Anti-sex trafficking campaign slammed

The above picture is of a 16 year old child, she tried to run a way from the house she was being human sex trafficked from. The man beat her with in inches of her life with a wire hanger. If not for the next door neighbor hearing her screams and calling the police she would be dead. So the painted clothes to look bloody is NOT stigmatizing anything, nor is it insulting and totally inappropriate. This is REAL.

Salvation Army crusade stigmatizes sex workers as victims: Lawyer

Sex worker advocates in Vancouver are condemning this weekend’s planned anti-sex trafficking campaign by the Salvation Army, saying it stigmatizes all sex workers as victims of trafficking.

The Salvation Army has held the Weekend of Prayer for the past three years to raise awareness of human sex trafficking.

This year, it is focusing on the Vancouver 2010 Olympics through a campaign titled: More Precious Than Silver.

The Army is predicting a spike in the number of women and children that will be brought into Vancouver to work as sex slaves during the Games.

Katrina Pacey, a lawyer with Pivot Legal, said there is no evidence that mega-events, like the Olympics, lead to an increase in human trafficking.

Further, she said, the Army’s Weekend of Prayer paints all sex workers as trafficking victims and doesn’t draw the distinction that some people may have chosen to do it.

“It is inappropriate to think that sex workers want to be saved by the Salvation Army,” Pacey said. “If they really want to know what sex workers need, they should have asked them.”

The Salvation Army was called several times Thursday, but had not commented by press time.

The Army’s website suggests six ideas to help Salvationists commemorate the weekend, including a prayer breakfast to celebrate “men of honour” and a prayer walk outside strip clubs or massage parlours.

One of the proposed displays uses a mannequin in a ripped dress, painted to look bloody.

Pacey called the possible display “harmful, insulting and totally inappropriate.”

http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver/local/article/321370–anti-sex-trafficking-campaign-slammed

Sex trade workers decry Salvation Army posters

Graphic images wrongly portray them as slaves, they say

Sex trade workers are decrying a Salvation Army campaign against human trafficking that depicts them as slaves and victims of brutal violence.

The “Truth Isn’t Sexy” campaign, developed and launched last year by Mercer Creative, has started to raise the ire of sex workers, who say they are appalled at graphic images of women being throttled or having their heads bashed against a sidewalk.

The images can be seen around Metro Vancouver on billboards, in public washrooms and on transit shelters.

“[Sex workers] are raising some concerns over the fact the campaign perpetuates the myth of sex workers being slaves,” said Tamara O’Doherty, of the Sex Industry Worker Safety Action Group.

“They’re traumatized. … For some of these people who work on the streets, they do experience violence,” O’Doherty said.

The Salvation Army acknowledged the images are graphic but said the campaign is designed to tell the true stories of sexual trafficking victims.

Spokesman Brian Venables said the campaign wasn’t aimed at all sex trade workers, but rather those who were kidnapped or brought into Vancouver against their will.

“When we came together to create this we decided first and foremost it had to be the truth,” he said.

“It’s about people who don’t have that liberty any more; they lost the right to make choices.

“Yes, the images are violent and for the Salvation Army it’s a bold, bold step, but we wanted to make an impact.”

The campaign is aimed at raising awareness about human trafficking and exploitation ahead of the 2010 Olympic Games, when the Salvation Army says “the demand for bodies to service the sex trade will increase. So will the number of victims.”

The Salvation Army website claims Vancouver is a major port of entry for international sex slaves and that nearly every prostitute in the Downtown Eastside is somehow indebted to a pimp or gang, and thus lives in a form of bondage.

Venables said he hopes the graphic images will help put a face on human trafficking.

But the Sex Industry Worker Safety Action Group Vancouver claims the campaign is “misleading, debasing to women and nothing short of sensational.”

O’Doherty said sex workers are worried about exploitation and want to work with the Salvation Army on the issue. The focus, she said, should be on making the community safer for sex workers.

The group launched its opposition to the campaign on the eve of the Salvation Army’s Weekend of Prayer for Victims of Sex Trafficking, today through Sunday.

