What’s next?

I’m sure I’m going to be processing everything I’ve learned on my trip to visit Hagar in Cambodia for awhile. What should I do with all of this new knowledge and experience? Maybe you are wondering the same thing. Maybe you’ve read what I’ve written and are interested in doing more. I hope that is the case! If so, here are some ideas for ways to learn more and get involved. If you’re interested in talking more please contact me at hello(at)stoptraffickfashion(dot)com.

  • Learn more about the Khmer Rouge and the implications that has for the Cambodian people. It’s unfortunate that Americans don’t have a better understanding of such a recent genocide and it’s affect on the people. You can watch the 1984 movie, The Killing Fields or read one of the many books on the topic such as, First They Killed My Father by Luong Ung.
  • Educate yourself about the situation of human trafficking in Cambodia by visiting the Chab Dai website.
  • Pray for Cambodia, it’s people, Hagar staff and the staff of other NGOs working here.
  • Blog, Facebook or Tweet about Hagar
  • Become a fan of Hagar on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, or sign up for their newsletter.
  • Host a Dining for Hagar event to tell your friends about Hagar and help raise money.
  • Set up an online fundraising page to help raise funds for a new playground at the Hagar Catch Up School in Phnom Penh.
  • Become a monthly donor to Hagar. Your monthly gift is extremely important in paying the salaries of Hagar counselors, teachers and other staff that enable the great work Hagar does. Without funding they cannot continue to restore broken lives.

Talk to Your Senators!

Books & Resources, Partner Organization News, Uncategorized — Emily on June 23, 2010 at 9:00 am
General Justice  Campaigns Email Banner

Dear friend,

Today, the State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP) released its annual Trafficking in Persons Report - a major annual milestone in the fight against modern-day slavery. This report sheds light on the reality of human trafficking and slavery in 175 countries, including - for the first time - the United States. You can read the 2010 TIP Report here.

This summer, you can take action in the fight against modern-day slavery by meeting with one or both of your senators in your home state to share your support for the TIP Office and the Child Protection Compact Act - legislation that will help eradicate child trafficking in selected focus countries. Our team will schedule and coordinate these meetings for you as part of a unified month of action in August 2010 - Take the leap and sign up today! We will train, guide and support you, provide you with talking points, offer trainings by phone before your meeting, schedule for you based on the availability you indicate, and help you connect to other advocates in your area. Your senators care what you think about these issues. Will you join us?

Learn more about the TIP Office and the powerful impact of the TIP Report internationally here.

Thank you for your partnership in this work.

Gratefully,
Eileen Campbell
Director of Justice Campaigns

P.S. Schedule too full for a meeting? Urge your Senators to support the Child Protection Compact Act today though IJM’s Justice Campaigns current Action Alert online.

Need a Great Marketing Team?

Uncategorized — Emily on June 17, 2010 at 9:00 am

A lot of people ask me who designed our logo and website. Well, I’d like to take a few minutes to thank Matt Adams and his awesome team at Factor1 Studios!  They have done a fabulous job for us over our first year in developing the branding, designing our website and helping us with various items and promotions throughout the year.  They have great ideas, great designs and provide excellent service - I would highly recommend them!  If you have a project and need some great design, why not contact them?

Happy Birthday to Us!

STF News, Uncategorized — Emily on June 15, 2010 at 9:00 am

birthday-candles

Today Stop Traffick Fashion turns one year old!

Thank you so much for your support. We love seeing how people around the country - and around the world - are getting involved in the fight against trafficking. With your help we’ve been able to equip and empower survivors of trafficking to start free, healthy lives - and we’re excited to keep it up for years to come!  Now is also an excellent time to thank all of the wonderful volunteers who have worked with us throughout the year.  We certainly couldn’t do what we do without them.

This year has shown us time and time again how powerful word of mouth is. So tell your friends about human trafficking and Stop Traffick Fashion. It’s a simple and incredibly effective way to become a part of the stories of freedom that are unfolding around the world every day.

If you haven’t already heard, we’re having a sale to thank you for your support and encouragement this year!  Enter the discount code STFBDAY at checkout and get 20% off an order of $100 or more through the end of June.

Thank you for helping us make changed lives possible! There’s no better time to join the story and take small steps toward big change.

“Stop Traffick Fashion is first class.”

STF News, Uncategorized — Emily on June 10, 2010 at 10:00 am

When you purchase from Stop Traffick Fashion you have the opportunity to provide feedback via Google Checkout.  We wanted to take a few minutes and brag about just a few of the great reviews we’ve received in our first year of business!  If you have any feedback we’d love to hear it.  You can leave a comment here or on our Facebook page.  We will do everything we can to continue to provide a great shopping experience for our customers.

