Only a handful of the victims realized they were being brought from Brazil to Europe to work as prostitutes, while the majority of them were convinced they were moving to work as models and dancers. Forced under the threat of death, the men were crowded into tiny quarters, coerced into paying their captors a 200 euro “accommodation fee,” and fed sexual stimulants like Viagra and cocaine in order to be available for “non-stop” sex 24 hours a day. Thankfully, the victims of the sex ring have now been liberated, but the scars of sexual exploitation are felt regardless of gender.

Elsewhere, more positive messages of sexual awareness are being spread through fashion—and camels. An exhibition called “The Soul Has No Color” kicked off in Bogota, Colombia this week, sporting over 12,000 condoms to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS protection and, as the designer said, “the value of life.” And, across the pond, activists are promoting the same awareness and education, by bringing condoms to remote areas in Kenya via moving camel-back clinics. Any way it takes to get the message across!

In news of other crossing, over 450 people were drawn to the Losevo Rapids near St. Petersburg for the eight annual Bubble Baba Challenge—racing inflatable sex dolls down the river. Festooned with names like “Unstoppable Chick,” “Sexual Goddess” and “Indefatigable,” men and women rode their inflatable toys down the river in a competition that proves “A Rubber Babe is More Than Just a Vehicle.” Apparently, it’s also a life-saving flotation device.