The International Labour Organisation estimated 6.9 million victims of modern slavery were in commercial sexual exploitation. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports, “the internet can be used to broadcast or livestream acts of exploitation, reaching a large base of consumers in different locations throughout different regions of the world.” Viewers of non-consensual pornography are either bystanders or witnesses. You can make a difference for the victim by reporting to the site and to the authorities. 

I am a victim of modern day slavery. I am being barred from living an enjoyable life so that my perpetrators can make disgusting sexual videos of me that depict serious violence, for profit. Every person that sees these videos online, without taking action, is a bystander. Turning these bystanders into witnesses, by normalising reporting this illegal content, is an opportunity for the victim to gain support and freedom. 

Perpetrators who profit financially from online sexual exploitation are getting away. In an era of social media and online communication, the exposure of sex trafficking, sex slavery and slavery-like practices can be an opportunity, or a curse. If we don’t report what we see online, the victim remains cursed and enslaved. The perpetrator thrives, bringing down all but their own greed: the victim, honest work, the economy, and the fairness of the system. 

What you see, is an opportunity to stop the victimisation of an innocent person who deserves a free life. You can report it. Being the only one standing up against unsettling pornographic content is noble, and of virtue. 

Modern slavery is everyone’s problem. When we work for what we have, there is someone out there making more stealing from others. Sometimes, it is something that can be replaced. Other times, it is someone’s whole life, future, hopes and dreams. 

When you see a violent and non-consensual situation next to adult content creators who are there by choice, it is you who has the choice for that video. Modern slavery and slavery are forced upon the victim, whether by threat, coercion, or deception, or blatant exercise of the powers attaching to the right of ownership over the human victim. We are silenced. When you see it, it is you who can speak up. 

Every day, heinous acts are disguised and shared as somewhat consensual pornography. We need to think critically, beyond the label written by someone we can see raping someone. We need to ignore the wording that comforts us of what we know in our gut is vile and illegal.

This is not pornography. This is evidence of severely violent crimes and modern day slavery. “It’s not cool to report pornography”. It is cool to protect victims who are not making pornography, but are being held down and exploited, and disgraced with no choice and no witness. 

You may consider the bystander effect in real life. Do you consider that you may be a bystander when you see violent pornography- that all but describes a non-consensual instance of sex slavery? 

The arrogance of the perpetrator is also their weakness. They want millions of people to like, engage, and fund the unspeakable online content; to fill their pockets with what they never deserved. What they are not prepared for is the people who care taking action against them. In a digital era, where a report can be a few clicks, the power is in our hands. 

Stop standing by. Report what you see; to the website; to the app; and to the authorities. You are not supporting free choice when you ignore what you see. Support the victim and report the rape, abuse, torture and slavery you see labelled as, ‘pornography’.