Hello Rewind; Or, How Your Laptop Found Its Home

Hat tip to my good friend Johnny Fitz for finding this cool site.  "Hello Rewind" takes your favorite old t-shirt and turns it into a comfy, protective home for your laptop--and simultaneously provides training and an alternate source of income for survivors of NYC sex trafficking.

Image from Hello Rewind

By partnering with Restore NYC, Hello Rewind works with sex trafficking survivors--many of whom don't speak much English, but now have the opportunity to learn--and teaches them a skill to support themselves outside of the brothel.  Check out some additional details on their work here: http://blog.hellorewind.com/some-additional-thoughts.

The process goes like this: 

You select the size of laptop case you want; pay $49; and Hello Rewind sends you a prepaid envelope for your t-shirt of choice. Once you've mailed the shirt in, they work with the sex trafficking survivors to make it into a beautiful, handy, and soft little case, and mail it back to you.  Voila!  It's a way to protect your laptop and also feel like you've done something to protect a woman from being pulled back into a life of sex trafficking and endless cycle of prostitution.

High fives to the people behind Hello Rewind for thinking way outside of themselves when they created this business model.

Super Bowl XLIV

I will be rooting for the Colts with all my heart tomorrow... but this will be on my mind, too.


CNN: Volunteers try to help young sex workers on Super Bowl weekend

"I don't want the idea [of fighting underage sex trafficking] to go away when Super Bowl ends. The reality is that it's more concentrated on Super Bowl weekend, but they're still out there come Monday morning." - Eddy Ameen, StandUp For Kids Miami

It's funny how important a football game can seem until you remember what's going on outside of the stadium, tomorrow and every day thereafter.  That's when it becomes clear that there is a much more crucial battle to be won.

Sex + Money: A Search for Human Worth

Watch the preview of a full-length film by college students in 2007.
Can't wait to see this and read the corresponding book: Sex + Money.

January: National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

 Image by Axlot

In all of the news today about Google's "Super phone," I hope you didn't miss an important announcement from the White House.  President Obama has declared January to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

You can read the official proclamation here, and I've pulled my favorite part below:

"We must join together as a Nation and global community to provide that safe haven by protecting victims and prosecuting traffickers. With improved victim identification, medical and social services, training for first responders, and increased public awareness, the men, women, and children who have suffered this scourge can overcome the bonds of modern slavery, receive protection and justice, and successfully reclaim their rightful independence.

Fighting modern slavery and human trafficking is a shared responsibility. This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking. Together, we can and must end this most serious, ongoing criminal civil rights violation." - President Barack Obama

As we begin our first week of resolutions, I have a new one to throw in to the mix: becoming increasingly aware of the suffering of others and what we can do to ease that suffering.  To get you started, check out this great list of actionable items that you can do to help end human trafficking and slavery in 2010: http://www.endslaverynow.com/take_action.  There's something on there that every single person has the power to do.  Use this honorary month as motivation to lend a hand and get started!

Links of Light: Recommended Posts on Trafficking

There are some really great bloggers out there that are consistently writing good posts on child trafficking and modern-day slavery.  So I'm introducing a new, semi-regular category called Links of Light that will pick out some of my recent favorites by other bloggers and share them with you.

The first installment: 

• Regarding Thanks--and Giving: some tales of selfless giving to Love146, even during hard economic times, written by their wonderful accounting administrator, Jennifer Franz. 
  
• "They are Merchandise Because They Are Just Pounds of Meat:" a look at the documentary "Lives for Sale" by Diana Scimone. Diana jotted down some thoughts she had as she watched the film, including this telling quote from a state attorney in the U.S. who prosecutes traffickers:  "One of the first things I have to do is convince a jury that slavery actually exists."
• "Human Rights Remain Off the Radar Screen:" an op-ed by Paul Bernish on President Obama's recent trip to Asia and the lack of any direct address to human rights violations in the area. 
  
• "Incredible Slavery Survivor-Activists Honored at Freedom Awards:" an encouraging look from the Emancipation Network at two modern-day heros in the fight against human trafficking.  Read about how Sina Vann and Veero are singlehandedly saving hundreds of their neighbors from the slavery they escaped from.   
  

