Dirty Work

In March it is 200 years since the abolition of the slave trade yet still youngsters are traded today, mainly as house slaves and sex workers. This important novel tackles the issue head on resulting in a shocking and uncomfortable read. 50p from the sale of each book goes to UNICEF.

Bell deftly interweaves the stories of Oksana Droski and Hope Tasker as they fall prey to the dreadful child trafficking trade. With the former there is a back story of deprivation and hopelessness in post-communist Russia, making her an easy target for grooming and subsequently a victim for Europe-wide humiliation, degradation and exploitation. Hope, on the other hand, is virtually kidnapped cold into the desperate and violent world, where her virginity is a big bonus as far as her pimps are concerned.

Despite its grim content, which I’ve no doubt is in fact toned down from reality, this is an unputdownable read and one which demands empathy and sympathy. Spot on for provoking a response in Current Affairs or PHSE during the March Bicentenary coverage of Wilberforce and the abolition of slavery.