You know why autocrats feign concern for sex trafficking?

Because universally we all agree that taking young girls and raping them is wrong.

You know why autocrats often are linked to sex trafficking?

Because they don’t see themselves as rapists or monsters.

🧵
When they think of what a “sex trafficker” that person is a non-white man from a foreign country who is dumb and evil and is someone else.

They do not imagine that person to be a white man, educated, successful in business or politics.

They do not imagine someone like them.

2/
And because they do not imagine someone like them—they never stop to consider whether they themselves are rapists, too.

After all, they’re wealthy and well-respected. Monsters aren’t.

They’re handsome and charismatic. Monsters aren’t.

3/
They’re able to attract women. Monsters aren’t.

They’re too smart. Too desirable. Too competent. Monsters aren’t.

They’re confident. They’re the kind of men women dream of, right? Monsters aren’t.

4/
So in their mind, even if a powerful man pays for sex, the woman wanted it.

Even if a powerful man forces that woman to do something against her will, it’s not rape.

Because powerful men are able to buy and sell and trade whatever they want.

Monsters aren’t.

5/
These type of people don’t see themselves as rapists or sex traffickers because we live in a culture that protects the future of young men even if it destroys the life of the person he raped.

It starts in high-school or college.

We’re told “they’re just kids.”

6/
“This could ruin his life!”

As if being raped does anything other than tear your apart.

So the monster grows. He’s emboldened by his actions. After all, teachers + deans + principals just told him his actions weren’t that bad.

7/
And if those actions aren’t that bad when you’re 16 or 18 or 22 then why would they be that bad when you’re 30 or 38 or 55 or 74?

If those actions aren’t that bad when you’re a student why would they be that bad when you’re a banker or teacher or Congressman or President?

8/
And it’s not just you—you’re able to sit with the guys and joke with your friends about this time or that time and how you got out of trouble or away from the crazy girl.

And, of course, monsters would never do that. Brag about rape. Pay for sex. Molest children.

9/
But that’s what these people do.

They don’t see the horror or criminality of their actions.

Just as the domestic terrorists are unable to see their insurrection for what it is, so too are rapists unable to see their crimes for what they are.

10/
The most vile monsters are not the ones who look scary, who wear creepy masks, or who walk around with butcher knives.

The most vile monsters look like the people you know + trust, who wear suits, who walk around smiling + shaking hands.

Haunting us in broad daylight.

11/11
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