The DUPB sponsored documentary screening of “Born into Brothels” last Thursday gave a chilling depiction of the problem of prostitution and human trafficking around the world.Professor Claude d’Estree, chair of the DU Task Force on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, gave a brief introduction to the film citing that human trafficking is a bigger issue than most people think. “There are 1,400 people trafficked into the United States alone, most of whom are women and children. Of these people, 46 percent will be turned into sex slaves,” said d’Estree. The mission of the DU task force is to increase awareness on the impact of human trafficking, interface with governmental entities seeking timely research, and to provide opportunities for DU graduate students to gain hands on experience working with these issues and gain internships in related organization. The DU task force works in collaboration with Project Polaris, a non-governmental organization that works both nationally and locally to combat all forms of human trafficking. With offices in major cities all around the United States, Project Polaris takes a comprehensive approach to its work, combining four key strategies of direct intervention, survivor support, policy advocacy and movement-building.”This problem is not at arms distance, it is right here in this town,” said d’Estree, citing that brothels in Denver are becoming an increasing problem.The documentary itself focused on the red light district in Calcutta, India, and the children that grow up there. The film spotlights Zana Briski, a film maker who chose to show what it is like to be a child growing up amidst prostitution and poverty. Through giving the children cameras and allowing them to take pictures of their life in the brothel, the audience gets to see life through the eyes of these children.The film shows that above all, these children are much like most children, yet their future in their current situation is bleak. The children born to prostitutes are born into an inescapable cycle. From birth they are stigmatized by society and have a very slim chance of getting out of the brothels and having a normal life. Although many of these children want to get an education, very few schools will accept them due to their prostitute mothers. “One has to accept life as being sad and painful,” said one young boy featured in the documentary that goes on to say, “there is nothing called ‘hope’ in my future.”The film does nothing to sugar coat the lives of these children and shows that unless something is done to stop prostitution, children will continue to be born into these situations. Those at the screening were encouraged to get involved with organizations such as the DU Task Force and Polaris Project. For more information, students can go to www.PolarisProject.org/Colorado.htm.