Rating
Comments Stop Traffick Fashion is first class. The merchandise is beautiful. I experienced a delivery problem and STF handled it promptly via emails and phone. Their customer service would make Neiman Marcus jealous! I plan to order from STF again and will tell my friends about the store. Great fashion for a good cause.
Rating
Comments Beautiful, high quality handbags, fairly priced and delivered promptly. I will definitely order from this seller again.
Rating
Comments I will buy from Stop Traffick Fashion again. I bought these gifts for my wife’s birthday. She loved them! They were shipped immediately and in plenty of time for her birthday. Great gifts for a great cause!
Rating
Comments Their customer service is amazing. I made a mistake when ordering and emailed the company to notify them. Their response was prompt and personal. Very easy to work with.
Rating
Comments The ordering process was very simple, the delivery was quick, and the earrings were just beautiful!!
Rating
Comments Your website was easy to use, and the delivery of the product I purchased was very timely.

Spotlight on Local Organizations Fighting Trafficking

Books & Resources, Uncategorized — Emily on June 1, 2010 at 11:50 pm

Check out the latest issue of Cincy Chic for an article about a local woman in Northern Kentucky who works with survivors of human trafficking.  Mary Richie works for the Women’s Crisis Center in Covington, Kentucky.  You can also become a fan of End Slavery Cincinnati on Facebook.  End Slavery Cincinnati provides training, education and outreach for the city of Cincinnati regarding human trafficking.

Internet Comments Rescue 2 Russian Girls from Sex Trafficking

Uncategorized — Emily on May 22, 2010 at 9:59 pm

You might not be into weblogging, but it’s a good thing some people are!  Recently a group of MetaFilter users rescued 2 Russian girls from a sex trafficking ring.  Prompted by fear for his/her friends, a poster started out by asking:

My friend and former student K arrived in DC yesterday, along with a friend. She came over on some kind of travel exchange program put together by a Russian travel agency called ‘Aloha’. They paid about 3K for this program.

The program promised a job offer in advance, but didn’t deliver. They said they would send one via email, but failed there, too.

Her contact in the USA barely speaks English, doesn’t answer her calls but does answer mine. He has asked her and her friend to meet in NYC tonight around midnight, with promises of hostess work in a lounge. Yes, I know how horrific that sounds- that’s why I am working all possible angles here.

From there an extensive list of posting ensued from various members offering resources, advice and help.  In the end they persuaded the 2 girls to meet with them instead of a “contact” about a job!  If you have time to read the post it’s pretty interesting (Although I would give the post an “R” rating for language).  It’s a pretty great example of how being aware and educated about human trafficking and having the right resources can save lives!

Small steps add up!

Uncategorized — Emily on May 20, 2010 at 11:00 am

As individuals we often feel overwhelmed by the task of fighting human trafficking (or any big task!).  However, here at Stop Traffick Fashion we’re strong believers that one person can make a difference.  “How?” you might ask.  Well, this quote from Helen Keller sums it up well.  “I long to accomplish great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble.  The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.” (emphasis mine)

These pictures illustrate the point well.  Consider your commitment to fight trafficking as one marble in your hand.  It looks small and insignificant.  However, when you combine your commitment with the commitment of others around the world, it amounts to much more!  What small steps can you make to fight human trafficking? We’d love to see your comments with ideas!

marblemarble2

Recent Headlines on Trafficking in the US

Uncategorized — Emily on May 13, 2010 at 11:21 am

Several recent headlines have brought more light to the plight of trafficking victims in the US.  A recent story on Channel 9 News in Cincinnati highlighted the Trafficking in Persons Study showing that human trafficking is a major problem in Ohio.  You can read more there about how Ohioans are fighting in the Senate to get better laws in place for Ohio.  Another TV interview profiled on Change.org tells the story of a survivor from Oklahoma.

We’ve said it before but trafficking happens everywhere - including the US! That’s one reason why we’re excited about The Project at Ohio State.  A great group of students there want to use Stop Traffick Fashion to help raise awareness about trafficking on campus and also raise funds for Gracehaven House.  Gracehaven is an organization that provides restoration and rehabilitation to survivors of trafficking in Columbus, Ohio.  It’s one of only a few such organizations in the country!

Chocolate: The Bitter Truth - Parts 5 & 6

Trafficking News & Information, Uncategorized — Emily on May 10, 2010 at 9:00 am

Next Page »