Sex Slavery: Raise Awareness

The facts:

• 12.3 to 27 million human beings are enslaved around the world. Seventy-nine percent are forced into sexual servitude.
• 66 percent of human trafficking victims are women and 13 percent are girls.
• In the United States, the average age of entry into prostitution is 12 to 14.

Too few people know that slavery still exists in the 21st Century. A first step in ending slavery is to create awareness. By raising awareness, the number of people engaged in the fight to end slavery will increase.

What is Soroptimist Doing?
Each year, Soroptimists around the world create awareness about sex slavery with a special event on December 2, the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, or, in the United States, on January 11, the National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness. On both days, Soroptimists place sex slavery awareness cards in visible locations throughout their communities—police stations, women's centers, hospitals, etc. They also hand out the cards at transportation centers such as bus stations, subway stops and truck stops.

In addition, Soroptimist clubs hold presentations and panel discussion in their communities to raise awareness.

• Soroptimist clubs in Southwest Washington, Vancouver and Camas-Washougal, Washington, partnered with other organizations to create the Northwest Coalition Against Trafficking. NWACT held a conference in January 2010, bringing together multiple partners to educate attendees that trafficking is happening in their communities. The conference drew more than 400 people, a U.S. senator and national press attention. In addition to raising awareness, the conference raised more than $3,000 for a future shelter in Portland, Oregon. 
  
  
• The Soroptimist club in Greater Minneapolis, Minnesota, held a fundraiser and panel discussion to bring awareness to the community and raise funds for victims of human trafficking in Minnesota and beyond. The panel included trafficking expert Dr. Kevin Bales, co-founder of Free the Slaves. More than 100 people attended.
  
  
• Soroptimist clubs in Curitiba, Curitiba-Gloria and Curitiba-Batel, Brazil, handed out more than 15,000 leaflets on sex trafficking and domestic violence while explaining the intention of the Soroptimists STOP Trafficking awareness program. Members targeted distribution to the public and beauty salons, medical offices, schools, pharmacies, and service clubs.

• Soroptimist clubs in Kawasaki and Kawasaki-Ruri, Japan, partnered with two gender equality and human rights offices and a civil liberties commissioner to create, exhibit and distribute posters, flyers, and information cards throughout the year. The deputy mayor praised Soroptimist in his speech at a children's rights event for helping both children in Japan and around the world. Their work has also been recognized by the Kawasaki Human Rights Ombudsman and the Human Rights Protection Committee offered their partnership for the club's sex trafficking initiatives.

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