Human Trafficking, Child Sex Slavery and Sex Tourism

Trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation is a social problem, which has marred the reputations of Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia and Thailand. Estimates on the extent of this problem vary dramatically and research on child sexual exploitation in these countries is almost nonexistent. This workshop will present the findings from observations and interviews with government officials, non-governmental organization (NGO) workers, and women and children involved in the sex industry in Cambodia and Thailand. These findings reveal the complex nature and inner workings of this industry from those who live with it on a daily basis. The presentation continually explores the connectivity, ramifications, and impact of the sex trade as observed in South East Asia on human trafficking and child exploitation in the United States. It is emotionally powerful and shows hidden videos of young girls working in brothels in South East Asia. Based on this study, implications for change are discussed.

Robert W. Taylor

Dr. Robert W. Taylor is currently the Executive Director of the W.W. Caruth Jr. Police Institute at Dallas. The primary mission of the Institute is to provide direction and coordination of major training and research projects for the Dallas Police Department.  The Institute represents a national “think tank” on urban policing, and is located at the Dallas Police Department Headquarters.   He is also an instructor for the U.S. Department of State, Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program and teaches internationally to executives of foreign governments.  In 2004, Dr. Taylor was asked by the International Justice Mission in Washington, D.C. to assist in the training of the Cambodian National Police on child sex slavery and human trafficking as part of a large project funded through the U.S. Department of State ($1 million).  His interest and research in this area has led to a leadership role in designing and developing training efforts in the United States aimed at raising awareness of the human trafficking tragedy for American law enforcement officers, funded in part through the U.S. Department of Justice.   Dr. Taylor focuses on the nexus between human trafficking, drug trafficking and the financing of terrorist incidents internationally and domestically.