The month of January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Per Polaris, a global leader in the fight to end modern-day slavery, human trafficking is “the business of stealing freedom for profit. In some cases, traffickers trick, defraud or physically force victims into providing commercial sex. In others, victims are lied to, assaulted, threatened or manipulated into working under inhumane, illegal or otherwise unacceptable conditions. It is a multi-billion dollar criminal industry that denies freedom to 24.9 million people around the world”.

As non-profit organizations, governments and business around the world work to spread awareness and fight this hidden epidemic, we as consumers can use our purchasing power to make a difference and change lives. Per Jane Mosbacher Morris (Founder and CEO of To the Market, a social enterprise that connects business and consumers to ethically made products around the world), the retail market is a massive force in the U.S. economy – a $2.6 trillion industry – meaning retail purchases can be powerful tools for social change. Consumers now have the power to make a huge difference on such social issues as fighting poverty, climate change, human trafficking, and sending girls around the world to school. This was the inspiration behind Jane founding To The Market: To economically empower vulnerable communities around the world by hiring them to make the kinds of products people buy every day, harnessing the purchasing power of people and businesses to address social issues. (1)

In honor of Human Trafficking Awareness month, I have compiled a list of my favorite for-profit and non-profit companies working hard to fight human trafficking. A purchase from any of these organizations goes to help victims of human trafficking to not only find an escape but find a future.

To The Market

TO THE MARKET | Survivor-made Goods (TTM) combines the powers of commerce and storytelling to empower the world’s most courageous survivor populations, in the belief that resilience is more powerful than suffering. TTM showcases handmade goods made exclusively by proud and passionate artisans who have overcome the perils of abuse, conflict, and disease. By assisting local partners around the world in bringing these goods “to the market,” we take an active role in equipping the survivor’s they employ with economic independence, while raising awareness of the challenges that they face. www.tothemarket.com

MOTA Makeup Bag Set – Navy Floral. $39 made from recycled Saris

To the Market: Sammana Tote With Leather Straps. $36.50. Recycled saris are re-imagined and hand-stitched in the kantha style by a woman impacted by human trafficking and the commercial sex trade. Every product is “signed” by the artisan, the hero of her own story.

Maroon Kimono: Our handcrafted goods are made by women and girls who have survived or evaded sex trafficking in northern India. These women are now living as artisans, creators and artists with sustainable careers, as well as education and medical care that’s supported by your purchase. Price $40

Purpose Jewelry

Purpose is the brand under International Sanctuary, which is a nonprofit whose mission is to empower people escaping trafficking to embrace their true identity and worth. Purpose Jewelry provides freedom from slavery for young women around the world. Each piece of jewelry is beautifully crafted by young women rescued from human trafficking and by purchasing with Purpose, you are providing freedom, dignity and hope for these amazing artisans.

To raise awareness and combat human trafficking, Purpose Jewelry is offering two limited-edition Human Trafficking Awareness Month bracelets. 100% of the proceeds go to support survivors their artisans at International Sanctuary.

The Strength Bracelet

The exclusive Strength bracelet was created to commemorate Human Trafficking Awareness Month in January. This bracelet is made of lovely shades of marbled blue and faceted gold-tone beads finished with the PURPOSE logo. Layer with other PURPOSE pieces for a an upscale personalized style that tells every that you stand for freedom. Price $25.

When you purchase with PURPOSE, you buy a bit of hope. To purchase click here.

Purpose Jewelry Strength bracelet

The Justice Bracelet

The exclusive Justice bracelet was created to commemorate Human Trafficking Awareness Month in January. This friendship bracelet is adjustable and features a blue string and a simple brass oval charm. Buy one for yourself or a few to share with friends so you can all spread awareness of this hidden epidemic. This item is part of the “Hope Line” which consists of introductory pieces made by our new artisan, and it tells a powerful story of fresh beginning. Price $15. To purchase click here.

