The Natashas: The New Global Sex Trade

Christine Schmidt specializes in law and sociology at Laurentian
University.

In this disturbing and heart-wrenching book about the international sex
trade in young girls, Victor Malarek offers an analysis of why the trade
is happening and why governments and justice agencies are either
unwilling or incapable of doing anything about it. In addition to the
latest statistics and interviews with government officials, his book
presents the voices of the victims. Kidnapping, beatings, rape, torture,
and murder define the lives of these young girls. One of the more
bizarre stories concerns a 19-year-old virgin who was auctioned on eBay.

Malarek highlights the sociopolitical climate that allows the
international trafficking in women to continue, as well as the
ideological frameworks surrounding gender, capitalism, ethics, and
greed. Sometimes sarcastic, but always frank, he also challenges the
consumers of these girls—the privileged men who turn a blind eye to
their part in sexual slavery.

The Natashas will be of interest to general readers and is essential
reading for courses in the social sciences—particularly international
law, politics, and gender studies.