The Cure for Late-Winter Apathy

Melissa     Partner Organization News, Survivor Stories, Trafficking News & Information     0

I’ve been struggling with some late-winter apathy. I’m tired and unmotivated (hence, in part, the silence on the blog). Fighting human trafficking sometimes seems just too impossible and exhausting (I mean, how can I make a real difference in the world if I can’t always keep this blog updated?). But IJM and its president Gary Haugen provide two important reminders: 1. At the Justice Conference last month, Gary talked about the long, tedious road to justice. Perseverance is not always glamorous, but it’s powerful. (This video is absolutely worth watching; it was one of my favorite talks at the conference.)Read more

---

Considering End of Year Giving?

Melissa     Empower Women, Partner Organization News     0

As holiday shopping draws to a close, you may be considering making end of year donations. Here are some organizations that have an impact on human trafficking, ethical fashion, and empowering women: Hagar International is a Christian organization that is committed to individualized, long-term assistance, using the social enterprise model as a tool for social rehabilitation and economic empowerment. Hagar works with women and children from backgrounds of violence, abuse and trafficking and supports them in their recovery, rehabilitation, job readiness and community reintegration. International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexualRead more

---

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

---

Freedom Commons

Melissa     Books & Resources     0

I’m only slightly kidding when I say that I’ve missed the interactive US maps that seem to be everywhere online during election season. If you’re a map-lover like me, you’ll love IJM’s Freedom Commons. It has an interactive map so you can see what’s going on in your state to stop human trafficking. Plus, it shows you breaking news and ways to take action against human trafficking. Here’s more from Freedom Commons: The Freedom Commons helps you gather with others and take action to pass anti-slavery legislation in the U.S. and support U.S. leaders in the fight to end slavery. Whether  you’re anRead more

---

Why Aftercare Is Vital

Melissa     Empower Women, Survivor Stories     0

Rescue is an unspeakably critical turning point for victims of human trafficking; but aftercare is what turns a victim into a survivor. It helps women heal from the physical and emotion trauma they’ve faced, and it gives them a marketable skill they can use to provide for themselves and their families. As healed, capable women they develop an enduring sense of dignity and pride. This combination of education and self-worth is the best defense against being trafficked again. And, as the icing on the cake, these women create beautiful jewelry, clothing, and accessories—Stop Traffick Fashion exists because of successful aftercare.Read more

---

The Latest Trafficking in Persons Report

Melissa     Trafficking News & Information     4

Each year the U.S. Department of State, led by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, releases a Trafficking in Persons Report that examines the status of the problem of human trafficking across the globe. The report rates countries on their efforts to eradicate trafficking. Read the report here. We’ll be posting more about it in the future. Watch Clinton introduce the report: Here’s what’s being said about the report around the web: CNN’s summary: Trafficking report spotlights slavery efforts Each country is put into one of four grades – Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier Two Watch and Tier Three. Tier 1Read more