Got any other good recent posts to share?  Please link to them in the comments so we can all take a read!

Image by Moriza

GEMS Girls and You Will Survive

GEMS Girls and the Council of Daughters are asking for your photos of support.

In conjunction with the launch of a song re-recorded specially for GEMS by Sinead O'Connor and Mary J. Blige called "This is to Mother You," the organizations are collecting encouraging photographs from people all over the country with the message "You will survive."

Here's how it works:
Go to this website and download a PDF sign for printing.  Take a photo of yourself or a group holding signs and email it to motheryousong (at) gmail.com by November 25th.

I LOVE this idea.  Given all of the harm that has been done to girls trafficked for pornography, I hope that by turning the camera on ourselves we will send a visual encouragement to these girls that they are survivors and that we are behind them.  (Side note--due to reflections you'll probably need to use a mirror to take the picture so it's readable!)

"This is to Mother You" will be available for digital download from GEMS and at select retailers on December 2, which is the international date for the abolition of slavery.

So with Shaniya Davis fresh in our minds and the eyes of the U.S. suddenly focused on human trafficking, whip out those cameras, mobile phones or webcams and send a message of support to those who have been exploited on our streets and in our backyards.

A Sad Day, and a "Beautiful Slave"

There is a lot of heartbreak today, in the abolitionist community and beyond, about the news that 5-year-old Shaniya Davis was a victim of child sex trafficking and murder in North Carolina. 

I keep coming back to a song I heard and video I saw over the weekend from a nonprofit Christian "musicianary" band called Take No Glory.  "Beautiful Slave" is a song that sounds like it could have been played by Evanescence, woven into a simple children's hymn that people who grew up going to Protestant churches will recognize: "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."  The transition happens around the 3:25 mark. 



Locked in brothels in Southeast Asia or trafficked by relatives in North Carolina, they are precious in his sight.  This little girl is at peace now, and for the rest who are still waiting: we will come for you.

Trafficking: Hidden in Plain Sight

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) department is going public with a campaign to educate U.S. citizens about human trafficking that is literally happening in front of our eyes.

According to the ICE website, "Posters, billboards and transit shelter signs were rolled out last month bearing the slogan 'Hidden in Plain Sight.' They are displayed in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Newark, New Orleans, New York, St Paul, San Antonio, San Francisco and Tampa. The campaign's goal is to raise public awareness about the existence of human trafficking in communities nationwide, and asks members of the public to take action if they encounter possible victims."


When I was in Cambodia, it amazed me how many World Vision billboards I saw on being alert for child sex trafficking and providing a phone number to call for reporting.  Now it is time for us to face the reality of human trafficking within our own borders.

I'm greatly encouraged by this step by the government and the Emma Thompson-backed "Journey" exhibit on sex trafficking taking place in New York City.  Someone, somewhere, who is currently enslaved in our country is going to be saved by the awareness this brings and by the seeds that it plants.

Photo by Wootang01

Child Sex Trafficking of Runaways in the U.S.

Photo by Sunny laid back L.A.

I read a great article in the NYTimes today, and it was especially relevant on the heels of yesterday's big news.

"For Runaways, Sex Buys Survival," looks at the business of trafficking runaways for sex on America's streets. It's a growing problem according to law enforcement and child protective service agencies, and the Internet plays a large part in attracting "clients."

“It’s definitely worsening,” said Sgt. Kelley O’Connell, a detective who until this year ran the Boston Police Department’s human-trafficking unit, echoing a sentiment conveyed in interviews with law enforcement officials from more than two dozen cities. “Gangs used to sell drugs,” she said. “Now many of them have shifted to selling girls because it’s just as lucrative but far less risky.”(excerpted from NYT article)

The article featured interviews with convicted pimps, who talk about the tactics they use to ensnare young girls into prostitution--including targeting girls with large backpacks on, who have clearly just left home. The pimps' bottom line was that they recognize these girls' starvation for love and attention, and they can easily "hook" them with a few gifts of jewelry and nice dinners.

One of the pimps put it this way:

"With the young girls, you promise them heaven, they'll follow you to hell."

NYTimes content doesn't stay free and available for long, so I'd recommend reading the story as soon as you can. Ian Urbina has put together 4 pages of an extremely important and well-written look at the reality of sex trafficking in America.

