SAS

Wisconsin Women Accused of Trafficking a Minor

jared — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 20:36:46 +0000

An odd human trafficking case is unfolding in the mid west where two women from Wisconsin are being charged with forcing a young girl from Illinois into prostitution.

According to police reports the two women were advertising on Backpage.com under escort services.

Backpage was involved in a legal battle last year with Washington state over a law that required people advertising sexual services to verify their age.

Currently Backpage still allows ads by third party publishers that promote the sexual exploitation of children to appear on their website.

By Jared Stewart

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

jared — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 18:42:31 +0000

The President has declared January National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. It’s really great that the issue is getting all this attention and hopefully one day the problems of slavery will be eradicated.

Sadly though the scope of human trafficking is still unknown, even with all the attention the issue is receiving.

We have a long way to go in the fight against slavery. How will you honor this month?

By Jared Stewart

Department of Labor Introduces New Toolkit to Fight Child Trafficking

jared — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 20:06:37 +0000

“The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that there are 215 million children in child labor worldwide, 115 million of them in hazardous forms of work. It also estimates that 21 million people are in forced labor, six million of them children.” – Department of Labor

Every year children are forced to work in fields, factories and homes as slaves. The Department of Labor has introduced this tool kit to help you or your company fight child trafficking. Please take time to check it out.

By Jared Stewart

Trafficking. It’s Not Just About Sex.

jared — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 20:46:17 +0000

This article from the Guardian UK says that trafficking victims aren’t just prostitutes. Trafficking victims are working for nothing in mines, farms and homes as well.

All too often the idea in the public mind is that human trafficking is all about rescuing women from the clutches of pimps and ruthless men. Prostitution is an issue but it’s important to remember that trafficking is all around us all the time and it ‘s not just the sexually exploited and it’s not just happening to women.

If you would like to learn more about other forms of trafficking Seattle Against Slavery will be hosting a talk Oct 30th about victims forced to work in peoples homes as domestic slaves. It’s free to attend.

By Jared Stewart

What is the Role of Men in the Fight Against Trafficking?

jared — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:08:44 +0000

The human trafficking expo in Grand Rapids MI aims to bring a male voice to the issue this year on Nov 4th. They will be featuring a speaker who married a woman who had been sold to the Japanese mafia at the age of 18, he plans to talk about how he coped with what happened to her. The expo is portraying men as ‘silent protectors.’ The conference also hopes to shed light on the issues of domestic violence.

I think what they’re doing in Grand Rapids is a great way to bring attention to these issues, but what about men who have been trafficked?

Sex trafficking is human trafficking but human trafficking is not always sex trafficking. Lots of men and women are forced to labor in fields, factories and mines for little or no pay. These men are victims as much as anyone else.

Are men silent protectors in the fight against trafficking? What are your thoughts?

By Jared Stewart

Powerful and Moving Photos Of Modern Slavery

jared — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 21:58:20 +0000

This article was recently sent to me via Facebook.

I think it’s important to share because it shows many different forms of human trafficking, not just forced prostitution which is something people tend to focus solely on. I also feel that photos are moving, powerful and of a very high quality. The photographer is obviously talented and it’s great that she’s bringing attention to the issue of modern slavery. You can check out her personal web site here.

By Jared Stewart

President Obama Addressed Human Trafficking Issues Today

jared — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 22:37:54 +0000

Obama spoke at the Clinton Global Initiative today and addressed the issues of human trafficking. Check out the video’s of the event here.

By Jared Stewart

What Happens After A Trafficking Victim is Rescued?

jared — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:52:56 +0000

According to this article rescued victims are at risk for re-exploitation.

The article says “a recent in-depth academic study by researchers at the University of Texas, Austin and North Carolina A & T State University, looked at women in Texas who had been trafficked from other countries. It showed that victims need targeted, long-lasting and culturally sensitive services to help them rebuild their lives.”

So as we make progress fighting traffickers are we making the same progress to give long term help to rescued victims?

I think Seattle is doing pretty well in this area, what are your thoughts?

By Jared Stewart

Example of Effective New Trafficking Laws

jared — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:30:40 +0000

An Atlanta stripper was convicted of sex trafficking and several other counts including child molestation. Because of trafficking laws that have recently been passed this man and his accomplice are looking at much harsher penalties then they would’ve seen just last year.

It’s a good example of new harsher laws keeping traffickers locked up for longer amounts of time.

By Jared Stewart

Adorable Abolitionist

jared — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 20:52:30 +0000

Vivienne Harr is an entrepreneurial eight year old girl with a lemonade stand. Unlike most eight year olds however she’s raising the money to fight human trafficking.

Read more about Vivienne and her lemonade stand here.

By Jared Stewart