BY HONNIE LET B. COQUILLA, CHINKEE A. JUGALBOT, AND ALYANNA L. ORBITA/DSSC INTERNS
HUMAN and sex traffickers have found their way into the fashion industry as provocative photos intended for model portfolios were stolen and sold to online predators in the black market.
During a press conference at SM City Davao on July 22, Pau Garcia, Icon Elites Artist Management president, said bogus talent agencies also take advantage of aspiring models duped with promises of a big payday and fame.
Garcia wanted to raise awareness about the dark side of the modeling and fashion industry as he claimed to have been victimized before. He urged parents to be more proactive and run a background check on agencies before entrusting their kids to these talent agencies.
He also asked Global Impact, a US-based non-profit advocating safer workplaces, to promote legitimate organizations like Icon Elites to help shape parents’ decisions.
According to Global Impact, over 40 million women, children, and even men fall prey to human trafficking worldwide through online or in-person targeting.
