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

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Justice and Rescue: The International Justice Mission

Melissa     Partner Organization News, Rescue     0

The International Justice Mission is a powerful force against human trafficking. They participate in the most well-know kind of rescue: the brothel raid. IJM’s rescues typically target children, the most vulnerable and helpless victims of human trafficking. They do the painstaking work of collaborating with local law enforcement and court systems to pursue freedom and justice. Their work frees women and children and slowly but surely pushes legal systems worldwide to take an active role in fighting human trafficking. IJM also works to equip everyday people to be a voice for freedom in government and legal systems. Sign this petitionRead more

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Everyday Abolitionist: Jamie Elkins

Melissa     Everyday Abolitionist     3

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 Jamie Elkins who works with the Crossover Foundation. Read about more Everyday Abolitionists. Love and Sacrifice In Erwin McManus’s The Barbarian Way, he says that “…love and sacrifice cannot be separated.”  In 2008, I unknowingly began a journey when I first learned about the trafficking of women and children happening in South Asia. My heart ached for the millions of women and children suffering abuse in isolation as a result ofRead more

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Meet the STF Volunteers: Jennifer Bast

Melissa     STF News     1

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

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Rescue: 4 Roads to Freedom

Melissa     Rescue, Survivor Stories     2

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

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Raiding a Brothel in Sonagachi

Melissa     Partner Organization News, Survivor Stories, Trafficking News & Information     1

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author of Half the Sky, Nicholas Kristof writes about accompanying IJM officials and local law enforcement on a brothel raid in Kolkata to free young girls. This is the neighborhood where Freeset works (they make these). Impeccably well written. A startling story of hope in a dark dark place. Read it here.