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If you’re like me you’ve used Craigslist at one time or another.  We’ve sold a bed and a TV, purchased a bulletin board, and looked for furniture on Craigslist.  It is great on a lot of levels and for the things the majority of people who use it, it functions well.

BUT, my endorsement of that site has officially ended.  I recently learned that Craigslist is a major means by which girls are trafficked into the sex industry.  And because Craig’s list charges for pimps to advertise they make an estimated $36 million a year.  What are these advertisements?  Simply put, women and children for sale.  This means of advertising makes it difficult to trace these evil people making the risk less than selling drugs. And, unlike drugs, a girl’s body can be sold over and over and is way more lucrative.  In one typical case a girl was raped at truck stops 10 times per night, 7 days per week netting $30,000 per month for the pimp.  All of which was arranged via Craigslist.

A recent letter was published in the San Fransisco Chronicle.  It is a letter from two girls who are Craigslist trafficking survivors asking, no pleading, for Craig’s list to stop being a means of rape for profit.  You can read what was published on Huffington post:  Dear Craig…

I’m still on the lookout for a good alternative to Craigslist.  If you know of one please respond to this post.  In the meantime, I might have to buy and sell via Ebay, or better yet, donate my used stuff to a good charity.

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Area residents are getting more informed thanks to recent broadcasts highlighting sex trafficking of minors within the United States.  Two recent reports to watch or listen to on the web:

-FOX News Phoenix (Channel 10) just recently did a major piece on the issue.  Their story focused on a Phoenix girl who was sold by a friend to a pimp at age 16.  It talked about the complete control she was under and how she was forced to have sex at various people’s apartments while the pimp took the payment.  It’s progress to see the local media starting to expose the epidemic in our city.  The report is worth seeing.
Watch here

It also highlighted Street Light, a local ministry that is getting ready to open the doors of a new aftercare facility that can house 50 girls.  It is a revolutionary endeavor made possible by several Valley churches, including CCV (Christ Church of the Valley.)

– KJZZ, 91.5 NPR radio did an interview with Linda Smith of Shared Hope International.  She talked about the problem of child sex trafficking in Phoenix and among other things, the state laws which are insufficient in protecting children from being prostituted and in prosecuting the perpetrators.  See the entry  below for more information on the HB2699.

Listen to broadcast here

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Hope Jewelry accomplishes it’s mission of educating our community through more than merely speaking at or participating in events.  One of our challenges to everybody learning about human trafficking is that they tell other people.  We all have our unique group of people with whom we have a relationship and sharing with them will hopefully lead to more sharing and more sharing until there is no longer ignorance on the issue.

We are so happy to hear stories of people “passing it on.”  One unexpected way for people to  engage others in this conversation is through wearing a Hope Jewelry piece. Here is one first-hand account:


bobble purse

I saw the colorful bobble purse at a home showing Hope Jewelry did and I fell in love with it. It is a little funky and very unique. I immediately saw the potential for conversation it would create but I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Now when I walk into a store I am lucky to get out within thirty minutes for how many times I am stopped and asked about the purse. It is never a passing conversation either; most of the time it starts with “I got this from Hope Jewelry who sells hand crafted items from places all over the world who work to free sex slaves. This purse was actually made by a survivor in Nepal who is using Hope Jewelry to make a new life.” Then twenty minutes later the conversation ends with one more person being educated on the issue and one more person who feels empowered to do something about it. I estimate that in one week I go through about 10-15 Hope Jewelry business cards based solely on the conversations that started as “Wow thats a cute purse, where did you get it?”

- Breanna Reeser, Chandler, AZ

How about you?
Has Hope Jewelry helped you learn about sex trafficking?
Have you had opportunities to explain what is going on?
What has your experience been with our merchandise, service, educational materials?

We’d love to hear from you- either here on this blog or via email at info@hopejewelry.org.

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HB2699 would tighten existing law in a few ways, including the elimination of the loophole that allows purchasers of sex to claim they did not know the person was under age. Click here to read the bill going up for a vote any day now.  We’ll give an update on the blog when we learn the outcome of this important piece of legislation.  The passage of this bill would be a huge victory for opponents of sex trafficking here in Phoenix.

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2nd Annual Awareness & Action:
A Human Trafficking Workshop
Childhood Not Chains

Friday, Jan 8, 2010 8:00 am- 3:00 pm
Paradise Valley Community College

As community members we have a great opportunity to participate in this conference to raise awareness and mobilize the community into action.  The focus is on state issues regarding trafficking with an emphasis on minors. The all-day seminar consists of two main speaking sessions as well as interactive and informational workshop breakout sessions.  A working lunch will have attendees grouped by region for community action planning.

The featured speakers are : Chris Brey with the Phoenix Police Department Vice Squad and Cindy Holt with Catholic Charities.  The workshops will be led by several leaders from the community.  These include: Brianna Reeser, Creating faith-based initiatives to fight trafficking;Peggy Bilsten, Community action legislation; Kelly Luther, Victim Services.

Last year this conference was the first of it’s kind locally.  135 people attended and they are hoping to double that this year. The conference has limited resources for promotion so please pass this information on to your friends, family and church communities so they won’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this important day.