Purpose Jewelry Justice Bracelet

Thistle Farms 

Thistle Farms is a social enterprise of women survivors of prostitution and drug addiction that would provide an opportunity for a sustainable income and life for the women. Based in Tennessee, Thistle Farms houses a natural bath and body care company, Thistle Stop Café, a paper and seeing studio and a global marketplace called Shared Trade. Today, Thistle Farms employees more than 50 survivors and benefits over 700 women a year.  Proceeds support Thistle Farms and the residential program, Magdalene. The community provides housing, food, healthcare, therapy and education for two years, without charging residents or receiving taxpayer money. www.thistlefarms.org

Thistle Farms Nourishing Body Butter: $18. A light twist on traditional “body butter”. Nourishing Body Butter by Thistle Farms provides all the benefits of thick creams with less bulk and more healing hydration. Available in two scents our body butter glides on like silk with a refreshingly airy application.

Thistle Farms Bath Soak: $12. Infused with essential oils our salt soaks provide an array of healing benefits that include relief from anxiety, muscle soreness and the replenishment of key minerals and nutrients. Available in 3 scents, transform your bath into a meditative experience.

Thistle Farms ReEnergize Set: Four minty fresh bath essentials sure to ReEnergize your morning routine. Great for both men & women, this gift set includes: Eucalyptus Mint Body Wash, Bath Soak, Shave Gel, & Tea Tree Mint Lip Balm. Blended with invigorating mint-based essential oils and natural ingredients, each product is formulated to soothe and uplift the body and mind.

Global Wonders

Global Wonders is a part of SA Foundation (SAF) Canada, whose goal is to stop the sexual exploitation and trafficking of young women through implementing their unique recovery model. All Global Wonders Products are handmade in Nepal by women who’ve been rescued from Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation. Each purchase helps to support another woman’s journey to freedom from a life of slavery.  100% of your Global Wonders purchase is re-invested back into supporting the recovery and training programs of the SA Foundation. Your purchase is rewriting her story from a life of slavery from one of freedom and purchase.  www.beaglobalwonder.com.

Check out the latest collection of Global Wonders Products of Hope. Each piece was designed in Vancouver by women in our Skills Development program, volunteers who designed at our GW Design Night last year, and our in-house designers; and then carefully handcrafted just for you by women in our Nepal Skills Development Program.

Global Wonders Horizon Blue Bracelet. Price $10

Global Wonders Follow your Heart Gold Earrings $20

Global Wonders Lead the Way -Silver necklace. Price $40. Featuring silver plated chevron chain & triangle pendant, accented with brass accents, pyrite and jasper beads, suspended from silver coloured chain.

SutiSana

SutiSana is a social enterprise that provides dignified employment and opportunities for abundant life for women leaving prostitution and trafficking in El Alto, Bolivia.  In Aymara, Suti means name. In Spanish, Sana means healthy or healed. As women leave prostitution, they often leave behind a name they used there and find a new identity – a Healed Name.  When a woman joins SutiSana, she receives all benefits, including health insurance. She and her children are supported through community, and she is given opportunities to continually grow – learning to design bags, work with new materials, and even coach other women as they leave prostitution. www.sutisana.com

Pouchlet in Amazon Origins. Price $25.00

Se Llama Llama Kids Tee – Blue. Price $20.00

Jaunty Crossbody in Madidi Origins. Price $88.00

Her Future Coalition 

Her Future Coalition (formerly MadeBySurvivors) is an international nonprofit organization which employs and educates survivors of slavery and other human rights abuses, including many women and children living in extreme poverty. Products include jewelry, bags, gifts and cards and prices range. 100% of profits go back to the survivors who made them. www.herfuturecoalition.org

Her Future Coalition Invisible World Drop Earrings $55

Her Future Coalition Olive Branch Necklace $44

Her Future Coalition Bloom Silver Necklace $55

 

Just think the world of difference our purchases can make around the world!

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References:

1. Polaris Project
2. “Buy the Change You Want to See: Use Your Purchasing Power to Make the World a Better Place”. Jane Mosbacher Morris. (Penguin Random House/ TarcherParigee January 2019).