January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and here at Redemption Market, the heart of our small business is to see the captives set free.  At our core, we are an anti-trafficking small business, which is why we so carefully align ourselves with brands that not only give back to combat human trafficking, but also offer a new opportunity to jump into when they escape, making their rescue one that can last. Meaning, they get free, and then stay free. 

Human trafficking can be defined as, "the illegal transport of human beings whose services — such as manual labor, domestic servitude or commercial sex acts — are sold for profit. Human trafficking victims engage in these acts via force. They are recruited or sold into involuntary servitude."

Human slavery is the newest form of modern-day slavery. It occurs in every country, in every socioeconomic demographic, but it primarily occurs in impoverished and war-torn communities in East Asia, the Middle East, and Middle Africa.

Facts about human trafficking:

Human trafficking is usually caused by poverty and desperation more than kidnapping and abduction. Often in these poor communities, someone desperate to provide for their family is promised a job opportunity with training that sounds hopeful and life changing, and ends up not being what was promised. Due to their desperate need, they usually don't see or know the signs that this is trafficking, and don't understand until they're trapped.

According to The International Labour Organization, there are approximately 40.3 million victims of human trafficking globally.

"For a sense of scale, that’s well over the size of California’s population. Of these millions of victims, 25 percent are children, 75 percent are female, and 81 percent are trapped in some form of forced labor." (forgottenchildren.org)

Understanding risk factors:

There are many reasons someone could have an increased risk of being trafficked, but some of the main factors would be:

-Mental health concerns

-Involved in the child well-fare system

-Runaway/homeless

-Recent Migrant

-Drug use

-Poverty

-Sex workers

-Isolated or marginalized populations

There are many more factors, but we wanted to give you an idea of how prevalent this issue is, and how it can affect so many people in many demographics.

What are the warning signs someone is being trafficked?

Often times the people being trafficked are the ones who appear malnourished or injured. They usually are with another person who is large and in charge and highly controlling, while they themselves avoid making eye contact and interact with others as little as possible. Some of the big places you may be able to spot these people are on airplanes, trains, and even inside hospitals. 

If you see something, say something. The Human Trafficking Hotline is available 24/7, at 888-373-7888. 

What can YOU do to stop it?

Now that we've told you some of the info about how human trafficking happens, you may be thinking, "Is there anything I can even do? I'm just one person."

Yes, there is! You have more power than you could possibly know, and are more than capable of changing lives. We've listed a few ideas for you to choose how you can impact this cause, and how you (yes you!) can make a change for good.

1. Shop brands that are anti-trafficking

Many fast fashion clothing companies are actually sourced through slave and child labor in other countries, meaning that one way you can make an impact is by NOT supporting those brands, and choosing instead to vote with your dollars for companies that are working to turn the tide.

We've compiled some of these brands together into our Freedom Shop so that you can easily shop them all! For the complete list, check out our blog post about Brands That Fight Human Trafficking.

-Starfish Project

Starfish Project is a jewelry company founded and run out of Eastern Asia that rescues women who are being exploited and trafficked, and gives them fair and dignified wages learning how to make jewelry, sew, photography, and more, as well as providing them with furthered education, healthcare, and safe housing, making sure they are able to care for their families and never return to slavery. Learn more about Starfish Project and the work they're doing here.

-Sela Designs

Sela is a jewelry organization that was founded out of the United States as a nonprofit to combat trafficking.  They donate 100% of their net profits to organizations that fight human trafficking, and source many of their jewelry components from survivor artisans in Southeast Asia and Kenya, ensuring fair and living wages for all involved in the production of the beautiful jewelry pieces available to you. Learn more about Sela's mission here.

-Calyan Wax Co.

Calyan is a candle company based out of Texas that produces toxin free candles. Made from ethically sourced soy wax and free of parabens, phthalates, and artificial fragrances, they give back to organizations that fight human trafficking in the USA. Learn more about them here.

-Eden

Eden's mission is to Be Light, Bring Love, Share Hope. Based in Southeast Asia, they've taken on the area that hosts more than half of the global total of human trafficking population. Their jewelry is made by survivors with the story attached of the woman who inspired the piece, and they give back to rescue more women from slavery. Learn more about how Eden is fighting human trafficking here.

-Not I But We

Not I But We is based in South Africa, and boasts handmade scrunchies and headbands made "with love and living wages" by survivors of human trafficking. These gorgeous hair accessories are created in a space that dares women to be empowered to dream again, and rebuild their lives to one better than ever before. Learn more about the work they do for survivors here.

2. Donate to causes that fight back

Another option to make an impact is to donate to causes that are dedicated to combating this issue of human trafficking. They are "boots on the ground" people, getting their hands dirty to rescue the ones who need it the most.

-Compassion International

Compassion works to rescue children from poverty and remove their risk of becoming trafficked.  Compassion partners with local churches around the world to sponsor children, sometimes even in the womb, who could be high risk for trafficking, and ensure they're fed, clothed, educated, and given health care. They help each child sponsored to grow into who God intended them to be, and gives them a brighter future than before. Learn more about how you can partner with Compassion International here.

-The Exodus Road

The Exodus Road treats the act of combating human trafficking as a tactical war operation. They train law enforcement to identify traffickers and victims, and work with them to arrest and prosecute traffickers, and rescue victims. They also give intentional after care to newly rescued victims, ensuring that they are given the proper care to process their trauma and rebuild their lives for the better.  They've rescued nearly 3,000 men, women, and children, and have trained more than 45,000 law enforcement personnel to join them in their cause. Learn more about how you can partner with them here.

This post was compiled by Redemption Market, a social impact shop in Phoenix, Arizona. We are an anti-trafficking small business that partners with other causes to see those get set free who've been trapped in bondage. Visit our website to learn more about us, or visit on of our shops in Phoenix and Scottsdale.