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GENERAL & REGISTRATION INFORMATION

2nd Annual Awareness & Action:
A Human Trafficking Workshop
Childhood Not Chains

Friday, Jan. 8, 2010
8:00AM - 3:00PM
@ Paradise Valley Community College in the Studio Theater

Please share this announcement with interested students and community members.

Registration fee: $11, includes box lunch, payable at the door with cash or check

To register: www.pvc.maricopa.edu/int/register.html
Registration Deadline: Jan. 5. 2009

Sponsoring Organizations:
Paradise Valley Community College’s Center for International Studies
International Rescue Committee’s Arizona League to End Regional Trafficking
Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence

For More Information:
Michele Marion 77296 michele.marion@pvmail.maricopa.edu
Katie Resendiz  Katie.Resendiz@theIRC.org | 602 433 2440 x220
Stephanie Mayer  Stephanie.Mayersa4@azcadv.org

Shop Hope Jewelry.org and you’ll find a large selection of jewelry, accessories, purses, scarves and paper products- all handmade by survivors of sex trafficking.  In addition we have specialty holiday items.

Ukrainian egg ornamentsThe Ukrainian egg ornaments were such a hit last Christmas that we’ve acquired even more this year. These classic wooden egg ornaments are made in the Ukraine.  They are exquisitely hand-painted with traditional designs by survivors of human trafficking. Sale Price: $10.00 each

Christmas cards

Christmas cards made with hope send an added message to their recipients.  The stunning leaf designed cards are made in Nepal by Bhaktapur Craft Printers,  Kathmandu, Nepal.  This organization employs poor and low caste women who risk becoming human trafficking victims..  The paper is handmade from renewable fibers.  Set of 8 cards and envelopes with 2 different designs.  Sale Price: $12.00

gift card3
Gift cards are now available! Make it is easy on yourself and let your loved one pick just what they want. Hope Jewelry has such a diverse selection of items that it might make sense for you to let the recipient choose a gift as unique as they are.  A gift card may be given in any denomination.  They are elegant enough to give on their own or tucked in with your Christmas card.

Ordering information at hopejewelry.org or info@hopejewelry.org or
by calling 602-465-0131.

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End of SlaveryNot that you need an excuse to get together with friends over the holidays but now you have another reason to deck the halls with boughs of holly. Regardless of your personal knowledge base showing the International Justice Mission documentary, At the End of Slavery, is a great action step you can take!   (See previous blog entry for more on the film) Along with the film there are additional resources from IJM to help you talk intelligently about the issue with your guests.  If you are interested you can go to IJM’s site for step-by-step instructions.


In addition, consider having
Hope Jewelry merchandise available for sale.  We’ve found at recent awareness events people are anxious to do something, no matter how small, to contribute to the cause.  Our merchandise is all handmade by survivors of sex trafficking.  We offer a marketplace for their goods enabling them to produce more products.  Their work not only supports them financially but offers a means of restoration and vocational training as they move toward reintegration into their culture.  We can arrange for you to sell on our behalf which is on behalf of the women we represent.  You have the option of displaying some merchandise, providing written materials or a having the Hope Jewelry catalog available.

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A powerful video revealing the massive global crisis of human trafficking has recently been released by International Justice Mission.  IJM has put together a half-hour documentary about modern-day slavery and the movement to put an end to it.  At the End of Slavery: The Battle for Justice in our Time has music by Moby and Johnny Cash and is narrated by Danny Glover.   IJM’s promotional materials state that

abolitiontool2“Two hundred years ago, British abolitionists used an etching of a packed slave ship to expose the brutality of slavery to people who had never seen a slave themselves. The image galvanized the abolition movement and the trans-Atlantic slave trade crumbled under fierce opposition. Today, IJM’s supporters carry the torch of these courageous abolitionists…”

At the End of Slavery is a tool to introduce your friends and family to the violent and ugly business of modern-day slavery - and equip them to join the battle to end this trade for good.”…

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Life in a Cage

lifeincage1Surekha has spent much of her life in this four-by-six-foot (one-by-two-meter) brothel cell in Mumbai, India. She sleeps, prepares her meals, and stores her few possessions here—and this is where she serviced the customer who infected her with HIV.

This photograph is part of a  National Geographic report on 21st century slavery.  At the site there are photos and captions of other types of slavery in other countries.  I highly recommend checking it out.  As we know, pictures speak louder than words.

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Sex Tourism

It’s pretty much what it sounds like.  Men come from all over the world to spend their vacations frequenting places where they can buy sex, oftentimes with children.  Popular destinations include Costa Rica and other Latin American countries.  East Asia is also a hot spot with Bangkok, Thailand earning the reputation of being the place to go.

Sex Tourism
Who are these guys?  They are two of the 500,000 annual foreign tourists visiting Thailand for sex tourism. They are undoubtably from the US, Europe or Australia since most of the tourists are from wealthy nations.


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The PROTECT Act makes it illegal for an American to sexually abuse a minor in another country. Perpetrators can receive up to 30 years in jail.

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