Apr
23
2013
Videos and Resources from MTVU
Melissa Books & Resources 0
MTVU’s Against Our Will campaign has some compelling media and resources about human trafficking, especially in the United States. While much of the site is geared toward college students, the messages resonate with anyone who wants to do something to stop human trafficking. See all their videos here. In the video above, P!nk reads a poem by a survivor of trafficking named Jennifer. The full text of the poem is below. Experience more survivor poetry here. I Remember by Jennifer, age unknown I remember who I really am The gentle and caring person that lives deep within The one afraidRead more
Apr
18
2013
Even More Help for Human Trafficking Victims from Polaris Project
Melissa Books & Resources, Everyday Abolitionist 0
We’ve shared many times about the work of Polaris Project and their Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-3737-888!), but now there’s even more power at Polaris Project: 1. You can now text the hotline: text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733). This is a particularly powerful tool when advocates are able to get this information to victims of human trafficking, such as through the SOAP Project. 2. The hotline is global! Here’s more from the announcement: Polaris Project announced the launch of the Global Human Trafficking Hotline Network today, a new alliance of anti-trafficking hotlines that will build a broader safety netRead more
Apr
04
2013
Screening of Girl Rising
Melissa Books & Resources, Empower Women, Events 0
The documentary Girl Rising is about the power of education in the lives of girls around the world. The film examines life stories that show how literacy and education empower women. STF is hosting a screening in Cincinnati through Gathr on Monday, May 13—buy tickets here by April 26. (If you’re not in Cincinnati, find a screening in your area on Gathr.) Here’s more about the film from the website: From Academy Award-nominated director Richard E. Robbins and the award-winning producers of The Documentary Group and Vulcan Productions, strategic partner, Intel Corporation, and distribution partners CNN Films and Gathr,Read more
Jan
31
2013
Teens at Risk of Human Trafficking
Melissa Books & Resources, Empower Women 0
Chosen, a documentary about human trafficking by Shared Hope, “tells the shockingly true story of two ‘All-American’ teenage girls tricked into trafficking. Eighteen-year-old Brianna was an honor-roll student, cheerleader and worked at a local café. Thirteen-year-old Lacy was an active member of her youth group, and a volunteer in her community. Both were manipulated. Both were exploited. Both were chosen.” Stories like these highlight why Susan Norris’s young adult novel and UNICEF’s teen curriculum are so vital to the fight against trafficking. Read more about Brianna’s story. After school Brianna waitressed at a diner in her small Washington state town. Richard,Read more
Jan
29
2013
Teaching Teens About Human Trafficking
Melissa Books & Resources 0
Last week we heard from Susan Norris who is the author of Rescuing Hope, a novel for young adults about human trafficking. Her work highlights the vital task of letting children and teens know about human trafficking. Not only are they at risk of being trafficked, but they have a unique opportunity to stop trafficking among their peers. They see the lives of other teens in ways and at times that most adults do not. If they know the risks, they can protect themselves and let adults know when other kids are in vulnerable situations. Plus, teens can rally behindRead more
Jan
24
2013
Everyday Abolitionist: Susan Norris
Melissa Books & Resources, Everyday Abolitionist 1
Everyday Abolitionist is a recurring feature on the blog where we’ll hear firsthand from someone using their skills, talents, and opportunities to fight trafficking. This time around we have Susan Norris who is a mom, public speaker, and author of Rescuing Hope, a young adult novel about sex trafficking in the United States. Here’s Susan‘s full bio: A powerful voice for hope, international speaker Susan Norris helps teens and women find freedom from strongholds in the areas of purity and spiritual identity. In her debut novel, Rescuing Hope, she frames the realities of sex trafficking in America. This woman of boldness, knownRead more
Jan
22
2013
More Than Just Awareness
Melissa Books & Resources, Empower Women, Everyday Abolitionist 0
One of my pet peeves is the phrase “raise awareness” (it’s an odd pet peeve, I know). It bugs me because too often it’s use as a general, feel-good term for activism that’s a bit nebulous and purposeless. I know it’s not always that way. Great people are doing great work to raise awareness of big issues—including human trafficking. But when someone says something about “raising awareness” I get frustrated if they don’t say how or toward what end—or worse, if they don’t even explain of what. That’s why I love this article: Kavitha Sreeharsha and Kelly Heinrich of the Global Freedom CenterRead more
Nov
28
2012
Which Apparel Companies Make Ethical Fashion?
Melissa Books & Resources, Ethical Fashion 1
Free2work has compiled a comprehensive report on supply chain ethics in the apparel industry. It’s an impressive and useful document that can help you make more confident decisions in your holiday shopping. Below is more about the report. And a sample of one of the data charts—this chart is an overview; there are more specific ones for each topic. I love how the charts can give me a quick sense of how well a company’s efforts match my commitment to ethical fashion. Free2Work grades are an indication of the extent to which companies have traced their suppliers and established managementRead more
Nov
22
2012
Thank YOU from STF
Melissa Books & Resources, Empower Women, Ethical Fashion, Everyday Abolitionist 0
Here are five reason we at STF are thankful for you—our readers and customers—this year. 1. You’re committed to learning more about human trafficking and you’re becoming everyday abolitionists. 2. You love ethical fashion. 3. You’re savvy shoppers—which is why you’ll be back here on Fair Tuesday. 4. You’re thankful for some of the same fantastic organizations we are that are empowering women and fighting human trafficking. 5. You’re motivated to action by stories of hope. Learn about ethical fashion. Shop products made by survivors of human trafficking. Be a part of the solution: Be part of Stop Traffick Fashion.
Nov
20
2012
Much to Be Thankful For
Melissa Books & Resources, Empower Women, Partner Organization News, Trafficking News & Information 0
There’s lots to be thankful for this time of year. From food to family to finances, most of us have quite a few things going for us. But just like looking past myself in hard times helps me broaden my perspective, being thankful for things beyond my own life enriches this thankful time of year. So here are a few organizations and people doing good around the world that I am very thankful for. They are changing lives in ways that I never could even imagine. They’re empowering women and fighting human trafficking in very real, very powerful ways. IJMRead more