Venables said the Salvation Army would appreciate any help from sex workers and hopes the debate will bring them all together.

“This is much bigger than the Salvation Army,” he said.

“We need the whole community. These people are on the streets and they can be a huge resource.”

source: http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/trade+workers+decry+Salvation+Army+posters/2030193/story.html

Salvation Army slammed over Vancouver sex trafficking campaign

VANCOUVER – The salvation army is being slammed over its vivid poster and web campaign depicting sex trade workers as victims of human trafficking and for using migrant workers in some of their ads.

“The depictions of violence used by the Salvation Army in their current campaign to increase public awareness about trafficking in persons in the Canadian context is misleading, debasing to women and nothing short of sensational,” said the Sex Industry Worker Safety Action Group, SIWSAG.

SIWSAG is an advisory body comprised of sex workers, legal experts and Vancouver Police. The group aims to improve the safety of sex trade workers.

Part of the Salvation Army campaign highlights the possibility of increased human trafficking in association with the 2010 Olympics.

“The local campaign, developed without consultation or collaboration with sex workers and sex worker groups, is focused on an alarming depiction of trafficking and sex work, particularly with reference to the 2010 Olympics,” said the organization is a press release forwarded to the media by Vancouver Police.

“Their definition of trafficking is inclusive of all persons working in the sex industry and negates choice as an option for those working in the industry,” said the group.

“The information being disseminated through this campaign is inaccurate and emotionally triggering and is supported by photographs with a disturbing combination of violence and titillation,” it said.

“The SIWSAG believes the campaign contributes to further marginalization, stigmatization and isolation of sex industry workers, and will serve to increase dangers for both trafficked persons and sex industry workers,” said a press release. “Sex workers are not safe in this situation.”

Tamara O’Doherty, chairperson for the group, said the posters and website content run by Salvation Army are insensitive, alarmist and false in suggesting that all sex trade workers are victims of trafficking.

The Salvation Army website, http://www.thetruthisntsexy.ca also sells T-Shirts carrying the logo “Truth isn’t Sexy. The SIWSAG group says that is self-serving and fund-raising on the back of sex-trade workers who are being falsely depicted.

“In Canada, this year’s focus is on sex trafficking that happens within Canada, and that is expected to increase with the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Our theme is ”More Precious Than Silver”-to link with the Olympics, but also with the idea that victims are people-not merchandise to be bought and sold,” says the Salvation Army sponsored website.

“This year we’re also intentionally trying to get Christians from churches outside of The Salvation Army to join us in prayer. We want to unite with as many believers as possible to pray for victims and ask God to put a stop to human sex trafficking.”

source: http://www.vancouverite.com/2009/09/24/salvation-army-slammed-over-vancouver-sex-trafficking-campaign/

Young Survivors of Sex Trafficking Inspire Beyonce, Halle Berry and More to Join ‘Girls Are Not for Sale’ Campaign

Inspired by the Showtime documentary ‘Very Young Girls’, about American girls fighting to overcome the trauma of child trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, artists help mobilize women across America for national campaign featuring the film’s July 7th debut on Netflix.

New York (PRWEB) June 30, 2009 — GEMS: Girls Educational and Mentoring Services, the nation’s largest survivor-led organization serving American girls and young women who have experienced sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, is joining forces with Beyoncé Knowles, Halle Berry, Demi Moore, Sinead O’Connor, Mary J Blige, Katie Ford and women across America for its Girls Are Not for Sale campaign. Kicking off July 7th with the Netflix debut of the critically acclaimed Showtime documentary ‘Very Young Girls’, the campaign will use e-activism, live events, all-star artist collaborations and other initiatives to promote girls empowerment and education as critical tools in the fight against child traffickers and pimps who victimize between 100,000 and 300,000 American children and teens each year.

“The girls of GEMS have emerged as powerful young leaders in this movement,” says Rachel Lloyd, Founder and Executive Director of GEMS. “They have successfully advocated for groundbreaking legislation to protect young victims in New York State, challenged misperceptions of survivors through ‘Very Young Girls’ and other media work, and every day, serve as peer support for girls who walk through GEMS’ doors. We are thrilled that they are gaining new allies in these smart and powerful women.”

