Raising Funds to End Sex Trafficking in Duluth
I have spoken here about my involvement with a group called A Beautiful Rescue. Our mission is to end sex trafficking in our hometown, Duluth, Minnesota, and to provide healing for victims. Our vision is to accomplish this through the arts. We will be selling art by local artists to raise money in order to get our organization off the ground, working toward opening a safe house for victims. After that, the goal is to use art to help victims heal, and to provide them an outlet to sell their work in order to earn an income, as well as continue to fund the program.
For right now, the only art available to purchase online is located at my new Zazzle.com store, located at http://www.zazzle.com/duluthabolitionist. At the moment I only have 8″ x 10″ photo prints available for sale, but I intend to add many other products featuring my photography. For every print you order, 50% will be donated to A Beautiful Rescue. Please note, however, that I am not a 501(c)3 non-profit, and neither is A Beautiful Rescue—Yet. We are working toward 501(c)3 non-profit status. This means your purchase will not be tax deductible. However, you will be supporting a great cause and helping victims of sex trafficking in the Duluth-Superior area become survivors.
Please check out my store and consider purchasing one of my photo prints. http://www.zazzle.com/duluthabolitionist
Available photos include:
If you’d like to donate to A Beautiful Rescue, but don’t wish to purchase any photography, you can do so at abeautifulrescue.com/donate.aspx
Thanks!!
Back by Popular Demand
I’m not saying I’ll be able to post as often as I did when my Daily Duluth project first started—I’ve gotten lazy and no longer walk to work, although I know I should. But I do miss taking pictures of the awesomeness that is Duluth so here’s the first of, I hope, a renewed regular posting of photographs of and around Duluth, MN.
2012.01.02 Duluth from Enger Park, sunset
2012.01.02 A panorama of Duluth and Lake Superior as seen from Enger Park, sunset
Related articles
- Move from Twin Cities to Duluth (tjohnsonpd1.wordpress.com)
- Duluth Pack Manufacturing the Highest Quality Hunting Packs (prweb.com)
Friday December 2nd A Beautiful Rescue held an event at the Zeitgeist Arts Cafe in downtown Duluth, MN to raise awareness of the presence of human trafficking in Duluth, and to raise funds for the victims of sex trafficking. The main goal was to get the word out, to open the City’s eyes to this violence happening in our home town, right under our noses, and to change the paradigm with which we view the women who are victims. Secondly, we aimed to raise funds for A Beautiful Rescue, which has the ultimate goal of providing safe, permanent housing for victims that will provide an atmosphere of healing and rehabilitation.
We were successful!
About 200 people attended the event (the number may sound small, but it was a small venue… more than 200 and we may have violated a fire code) and even more read and watched the great coverage from our local media. People were drawn in off the street by the live music, and those eating dinner at the restaurant in the building came over to see what all the commotion was about. Many were shocked and surprised to learn about what is going on in our city and still more left with a desire to help stop sex trafficking.
We were also able to raise a good amount of money through the ticket sales, art sale, silent auction and donations so we can continue to raise awareness and bring healing to victims.
If you were unable to attend the event you can still donate to A Beautiful Rescue online at http://abeautifulrescue.com/donate.aspx.
You can also check out some photos of the event at http://abeautifulrescue.com/events.aspx.
And check out some of the great media coverage:
- Duluthians rally against human trafficking. Duluth News Tribune, Julie Krienke, for the Budgeteer. 12.09.2011
- Northlanders Get Together to Fight Human Trafficking. Fox News (KQDS), Dana Thayer. 12.02.2011
- Duluthians Bring Awareness to “Shocking” Reality of Sex Crimes, Northland’s News Center (KDLH3), Jena Pike. 12.02.2011
Related articles
- New Video: U.S. Taxpayer Dollars Facilitating Human Labor Trafficking on Military Bases (pogoblog.typepad.com)
- The Fight Against Human Trafficking (jadetanzil.wordpress.com)
Sex Trafficking Awareness Event in Duluth, MN
Hello everyone! I’m writing today with the hopes that everyone who sees this will respond in a big way.
I’m going to start off with some numbers.
- 4000 children are sexually exploited in Minnesota every year.
- 350 Native American girls were victims of sex trafficking over a 4 year period – that only includes those who have spoken up
- “For every one [sex trafficking victim] that you hear about there’s probably seven to 10 that you don’t.” – Lt. Scott Drewlo, Duluth Police Department
- 1 in every 3 Native American women will be raped at some point in their lives
- 14 years old is the average age of most sex trafficking victims in the U.S.
