaten to harm their family members. Besides begin locked up, this only furthers the horrid situation that sex slaves live in.

Next, those who are conducting these operations are stakeholders. They make money from patrons who visit these slaves. Traffickers are often rich, profiting off of the plight of others. They too, would be considered competition. Both the men who typically kidnap women and the women who coerce the slaves would be against our campaign for awareness. The governments of all countries involved are stakeholders. These victims are often taken from their home countries and are brought to other countries illegally. The captors then drain government benefits. The governments have a responsibility to their citizens and to all peoples within its borders to protect them and serve justice. Even if governments do not see these slaves as their problem because they are not citizens of their country, they should still take action. Even if they are only interested for economic reasons, as has been pointed out earlier, governments should choose to act against those who are abusing their economies with illegal actions. The police and border patrol officials are also stakeholders. They are in charge of stopping these horrid offenses. Without their help, sex trafficking will continue. Sadly, many victims of sexual slavery are afraid to report these crimes. Many of their “patrons” are law officials, government employees, or social workers. With this tragedy in mind, who can they turn to?

After that, human rights activists, as well as anyone who is against enslavement, would be considered stakeholders. They have a vested interest in protecting the rights of those who cannot protect their own. People like Kevin Bales, president of Free the Slaves, and all other activists and non-governmental organizations are stakeholders in this issue. The academic field should also be considered. It is there, in academia, that many issues are brought to light. Authors want to see their publishings as more than just statements, but rather, as calls to action. Next, media networks are stakeholders. They have an obligation to deliver the news. This issue is indeed newsworthy. Also, all families with young women and children are stakeholders. As long as they value these family members and friends, they will have an interest in keeping slave “owners” off the streets and unable to do their “business.”

The consumers are stakeholders as well. If it weren’t for their business, the slave “owners” would have no market to promote in. It is these consumers that keep the atrocities of sexual slavery from falling apart. Indeed, if there were no demand there would be no supply. For this reason, consumers would also be competition to our campaign. Undoubtedly, they know that their acts are illegal and would not wish for awareness of the injustices to rise.

In the end, there are numerous aspects to consider when examining the issue of sexual slavery. Not all stakeholders, as can be seen, are working towards justice. While this list, surely, is not comprehensive, it does delve into many widely unknown areas of the issue.