Grammy-winner Beyonce Knowles first learned about the girls of GEMS when she saw ‘Very Young Girls’ six months ago. “I don’t know how anyone could see that documentary and not want to help those young women,” says Knowles. “I didn’t want to just donate money, I wanted them to know that someone really cared about them. My time, my heart, my ears, and my voice are the biggest gifts I could think to give.”

Shortly after seeing the film, Knowles asked to meet the girls personally. “I was scheduled to visit for two hours but I ended up staying five hours,” Knowles recalls. “I wanted to listen to every girl’s story and the stories were all so different. Some had been kidnapped, some lured by love and the promise of protection, some were 11 years old. I listened and I cried with the young ladies. I watched them dance. I heard them sing. I asked lots of questions. They were so open and so brave. They were very beautiful girls and very articulate.”

Knowles pledged to help the girls reach a larger audience, and on July 24th, will host dozens of GEMS’ survivors at her concert at the IZOD Center in New Jersey. “I realized that they were no different than I am. If I grew up with some of the struggles and challenges they have had to deal with and live with every day, I could have possibly been them and vice versa. After hearing the shocking stories of what those young ladies have gone through, I want to use my voice to do what I can to bring awareness to this horrific sex trafficking that happens right here in America.”

GEMS hopes many more women will join Knowles and other artists in spreading the girls’ message. The organization has launched a national social network, The Council of Daughters, to empower women and girls to bring the needs of young survivors into local communities. Through its online hub – http://www.councilofdaughters.ning.com – Council members can meet, share news and ideas, plan campaign events, raise funds and introduce the needs of girls to their friends through a variety of social media tools.

Beginning July 7th, Council members across the country, in conjunction with Netflix, the world’s largest online movie rental service, will host National Viewing Nights to celebrate the online and DVD premiere of ‘Very Young Girls’. The film, which has been viewed by hundreds of thousands of people in the United States, UK, Canada, Australia and Israel since its international broadcast premiere on Showtime Networks in December 2008, profiles Lloyd’s work with numerous girls as they struggle to heal from the trauma of their experiences. Kicking off in New York City, the viewing nights will travel across the country before arriving in Los Angeles on July 14th.

Also beginning July 7th, Netflix will offer its more than 10 million subscribers the opportunity to instantly watch ‘Very Young Girls’ on their computers or TVs via streaming from Netflix. The film can be instantly streamed on TVs through a variety of Netflix ready devices, including Blu-ray disc players and new Internet TVs from LG Electronics, Blu-ray disc players from Samsung, the Roku digital video player, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 game console and through TiVo digital video recorders. The film can also be watched instantly on PCs and Macs with high-speed Internet access and can be received from Netflix on DVD as well. Netflix offers a two-week free trial subscription for those interested in trying the service.

Lloyd, named one of Ms. Magazines ’50 Women Who Change the World’, believes the Campaign and Netflix partnership will also correct the impressions many Americans have of trafficked and commercially sexually exploited youth. “So often our girls are viewed as ‘teen prostitutes’ when they are in fact children who are bought and sold by adults to adults. ‘Girls Are Not for Sale’ paves the way for women across the country to join survivors as we work to create a nation in which girls are celebrated, not sold.”

A survivor of commercial sexual exploitation as a teen in Europe, Lloyd founded GEMS 11 years ago with a borrowed computer and $30 when she saw American girls lured or abducted into the sex industry being ignored and stigmatized by traditional service providers. Over a decade later, the organization annually serves more than 275 survivors, and provides outreach and training to over 1,000 youth and more than 1,500 service providers, educators and law enforcement professionals. A leading voice in the field of child sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in America, Lloyd is the author of the upcoming book ‘Acceptable Victims’ (Harper Collins in 2010), the subject of a feature film currently in development at Participant Productions and Lifetime Networks, and a 2006 recipient of the Reebok Human Rights Award.

