A small group of seniors will be showing a documentary on sex-trafficking in Phillips Auditorium at 7 p.m. tonight.
The documentary is titled “Nefarious: Merchant of Souls.” Senior Esther Ashmore described the film as “a startling glimpse of the horror of sex-trafficking in the world at large.”
Ashmore first viewed the documentary after spending two months in Uganda this past summer.
“The reason why my first thought was to bring it to Hillsdale was because the environment here at Hillsdale is not really reality. I mean it is our reality because we are here, but the rest of the world is vastly different,and I believe we are very naive.”
Upon returning to campus, Ashmore showed the documentary to a group of friends. The group quickly agreed with Ashmore’s assessment that the campus’ needed to see the film.
The group is hoping to raise awareness about this industry that brings in more money a year than the NBA, NFL, and MLB combined and has effects seen on every continent.
The film spends a majority of time focussing on the problems in Europe and Asia, but it also covers the issues found in America. There are stories from women who were in or still are in the industry, along with former “Johns,” men who traffic women.
The first hour of the documentary informs viewers on the leading causes in the industry followed with a half hour of stories of survivors of the industry.
“It changed our lives and we hope to do the same in the lives of the students of Hillsdale College,” Ashmore said. “You can’t help but be burdened to do something when you are finished watching this documentary.”
– Kelsey Drapkin
