Anti Slavery Day, 18 October

‘Slav’n Away for Anti Slavery Day by Lov’n Away’

Do you ever feel you have been ‘slav’n away’ all day, only to find you are then ‘slav’n away’ over a hot stove and finish up the evening ‘slav’n away’ over the kids’ homework?

But you know that actually you have earned some money during the day, you have cooked for those you are choosing to live with, and you love your children and want them to get on. You have been ‘lov’n away’ from dawn to dusk … and more!

Yet in a street near you someone is ‘slav’n away’ for no money of their own, their energy and labour exploited for those who own them. They are today’s slaves, just as humiliated, degraded and de-humanised as those Wilberforce campaigned for. It’s called human trafficking. It is up there globally with the drug trade as one of the biggest commodity markets in the world, it is an international crime … and 80% of victims are women and girls.

The trouble is it’s hidden because it is illicit. Hidden, but only just enough – those who can enjoy its fruits can detect it. Those who come close to it in the course of their work, front-line workers, can suspect it, as can those who are aware of the signs. You can too. Then you can report your suspicions, anonymously if you prefer to Crimestoppers, 0800 555 111.

And you can do so much more. This year, Anti Slavery Day on 18 October is being used to draw attention to this secret crime in our midst. So how do you feel about sharing your ability to do a little ‘lov’n’ to:

RAISE AWARENESS of this obscene trade. It is reckoned that some 12,000 women and girls are held against their will in sex trafficking locations in the UK today.

i) Many high street shops are lying empty. Take one on for the week beginning 17 October, hopefully rent-free, and set up a purple themed window display on human trafficking.

ii) Alternatively, have a purple themed display in your local shopping centre.

To help support events, Purple Teardrop Campaign’s new posters and leaflets plus purple teardrop pinbadges are available from www.purpleteardrop.org.uk .

iii) Films and film clips vividly illustrating human trafficking are available on the internet. Using a selection, hold an awareness raising film evening. We recommend:

My Dangerous Loverboy film launched Sept 2010 to combat child sexual exploitation. A film designed to protect children and young people who might be vulnerable to sexual exploitation. You can watch the video on http://www.mydangerousloverboy.com/ To obtain copies of My Dangerous Loverboy, send an e-mail to UKHTC@soca.x.gsi.gov.uk There is an education pack that goes with it called Friend or Foe. Ask for a copy at the same time as you ask for the DVD.

Behind the Smile documentary aimed at young men. This documentary aims to raise awareness amongst young men of the causes and consequences of sex trafficking and the role they play in perpetuating or tackling this human rights abuse. Available from the Anti-Trafficking Alliance, email info@atalliance.org.uk You can watch the DVD on the Purple Teardrop website; go to “Resources”

Two Little Girls animated film. Two Little Girls is a powerful and cautionary tale which has already become a talking point amongst victims of the sex-trafficking trade. (2010). While many films on the subject are often distressing and difficult to watch, this film draws in the audience with its animated fairy tale style and music before hitting home with its serious message. Watch it on
http://www.impressions-gallery.com/exhibitions/exhibition.php?id=30The video is available to download further down the page but the “Not Natasha” work is interesting too.

CBC Interview with Victor Malarek. CBC News Sunday interview with Victor Malarek on prostitution and his book “The Johns, Sex for Sale and the Men Who Buy It” Often amusing but a hard-hitting and insightful view from Victor Malarek (Author of “The Natashas”) on why sex trafficking is increasing, and on issues of supply and demand. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6Mj2haletE

Human Trafficking a general release film from around 2005. A 16 year-old girl from the Ukraine joins a modelling agency seeking a better life in the United States; in South-East Asia a 12 year-old American girl is on holiday with her parents; in Prague a young mother is swept off her feet by a wealthy businessman. Soon, all these women have disappeared. They are young, vulnerable and have become prey to a dark criminal element specialising in human trafficking.

The Presenter’s Kit focus on US sex trafficking. This is a 3 disc DVD box set (Svetlana’s Journey, Cargo: Innocence Lost, Human Trafficking). Each film provides a different perspective on the world of human and sex trafficking. Providing hard-hitting facts, with captivating visual imagery, and heartfelt stories from victims and victims’ advocates, http://www.istoptraffic.com/html/presenters_kit.html

iv) Hold a book club evening and review the many and varied books on human trafficking and its victims. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Slave by Mende Nazer and Damien Lewis
Sold by Zan Muhsen and Andrew Crofts
Enslaved: The New British Slavery by Rahila Gupta
Radhika’s Story: Surviving Human Trafficking by Sharon Hendry
Human Trafficking: a Global Perspective by Louise Shelley
Slave Girl by Sarah Forsyth with Tim Tate
Selling Olga: Stories of Human Trafficking and Resistance by Louisa Waugh
Modern Slavery: The Secret World of 27 Million People by Kevin Bales, Zoe Trodd and Alex Kent Williamson
The Natashas by Victor Malarek

SUPPORT RESCUED VICTIMS. They need very specialised safe care to help them overcome their de-humanisation. It is expensive!

Hold a purple-themed fund-raiser, perhaps a coffee morning, afternoon tea or American supper Or simply by ‘lov’n’ an hour … or two … or three … Bake a cake, mow a lawn, clean a car or a carpet, shampoo a head or a dog to help someone in need in your community.

Add your ideas and photos for your ‘lov’n away’ action for Anti Slavery Day to the Purple Teardrop Campaign facebook page. The more the merrier.