The question I'd ask now is--does it matter that these girls are runaways? Does it make them less worthy of our attention and care, as opposed to a little girl on the other side of the world who has been kidnapped or sold? Do we care more or less that this is what sex trafficking looks like in our cities and on our streets?

Child Trafficking in America: More Operation Cross Country

Read the news today?

52 children were rescued from sex trafficking as part of the ongoing Operation Cross Country operation. Not in Southeast Asia, not in South America, not in Eastern Europe--here. In the U.S.

Read the FBI's press release on the results of Operation Cross Country IV here.

The Innocence Lost initiative started in 2003. 900 children rescued from sex slavery, 500 convictions, 6 years later, and I fear we are just at the tip of the iceberg.

Photo by Lucian Tao

Bostonians: Here's Your Chance

A two-part quiz for people local to the greater Boston area:

Are you:

1. Interested in getting involved with the Love146 Boston Task Force?
2. A parent, teacher, social worker, community youth advocate, or concerned community member wanting to a) know more about the problem of commercial sexual exploitation in the greater Boston area and other major U.S. cities and b) increase at-risk high school students' awareness on the issue?

If yes, you might want to be part of this opportunity.

Love146 is partnering with FAIR Fund as an exploratory phase of bringing a "Tell Your Friends" program to Boston. "Tell Your Friends" (TYF) is an awareness and prevention program created by a Washington D.C.-based organization called Fair Fund. The objective of the TYF program is to educate at-risk high school students about the realities of the commercial sex trade in the US - especially in the cities of Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York, Miami, and Washington, D.C. 

The "Tell Your Friends" training will be taking place over two workdays near the end of September in the greater Boston area--and not a moment too soon:

• In the United States, an estimated 150,000 youth are at risk toward victimization via commercial sexual exploitation. 
• In 2008, 35 known cases of commercial sexual exploitation of minors was reported by FAIR Fund, the Polaris Project, and other area nonprofits and law enforcement. 
  
• During the pilot year of Tell Your Friends, 450 teens said that they personally knew teens involved in prostitution in D.C. Furthermore, 56 teens disclosed they or a friend were involved in commercial sexual activity.

If you're interested in learning more, leave me a comment or tweet at me (@ebain) and I can provide more details.  

Dispatch on Human Trafficking in the U.S.

Photo by Sanja

The Columbus Dispatch put together some multimedia materials on human trafficking happening in the Ohio area. The headline reads, "New word for prostitute: Victim."

As a country we generally have such a strong reaction toward prostitution. What this article and movies like "Girls Are Not for Sale" encourage is for us to look a few minutes longer at a larger picture. When we're seeing girls who aren't even legal adults yet being pimped and sold, how can we be treating them as though this is a lifestyle choice and then prosecute them as criminals?

On a related note, the Australian Broadcasting Company posted a story on how legalized prostitution is failing sex workers in Australia and that human trafficking for the purpose of illegal brothels is becoming a larger concern. I'm against legalizing prostitution for a number of reasons--most importantly because I think it poses an enormous step backwards in the fight against human trafficking. But I think our automatic criminalization of prostitution in the U.S. is attacking the problem from the wrong angle, as well. It's the two ends of the spectrum and unfortunately, until we can meet somewhere in the middle, we'll continue failing our young girls in the worst way.

Ending Child Sex Trafficking in Atlanta

Atlanta is becoming a leader in the abolitionist movement.  We've got to fight a multi-sided battle at trafficking hotspots all over the world--and it's hardest when you have to start in your own backyard.

Innocence Atlanta presents more art for awareness.  I love it that everyone can be a part of ending child sex trafficking and exploitation in this generation.

Innocence Atlanta Art Experience from Erik Newby on Vimeo.

Child Trafficking, the Fourth of July, and Celebrating Freedom

This is the first year I've really celebrated our Independence day and freedom while also having the knowledge of child trafficking and modern day slavery heavily on my mind.  

To me, those fireworks tomorrow are going to be a bittersweet promise. <3

Required Reading: TIP Report

Today is an important day for anti-trafficking supporters.  The U.S. State Department has released its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report for 2009.  