- Victims are forced to have sex an average of 2000 times a year.
I am involved with an organization called A Beautiful Rescue which aims to end sex trafficking in the area of Duluth, Minnesota. Our immediate concern is providing the necessary services victims need to transition out of “the life.” Currently there is no central location that provides everything a victim of sex trafficking needs to become a survivor of sex trafficking.
The biggest need in this area is shelter. We need a home for these women and children to live in while they are receiving the care, love and support they need to recover and heal from their incarceration in the world of sex trafficking.
This is where you come in. THIS FRIDAY, December 2nd, if you are in or around Duluth I am begging you to come to a semi-formal fund-raising event being held at the Zeitgeist Arts Cafe at 222 East Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802. The cost is $25 paid at the door and you will get to enjoy a specialty drink, appetizers, live musical and spoken word performances by local artists and survivors. There will also be an art sale and silent auction, with proceeds going to A Beautiful Rescue to provide after care services for victims.
For more information, a map, and an invitation you can print out and give to others, visit A Beautiful Rescue’s Events page.
I have seen comments posted from people claiming that this is a victimless crime. Why are we wasting time arresting people for prostitution when everyone involved gets what they want and no one gets hurt? I have an incredibly difficult time keeping my temper in check when I read things like this. I don’t know, maybe we are not doing a good enough job educating the public on why, exactly, this cannot, under any circumstance, be classified as a victimless crime. Maybe we haven’t spent enough time talking about how these women and children are kidnapped, beaten, verbally abused, threatened, drugged, raped, and sometimes even killed so that a sex trafficker can make money.
No one wakes up and says, “I know, I’ll be a prostitute. It will be so awesome!” This is an extremely violent crime and it is happening to 14 year olds. It’s not just once or twice, it’s YEARS, it’s 10 times a day, it’s 2000 times a year and not a single one of them said, “yes, this is what I want for my life.” Not a single one volunteered willingly to be violated and tortured day in, and day out.
That is why we are joining the fight to end it and to provide victims what they need to feel safe, loved and hopeful for a bright future.
Please join us December 2nd at the Zeitgeist.
Resources:
CBS (WCCO) – Duluth Church Starts Initiative to End Sex Trafficking
Liz Collin reporting, CBS, September 20, 2011
See reporter Liz Collin’s original report on Sex Trafficking on the North Shore from May 5, 2011 (CBS)
Fox News (KQDS) – “Breaking Free” from Sex Trafficking Coached in Duluth
Jacob Kittilstad and photojournalist Adam Jagunich, FOX, September 19, 2011
A Passion Found – Ending Human Trafficking
Psalm 10:18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.
I posted this already in another blog of mine, Working With What You Have, but I feel it’s important enough to repeat over and over and over.
When we first moved to Duluth our pastor approached my husband and I at a membership meeting and asked us what our passions were. Wow, heavy question. Passion? There are plenty of things I like and things that are my hobbies, but a passion?
At the time I did not have a very good answer. There was nothing I am truly passionate about; nothing I would sacrifice much of anything for. Other than my husband and marriage there is nothing I would consider committing to and allowing to consume any large portion of my life. This began to bother me and I couldn’t stop thinking about it, so a few months ago I started praying and asking for a passion.
Yesterday I attended an informational seminar (from Breaking Free) on human/sex trafficking in the US, and more specifically in Minnesota, and my heart broke. How can I not be passionate about stopping this huge, evil, black market industry? Some statistics on the subject:
- 27 million people are being trafficked at any given moment (more than ANY other time in history), 80% are women and children (Kevin Bales of Free the Slaves and US Dept. of Justice)
- Human trafficking is a $32 billion a year black-market industry, second only to illegal drugs and tied with black market arms dealing (the U.N.)
- $10 billion of the $32 billion comes from the first sale of a human being, i.e. people are sold time and time again
- 90% of the children trafficked in the United States were also born in the United States
- Minnesota is ranked 13th in the nation for highest incidence in recruitment of minors (FBI)
- Human trafficking is blind to race, country of origin, and socio-economic status.
- The average age of entry into commercial sex in the United States is 12-14 year old (UNICEF)
- More statistics at Breaking Free
Last night I learned that human trafficking is widespread, it is in Duluth, and that Duluth is ill-equipped to handle the needs of trafficking victims. I have to get involved. I have to be passionate about this.
