Jun
28
2009
Hagar Afghanistan has launched!
Emily Partner Organization News, Trafficking News & Information 0
An update from Hagar International: Afghanistan is a country in crisis with more than half of its people living below the poverty line. It faces major shortages of housing, clean water, electricity, access to medical care and food. Rape (both within and outside of marriage), forced marriage, prostitution, gender – based violence, and bonded labor are all common. Denial of rights to disabled women and children is widespread. The combination of these conditions have created a situation for the exploitation and trafficking of women to flourish. Population: 32 million Age structure: It is one of the youngest populations in theRead more
Jun
24
2009
Clean Chocolate
Melissa Uncategorized 0
There’s a lot of buzz about fair trade chocolate. Here’s information about exactly what slavery is like in the chocolate industry. These are some of the least appetizing few sentences I can ever remember reading: Children enslaved and abused in the cocoa industry are made to work excruciatingly long days, and are often beaten if they try and leave or refuse to work. Many have been forced to pick cocoa with open wounds, or covered in their own excrement. But there’s something you can do! The article give links to call Hershey’s or email some of their VPs. It’s anRead more
Jun
23
2009
Make a difference TODAY
Emily Partner Organization News, Trafficking News & Information 0
Here are two ways you can make a difference in the fight against trafficking today: 1. Go to IJM’s website to send a letter to your representative in Congress. Urge them to support the Child Protection Compact Act. It will provide financial resources to select countries to help them develop their justice systems in a way to better fight trafficking. 2. Buy Fairtrade strawberries. Change.org’s recent post highlights the exploitation of slave labor in harvesting strawberries. If we pay a few more cents we can be sure that slaves didn’t pick what we’re eating!
Jun
19
2009
Be a freedom fighter
Emily Product Information, STF News 0
Our featured item for the launch of Stop Traffick Fashion is our Freedom Tote. This black jute tote bag has cotton lined handles with purple Stop Traffick Fashion graphics. Help us fight for freedom and spread the word about human trafficking with this versatile tote. In addition to our regular donations, an extra $5.00 from the sales will go to International Justice Mission. The bag is from our Freeset collection. Freeset natural jute bags are handmade by women escaping the sex trade of Calcutta, India. Each woman has been trained and employed by Freeset. Instead of remaining victims of exploitation,Read more
Jun
18
2009
It doesn’t just happen to girls
Emily Partner Organization News, Trafficking News & Information 0
Below is an update I received from Jane Tafel, the Executive Director of Hagar USA. Please read it to find out about their pilot program to help boys in Cambodia who are victims of sexual abuse. It’s one more way you can help take a small step toward big change! Sexual abuse is a devastating experience for anyone. Successful healing is most likely when care is provided promptly, holistically, and compassionately. Unfortunately, such care has not been available to boy victims in Cambodia. The lack of any specialized services has meant that boys are often vulnerable to repeat victimization.
Jun
17
2009
Can we make a difference?
Emily Partner Organization News, STF News 0
In the face of such an overwhelming problem like human trafficking, it’s natural to feel paralyzed and wonder what in the world we can do to make a difference. Jen Taylor has the same thoughts and has recommended Stop Traffick Fashion – along with other ways you can make a difference in the world, in her latest blog post. (Thanks Jen!) It’s refreshing to hear good news about how people are making a difference and how we can get invovled. This post from Rapha House talks about their approach to rehabilitation. They’ve recently been able to help two new girlsRead more
Jun
17
2009
Clinton supports anti-trafficking partnerships
Emily Trafficking News & Information 0
In light of the Trafficking in Persons report mentioned in the previous post, Hillary Rodham Clinton wrote an opinion piece in the Washington Post. Let’s hope that the sentiments expressed on behalf of the Obama administration result in new efforts and improvements in the fight against trafficking.
Jun
17
2009
Trafficking in Persons Report 2009
Melissa Uncategorized 0
The U.S. Department of State recently released the Trafficking in Persons Report for the year. It’s an impressive document that looks at every country in the world and evaluates whether they’re doing enough to eliminate trafficking. You can download it as a whole or in small pieces. I’d recommend downloading and scrolling through the Introduction. The intro talks about the criteria they look for and then summarizes the findings. It has some interesting charts and maps, as well as stories of people around the world who are making a difference for trafficked people. One of the significant findings of thisRead more
Jun
15
2009
The Big Day!
Melissa Uncategorized 0
We sent out the first orders from Stop Traffick Fashion today! Thanks for your support! Help us get the word out. Tell your friends. Post on facebook and twitter and your blog. And sport the new handbags and jewelry that you bought from Stop Traffick Fashion! (Also, check out the announcement on change.org.)
Jun
12
2009
A Bit More About Brazil
Melissa Trafficking News & Information 0
As I was preparing this week’s posts about Brazil, I came across this post by Amanda Kloer at change.org. There is serious concern that the demand for ethanol is increasing the slave population in Brazil. It baffles me that our lust for green products supersedes our need to value for human life. Is this driven by ignorance? I’m not sure. But Father Tiago’s words in the article are an ominous warning: “The promise of biofuel is a lie. Anyone who buys ethanol is pumping blood into his tank. Ethanol is produced by slaves.” There has to be a way toRead more