There's been some controversy in past reports about political relationships and diplomatic issues shading particular rankings among countries that still have a long way to go in terms of human trafficking--Japan, you know I love you, but my finger is pointing at you.  Another issue was the fact that the U.S. itself does not appear on the list, and our hands are far, far from clean in the issue of human trafficking.  However, the report will apparently begin to include the U.S. as of 2010.  Regardless of past controversies, I think that this is an important document that everyone who has an interest in advocating for the fight against trafficking should take the time to study.

You can view the report here.  I'm going to spend the next few days reading it in depth, and will let you know my thoughts.  In the meantime, check out one of my favorites (Diana Scimone!), as she already covered it earlier today.  

"With this report, we hope to shine the light brightly on the scope and scale of modern slavery so all governments can see where progress has been made, and where more is needed.  Trafficking thrives in the shadows, and it can be easy to dismiss as something that happens to someone else, somewhere else.  But that is not the case.  Trafficking is a crime that involves every nation on earth.  And that includes our own." Hillary Rodham Clinton

How You Can Help Mountain Dew Fight Child Trafficking

This is an important one!

There is something very easy you can do, right now, to give the fight against child trafficking a whopping $10,000.  My friends over at Minga are one of ten finalists in Mountain Dew/Do Something's Energize Your Community contest.  Out of the ten finalists, the top five groups with the most votes by April 29, 2009, will EACH win $10,000.  

So what would a bunch of teenagers do with $10,000?  They would take a roadtrip to cities around the entire country this summer to educate their peers about child sex trafficking.  Because the U.S. plays such a big role in distributing and using child pornography, as well as producing a huge percentage of the demand for child sex tourism, Minga's goal is to start raising awareness and action in their peers from an early point in their lives.  They say, "We believe that by creating a culture of prevention in which all children of an appropriate age are aware of this issue and are given opportunities to act against it, the child sex trade will die out with the rise of our generation."

They also have a cool social media campaign idea to get kids from all over the country involved in fighting child sex trafficking that is discussed in more detail on the site.

So if you want to help, here's the deal:

1. Go to www.energizeyourcommunity.com.

2. Click on "Project Gallery" and then "Vote for the Finalists."

3. Choose "Minga's 2009 Road Trip."

4. Click "Register Now" under "Vote for this Project."

5. Follow the steps outlined on the website. Make sure to uncheck the box on the second page if you don't want to receive updates! I just did this and even though you they ask for your information, they guarantee it will not be given to a third-party.  It literally takes 2 minutes.  (Note: on the third page, the only required field is your phone number.)

6. Vote! You can vote once a day until April 29, but you only have to register once.

By taking a few minutes out of today to register, and by simply clicking a button once a day over the next week or so, you could be helping to make an impact on the future of the American role in ending child sex trafficking.  People often say that they'd love to help, but they just don't know how they can in their current situation.  Well--here's your chance!  If you're reading this right now, you are physically capable of bringing $10,000 to the fight against child sex trafficking.  Let's make sure Minga gets the chance to reach our kids across the country.  

http://www.energizeyourcommunity.com/

Photo by Funnyface Jessica

Unbound: Fighting Slavery from Cincinnati

More young people doing amazing things.  This is so awesome--be sure to check it out, especially if you're in grades 8-12 near the Cincinnati area.  

"Unbound is a student-led movement that’s informing, equipping and mobilizing young people to fight modern-day slavery in all its forms. We believe in saying no to the apathy and inaction of the past, and that ours will be the generation that ends slavery once and for all. We believe that when our words, actions and prayers are focused and united, the results will be beyond anything the world’s seen or imagined."

Unbound is taking place tomorrow, Friday, April 3, at Crossroads in Cincinnati.  Wish I could be there with you!

Unbound Movement - Intro Music Video from Unbound Movement on Vimeo.

Making Child Trafficking Pay

Photo by zzzack

The AP is reporting that Nevada legislators are considering upping the fines for child sex traffickers--to the tune of between $100,000 to $1 million, depending on the offense.  The resulting fine money would be used to assist child survivors of forced prostitution and to cover legal bills versus the high-powered lawyers traffickers can usually afford to hire.  

Good step, and I hope this passes.  Let's keep going until we find the right combination between massive fines and hard jail time to make the business of selling children's bodies for profit no longer seem so appealing.

