Jan
24
2012
Rescue: 4 Roads to Freedom
Melissa Rescue, Survivor Stories 0
It goes without saying that rescue is a key turning point for trafficked people. But exactly how does it happen? We’ll be looking more at the ins and outs of rescue from human trafficking this year. To get started, here are four main ways victims move from captivity to freedom. Rescue This is the most commonly talked of rescue. The dramatic raid: doors kicked in by police, captives set free by compassionate social workers. This work is the specialty of the International Justice Mission. These rescues are very powerful because only they can free to the most deeply enslaved, theRead more
Dec
29
2011
Dhanyabad! Ar Kun! Khawp Khun! Asante! Thank You!
Melissa Everyday Abolitionist, Partner Organization News, Survivor Stories 0
Thanks for fighting trafficking with STF this year! In this season of thankfulness and family, don’t forget the men, women, and children around the world whose lives have been changed because of everyday abolitionists like you. Thanks to you, not only did we have a direct impact on survivors’ lives by empowering them with safe jobs, fair wages and other benefits, we were also able to make donations to Hagar International and Freeset.
Dec
22
2011
The Power of Before & After
Melissa Survivor Stories, Trafficking News & Information 1
Stop Traffick Fashion is about changing lives. In the rush of the holiday season, take a minute to reflect on the stark, beautiful change in reality that took place this year for people around the world who were rescued from trafficking. Last year, these words (derived directly from their stories) characterized their lives. Then change came: They were rescued or worked for their freedom or were abandoned by their captors, left helpless and alone but with the freedom to start again. In their time of vulnerability, help came along. A friend, a counselor, a family member, a judge. Freeset, Hagar,Read more
Dec
15
2011
A Different Kind of Hustle & Bustle
Melissa Fair Trade, Partner Organization News, Survivor Stories 0
By this point in December, many of you are probably starting to get worn out. Between parties and the mall, life just gets tiring. While most of us could use a bit of downtime, it’s important to remember that being busy doesn’t always mean being frantic and stressed out. Here’s a look at the busy world of 31Bits in Uganda. It’s a place where action brings life and joy. Here’s a bit more about their programs. The women of 31Bits encourage me to find ways to ditch the stress by remaining active in life-changing work.
Dec
06
2011
Give the Gift of Light
Emily Books & Resources, Everyday Abolitionist, Partner Organization News, Survivor Stories 0
Of course, Stop Traffick Fashion has lots of great gifts that bring true joy to Christmas. But we also know that our products don’t fit all of your needs and sometimes you need a gift for that person who has everything. In that situation I always recommend making a donation to an excellent organization in their name, and Hagar International would be an excellent choice! Christmas is defined by light. Trees sparkle, candles glow, and stars glisten as a reminder of God’s light of the world. But in Cambodia, Afghanistan and Vietnam, there are thousands of women and children whoRead more
Nov
23
2011
The Latest from Nicholas Kristof
Emily Books & Resources, Everyday Abolitionist, Survivor Stories, Trafficking News & Information 0
We at STF are big fans of Nicholas Kristof and his op-ed pieces in the NY Times. Last week he posted two excellent articles about trafficking in Cambodia. The first was about a brothel raid that he participated in with an anti-trafficking hero, Somaly Mam. At the end of that article he wrote: Ultimately, the way to end this scourge is to make it less profitable and more risky for the traffickers. Above all, that means targeting not the girls but putting traffickers and pimps in jail, whether in Cambodia or in New York. Slowly, that is happening. I canRead more
Nov
11
2011
News from Afghanistan
Emily Everyday Abolitionist, Partner Organization News, Survivor Stories, Trafficking News & Information 0
Last month, Bronwyn Graham, Hagar Afghanistan Country Director, talked with Norm Nelson of Compassion Radio. In a 20 minute interview, Bronwyn shared her calling to serve and Hagar’s next steps in providing restorative care to some of Afghanistan’s most forgotten. Listen to hear a voice from Afghanistan quite different from what you hear on the news.
Sep
19
2011
Give Hope to Cambodia Through Hagar International
Melissa Everyday Abolitionist, Partner Organization News, Survivor Stories, Trafficking News & Information, Uncategorized 1
Read previous posts about Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge, and what everyday abolitionist can do to help heal Cambodia. Our partner organization Hagar International works extensively with exploited women and children in Cambodia. Here’s how their website summarizes the conditions of Cambodia and the work they do there: Today, most Cambodians live in extreme poverty, with more than 77 percent of the population earning less than $2 a day. Women and children disproportionately bear the burden of intermittent employment and limited access to health and education services. Sexual and domestic violence are also realities within Cambodian society. Extreme poverty, low levelsRead more
Sep
15
2011
STF on OneSimpleAsk.com
Emily Everyday Abolitionist, Press, STF News, Survivor Stories 1
STF was recently featured on OneSimpleAsk.com. From their website: Every edition of the One Simple Ask blog revolves around a theme. Our current focus: the eco-friendly lifestyle. We’re examining how the production and consumption of clothing, personal care items, cosmetics, and other everyday goods and services fit into the local, national, and global marketplaces. We ask: What does a more ethical marketplace look like – and how do we get there? I was excited to learn about their blog because I think it’s a great resource for everyday abolitionists since a huge component of the abolitionist movement is ethical consumerism.Read more
Sep
13
2011
Reclaiming History and Cambodia
Melissa Books & Resources, Everyday Abolitionist, Survivor Stories, Trafficking News & Information 3
Read previous posts about Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge. Last week we looked at some information about the Khmer Rouge and the devastation the remains in Cambodia because of the genocide the Khmer Rouge carried out. If you’re like most Americans, all or part of that information came as a shock to you. As I researched, even knowing some of about the topic beforehand, I thought, This is huge. How on earth did this happen so close to my lifetime, without me having heard about it. It shocks me and makes me outraged at the lack of 20th century worldRead more