(partial text; see link above for full text)
Today, the buying and selling of women and children for sexual purposes is one of the most profitable criminal activities in the world. Each year, an estimated one million children enter the global sex trade. On the Internet, child pornography and enticement of children for sexual purposes are the most significant cyber crimes, and distribution of obscene materials is the most under prosecuted cyber crime. Tolerance of the sex trade around the world has resulted in increased prostitution, sex tourism, and ubiquitous pornography. These forms of sexual exploitation have devastating consequences for the health and well being of millions of women and children. Victims suffer from physical injuries, psychological trauma, addictions, and infectious and sexually transmitted diseases. For the majority of victims their survival is at risk. (Dr. Donna M. Hughes, professor at the University of Rhode Island) webct.uri.edu/public/WMS490_Hughes/
The trafficking of women and children on the Internet is of important ethical concern. According to a report in 2000, more than 40,000 sex-related sites exist on the Internet. Moreover, pornographic sites bring in the most revenues: "Adult materials account for 69% of the $1.4 billion pay-to-view online-content market, far outpacing video games (4%) and sports (2%)" ( Koerner, US News and World Report). In fact, some analysts believe that the growth of the Internet has happened because of the immense sex consumption taking place on the Internet, especially in pornography, sex tourism, and mail-order bride Web sites.