About Girls Are Not for Sale
Girls Are Not for Sale is a national campaign with one goal: to inspire one million Americans to take easy, effective actions to nurture and empower American girls who have become victims of child sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, and, to protect all girls from the dangers of trafficking. Sparked by the overwhelming public response to the Showtime film ‘Very Young Girls’ and the survivors whose lives it chronicles, the Campaign brings the movement to protect and empower girls to cities across America through live events, grassroots action, ad campaigns, fundraising drives, film premieres, music recordings and much more. For more information, visit http://www.girlsarenotforsale.org and http://www.facebook.com/girlsarenotforsale.

About GEMS
Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS) is the nation’s largest non-profit organization specifically designed to empower American girls and young women, ages 12-21 who have experienced sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential. GEMS is committed to ending commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of children by changing individual lives, transforming public perception, and the systems and policies that impact sexually exploited youth. In 2008, GEMS provided counseling, job training, access to health care and crisis housing to more than 280 young women; provided outreach to more than 1,500 youth; and trained 1,000 youth service workers. Aside from these programs, GEMS also provides a continuum of services including Youth-led facility outreach, street outreach, court advocacy and an Alternatives to Incarceration program, case management, education, recreational and therapeutic groups, youth employment and leadership training, transitional & crisis housing, and referral services. For more information visit http://www.gems-girls.org.

About Netflix, Inc.
Netflix, Inc. is the world’s largest online movie rental service, with more than 10 million subscribers. For one low monthly price, Netflix subscribers can get DVDs delivered to their homes and can instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers, all in unlimited amounts. Subscribers can choose from over 100,000 DVD titles and a growing library of more than 12,000 choices that can be watched instantly. There are never any due dates or late fees. DVDs are delivered free to subscribers by first class mail, with a postage-paid return envelope, from 58 distribution centers. More than 97 percent of Netflix subscribers live in areas that generally receive shipments in one business day. Netflix has partnered with leading consumer electronics companies to offer a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes to members’ TVs from Netflix. For more information, visit http://www.netflix.com/.

source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/gems/trafficking/prweb2588764.htm

CAMPAIGN FOR SEX TRAFFICKING VICTIMS LAUNCHED

Jessica Foster

A campaign to support young Africans who have been abused through sex trafficking in London will be launched tomorrow.

Africans Unite Against Child Abuse (AFRUCA) will launch its child trafficking project on Tuesday at the County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, as part of a series of events taking place to celebrate the charity’s eighth anniversary.

The campaign is being funded by Comic Relief, which has donated £118,832 to AFRUCA over three years. The charity says the cash will help it expand its support to reach more trafficking victims in London and the South-east.

The trafficking project will support and assist at least 20 young survivors each year, helping them secure housing and financial support from local authorities and other agencies with the aim of reducing homelessness and poverty.

In addition to providing legal support for UK citizenship, the project will also provide counselling and survivors’ friendship groups in a bid to heal the psychological scars of long-term abuse.

The launch event, which also plans to examine the causes and impact of child trafficking, aims to come up with ways for the community to help combat the problem.

Debbie Ariyo, AFRUCA director, said: “Child trafficking from Africa is a growing problem across the UK.

“It is a fact that children are trafficked into the country by their own people and are also exploited by people in their own communities.

“Our project is a community response to what is a terrible problem affecting many African children and young people across London.

“With this new grant from Comic Relief, we hope to help survivors of trafficking rebuild their lives and ensure members of the African community can gain the knowledge necessary to intervene successfully when they come across victims of trafficking.

“In celebrating our eighth year of supporting African children and promoting their safety and wellbeing, we wish to acknowledge the overwhelming goodwill and support we have received over the years from our various partners, and most importantly the children, young people and the families that make our work worthwhile.”

Since 2001, AFRUCA has campaigned against the abuse and exploitation of African children.

Tomorrow’s event will run from 11.00am to 2.00pm. For information on other events or to book your place at the trafficking launch, contact Cherifa Atoussi on cherifa@afruca.org or 0844 660 8607.

source: http://www.communitynewswire.press.net/article.jsp?id=5894003