Human Trafficking
Key Components of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation
Who we Help
Poverty stricken and marginalized girls are often sold, often by their own families, into sex slavery. Once exploited through the sex trade, escape to a different life is nearly impossible. Considered “damaged goods” and having no other way to earn a living, these women are doomed to a life
of physical abuse, disease, and despair. Made for Freedom’s partners provide dignified employment and a safe place to obtain education and marketable skills, like sewing or making jewelry, that empowers them to earn a dignified living, lift themselves out of poverty and experience freedom.
Thailand
Online articles proclaim Thailand, Costa Rica, Kenya, Japan, and The Netherlands as the “Top 5 Sex Tourism Destinations.”
According to the 2014 Trafficking In Persons Report, "The majority of the trafficking victims within Thailand— tens of thousands of victims, by conservative estimates—are migrants from Thailand’s neighboring countries who are forced, coerced, or defrauded into labor or exploited in the sex trade."
Our Creabeli Pants and Crossbody Bags are made in Thailand by women rescued from the sex trade industry or those previously in vulnerable situations.
Your purchase here provides dignified employment there.
India
Sonagachi, a single red light district in Calcutta, India has over 10,000 women being prostituted out.
Made for Freedom tee shirts are made from 100% organic cotton and are currently available in junior and standard cuts. We purchase our tees from Freeset Global in Calcutta. Freeset trains and employs women who have escaped a life of prostitution in Sonagachi, a nearby red light district that houses over 10,000 women selling themselves every day.
Join the Fight
We believe that every person was created with intrinsic value and made for freedom. These quotes represent what we are fighting against.
“Virtually every country in the world is affected by trafficking for sexual exploitation or forced labour. Reliable global data are limited, but the number of victims is believed to be reaching epidemic proportions.” - United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking
“In India, a child goes missing every eight minutes, according to data from the National Crime Records Bureau. Almost 40% of those children haven’t been found.” India Real Time
“India probably has more modern slaves than any country in the world. It has millions of women and girls in its brothels, often held captive for their first few years until they grow resigned to their fate. China surely has more prostitutes, but they are typically working voluntarily. India’s brothels are also unusually violent, with ferocious beatings common and pimps sometimes even killing girls who are uncooperative.” New York Times
Resources:
BOOKS
Sex Slaves: The Trafficking of Women in Asia by Louise Brown
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls Are Not for Sale: A Memoir by Rachel Lloyd
MOVIES
Nefarious: Merchant of Souls
Born into Brothels: Calcutta’s Red Light Kids
WEBSITES
ATEST (Alliance To End Slavery & Trafficking)
International Justice Mission
Made in a Free World
Not for Sale
Polaris Project
“Today, there are more men, women and children enslaved than at any time in history. Together, we can stop slavery once and for all.” – ATEST