Coming Up Next

Unfortunately I'm not going to be blogging much over the next week because Greg and I are leaving the country on vacation! But there are a lot of great events going on, across this country, that you can be a part of over the coming days.

Let's start with my current home state of Mass:

I've mentioned the awesome girls at Minga before, and tonight, Saturday, March 15, they're doing something really cool--a Fair Trade Fashion Show. It starts at 7 p.m. at 1601 Beac

on in Newton, MA and the tickets are $15 to fight child sex trafficking and exploitation. If you're in the Boston area and don't already have plans, you should check it out!

Georgia and California:

A few weeks back I told you about The SOLD Project and their documentary, SOLD: Thailand. Well they are currently traveling across the country and will be presenting the film, free and open to the public, at some universities in GA and CA. Mercer University in Macon, GA will show the film at the S.T.O.P conference on March 17. The S.T.O.P Conference looks absolutely amazing and I wish I could go! The pre-conference events from Tuesday-Thursday night are all completely open and they have some really important topics and discussions on the docket. Go if you can!

In addition, Emory University in Atlanta, GA will be screening SOLD: Thailand at 6:30 p.m. on March 19, and as part of Slim's Benefit Concert for Abolition, the film will show in San Francisco. The doors open at 7:30, and since it's a benefit concert, there's a (small) ticket

price of around $15. See more tour dates here.

Louisiana:

The LSU Tigers are suiting up for a 5k race at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 (registration starts at 4:30 p.m.). The race will take place at the LSU Parade Grounds in Baton Rouge, and registration is $25 (register early here for $20). All proceeds will go to the A21 campaign to fight trafficking and slavery. Find out more at www.tigersagainsttrafficking.com.

New York:

Stephen Baldwin is hosting a gala auction and dinner to benefit Love146 in Long Island on Thursday, April 16, at 7:00 p.m.:

Villa Lombardi’s of Holbrook

877 Main Street, Holbrook, NY 11741

Semi-formal attire

Seventy-five dollars per person

Tickets sold in advance

Go HERE for tickets and more details

Please R.S.V.P. by purchasing your ticket on or before April 1, 2009

And of course... wherever you are, don't forget about Tread on Trafficking!

Let me know if you end up going to any of these events--I can't wait to hear about all of the good things that happened while I was away.

Until then,

Emily

Georgia, On My Mind

I've written a couple of times about the state of Georgia's unfortunate place in the spotlight for incidences of child sex trafficking. One particular approach is getting some attention today, and I'm interested to hear what YOU think about it.

Georgian citizens are urged to sign a petition for Georgia's lawmakers to:

"hold the adult entertainment industry accountable by passing a $5 per patron surcharge on those who frequent adult entertainment establishments to help children trafficked for sex in the surrounding community."

The $5 surcharge, in effect, will potentially help to curb commercial sex patronage in the area while raising much-needed funds (and awareness) for child victims of sex trafficking. One thing is clear, especially as I read more of a book on sex trafficking called "The Natashas:" trafficking and commercial sex outlets like strip clubs and "massage parlors" are very closely linked. Obviously not every strip club and prostitution ring involve trafficked girls and women, but unfortunately, many do--often without patrons even realizing it.

Personally, I think this surchage is a fantastic idea. But, admittedly, I just heard about it and haven't had a chance to give it too much thought or research. What do you think? Are there any "cons" to this suggested legislature to consider? Would this have any unintended negative consequences or in any way harm women or children trafficked into the sex trade--or is it one of the brightest and most practical ideas we've heard in awhile? As of now, I'm standing full-fledged behind the petition and surcharge unless convinced otherwise.

If you're a Georgia resident, seriously consider putting your name and county on this petition: "We Urge You." And for everybody else--feel free to leave your opinion in the comments.


A Heart of Money. Photo by Wisforworlddomination.

Update: Or maybe, in addition to requiring a working phone number, Craigslist could put a $5 surcharge on its erotic services section....

Update #2: Okay, according to this CNN article, Craigslist is in fact already charging a fee to place ads in its erotic services section.  But police say it's not that effective because people using the site for prostitution purposes often use fraudulent credit cards or just move the ads to the free section.  Sigh...