The press today continues its focus on the plight of Dominican women who migrate to Europe and other areas only to suffer exploitation and abuse. Studies show that an estimated 30,000 women from the DR have traveled to Europe using the connections of people-traffickers. 70% are under the age of 25, and many work in vulnerable conditions in the sex trade. These statistics were quoted by Juan Artola, the representative for the International Migration Organization, which lists the DR as fourth on the list of countries which “export? sex workers, following Thailand, Brazil and the Philippines in the top spots.