At the meeting I attended I couldn’t help but sign up to volunteer for just about everything they were looking for, but until I hear back from them I have been looking for other ways to get involved sooner.
My sweet new Freeset bag
1. I bought a Freeset bag. They were selling these at the presentation. The bags are jute, high quality, and come in a variety of styles. They are made by Freeset, a company based in Calcutta, India. They also produce 100% FLO (Fair Trade Labeling Organizations) Certified organic cotton tee-shirts. From their website: “Freeset is a fair trade business offering employment to women trapped in Kolkata’s sex trade. We make quality jute bags and organic cotton t-shirts, but our business is freedom! We would like to see the 10,000 sex workers in our neighborhood empowered with the choice of leaving a profession they never chose in the first place.” Please look at the website and read more about their story and philosophy; I was blown away by their holistic approach to helping women break free from the sex trade in Calcutta. Not only do they offer the women a job, they also pay them twice the going wage for similar work, provide health insurance, training, financial and budgeting advice, childcare during working hours, literacy classes and retirement plans. They are also members of Fair Trade Federation (US based organization) and The World Fair Trade Organization. Their bags can be purchased at Better Way Imports, Tote Bags Direct, and Justice Ventures International (25% off Freeset bags until September 30, 2011). They also have a larger list of global vendors here. I plan to purchase these bags as Christmas gifts this year!
2. I’ve started reading the book Not For Sale – The Return of the Global Slave Trade and How We Can Fight It by David Batstone. I was hesitant at first because I wasn’t entirely certain I could, or wanted to, handle 276 pages of stories of abuse – that’s a lot of negativity to bring in to your life. I’m glad that I bought the book anyway. So far I’m on page 51 and so far it’s been focusing more on those who have taken a stand and the stories of successful activists/abolitionists working in Thailand and Burma to free children and women from the sex trade. It’s not depressing at all, it’s energizing and inspiring. $10.19 at Amazon.com or $14.99 direct from the Not For Sale Store.
Psalm 10:18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.
Resources
- Not For Sale – www.NotForSaleCampaign.org- “Not For Sale equips and mobilizes Smart Activists to deploy innovative solutions to re-abolish slavery in their own backyards and across the globe.” – International
- Shared Hope International – www.SharedHope.org – “Shared Hope International exists to rescue and restore women and children in crisis. We are leaders in a worldwide effort to prevent and eradicate sex trafficking and slavery through education and public awareness.” – International
- Girls Educational & Mentor Services – www.Gems-Girls.org – “Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS) is the only organization in New York State specifically designed to serve girls and young women who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking.” – New York
- Polaris Project – www.PolarisProject.org – “Polaris Project is committed to combating human trafficking and modern-day slavery, and to strengthening the anti-trafficking movement through a comprehensive approach.” – U.S. and International
- Veronica’s Voice – VeronicasVoice.org – “VERONICA’S Voice educates and provides resources to help clients with options to assist them in leaving a life of prostitution, sexual exploitation, drug addiction and violence, and to transition into new lives free from abuse. Survivors direct the programs and work with the clients at the VERONICA’S Voice SAFE Center.” – Kansas City
- US Department of Justice – www.justice.gov – United States
- Trafficking In Persons Report 2011 – www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2011/index.htm – “The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is the U.S. Government’s principal diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking.” – United States
- Breaking Free – www.BreakingFree.net – “We understand sex trafficking as a vicious cycle of violence, abuse, incarceration, and addiction. We understand that repeated experiences of violence undermines women and girls capacities to avoid further victimization. Sexual exploitation distorts the lives of women and girls, destroys families, and communities. ” – Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
- A Beautiful Rescue – www.ABeautifulRescue.com – “The vision of this ministry is to seek freedom and healing for the oppressed.” – Duluth, MN
- Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA) – www.PAVSA.org – “PAVSA is dedicated to the elimination of sexual violence in Southern St. Louis County through supporting victims, educating the community, and advocating for change.” – Duluth, MN
Related articles
- 1st forced into sex trade to get charges tossed (nydailynews.com)
- Reach globally, gather locally, end slavery (cantleaveunsaid.wordpress.com)
- Human Trafficking Research (lawlibraryblog.seattleu.edu)
- Where and Why to Buy Fair Trade Goods (wisebread.com)
- Fair trade spirits (carpediemclub.wordpress.com)
- 1st forced into sex trade to get charges tossed (nydailynews.com)
