May
15
2012
Money: The Driving Force Behind Human Trafficking
Melissa Everyday Abolitionist, Trafficking News & Information 0
There are many ways to define human trafficking. It’s an international crime. It’s an affront to human dignity. It’s also a huge business. This last view is particularly helpful for two reasons: 1. Money is what traffickers are focused on. 2. We’re all consumers so we can all help. Here’s just how big the business is: The United Nations estimates unlawful sex trafficking generates approximately $5,000,000,000 a year in revenues. The trafficking industry as a whole generates about $32 billion each year. About $15.5 billion is made in industrialized countries and $9.7 billion in Asia. Each forced laborer generates anRead more
Feb
24
2012
Empowering Women Through Education
Melissa Books & Resources, Empower Women 0
Let’s begin with an understatement: the positive effects of education are far reaching. Education gives women opportunities to earn money, confidence in themselves, and a much wider array of options in life. Even basic literacy helps a woman get a job or use public transportation. Critical thinking skills help her succeed in business and see if people are trying to cheat her. So it’s no wonder traffickers often go after uneducated women. They’re less likely to figure out what’s happening right away, and when they do figure it out, they’re less likely to be able to do something about it.Read more
Jan
26
2012
Meet the STF Volunteers: Jennifer Bast
Stop Traffick Fashion thrives because of the wonderful people who help run our events, tally and tag our inventory, design our print and online materials, photograph our merchandise, spread the word about trafficking, host home parties, and more. They’re an integral part of empowering women and ending human trafficking. Seriously—they’re great people. And we want you to meet them! Tell us a bit about yourself. I’m a dreamer, an introvert, a singer-songwriter/worship leader, and an amateur artist. I love adventure and welcome change. I am always planning and eagerly anticipating my next road trip. I’m 33 years old and haveRead 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
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
Oct
19
2011
Enter to Win a Copy of “God in a Brothel”
Emily Books & Resources, Everyday Abolitionist, Partner Organization News, Trafficking News & Information 0
From Hagar International: Today, many people have become aware of the prevalence of sex trafficking, but few of us understand what really happens behind the closed doors of a brothel. Daniel Walker’s poignant read, “God in a Brothel” digs deep into the darkness of sex trafficking, and exposes the injustice, the violence, and the trauma women and children experience around the world. As Daniel shares his personal journey as an undercover agent, his honesty is haunting and reveals not just his passion and zeal, but also the challenges he faced in pursuing justice. Read Daniel’s book and hear the individual storiesRead more
Sep
28
2011
Thank You!
Emily Events, Everyday Abolitionist, STF News 1
Thank you to everyone in Cincinnati who came out to support Hagar International at our Restore benefit on Saturday. We raised money for Hagar and people learned more about human trafficking and how they can help – I’d say that’s a success! We had a great time with a photo booth at the event and the pictures are now posted on our Facebook page – head over there to catch some of the fun. If you couldn’t make it but would like to donate, go to Hagar’s website and enter “Restore” in the comments box.
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
19
2011
Everyday Abolitionist: Maria Van Hoorn
Melissa Everyday Abolitionist, Partner Organization News 0
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 Maria Van Hoorn who works with Hagar USA. RESTORE, our benefit event for Hagar, is this Saturday! If you want to support this benefit for Hagar and can’t come to the show, you can donate to Hagar online and put RESTORE in the comments on the donation page. How did you first find out about human trafficking? I was enrolled in a Peace and Justice course in college and we focusedRead 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