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Shop to Fight Modern Slavery

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How to Shop Like an Abolitionist!

Did you know there are more slaves in the world today than there were two hundred years ago. If you didn't, you're not alone. Most people think of slavery as a tragedy of the past that ended with the Civil War. But while it's true that the Civil War ended legal slavery in the US, slavery still continues underground today. This is slavery in the traditional sense, where people are forced to do things without pay, and kept enslaved under threat of violence. You may be surprised to learn that many of the products we buy have been made with materials gathered by forced laborers. In addition to this, millions of women and children are sold into forced prostitution every day. Today slavery is known as "human trafficking" and it takes place in every country around the world, even in the United States.

You can help fight modern slavery by being informed, spreading awareness, and donating to organizations which fight slavery. Another way to help is by shopping at stores which support anti-slavery efforts, and buying fair trade (where laborors are assured a fair wage). You can find out more about how to shop to fight slavery below.

Products Made By Rescued Victims

When victims of human trafficking are rescued from slavery, they often need help finding legitimate work. The following shops provide employment opportunities to rescued victims of slavery, and usually also provide job training, continued education, and other help.
Products Made by Survivors - Polaris Project
Purchasing items made by survivors is just one concrete way that you can help in the reintegration process for survivors of human trafficking. This site lists many places which sell survivor made goods.
Made By Survivors Store
Sells various gift items made by survivors of human trafficking. They help survivors of slavery rebuild their lives after rescue from slavery by providing sustainable income, education and help reintegrating into society.
Buy Her Bag Not Her Body
Sells quality bags made by at-risk women and survivors of sexual exploitation, providing them with fair, sustainable employment opportunities. 100% of the profit is reinvested into training and career development programs for women. This site is an offshoot of the Nomi Network, a non-profit organization working to eradicate sexual slavery and the trafficking of women.
RIJI Green
RIJI Green partners with non-profit organizations and businesses that train and hire survivors of human trafficking and those at risk of being trafficked. They provide access to market opportunities for their products and donate a portion of the profits back to organizations that combat human trafficking.
Mercy House Shop
The items sold in this store benefit Mercy House, a maternity home in Nairobi, Kenya that aids young, pregnant girls. Products are made by residents. Though not all the young women served by Mercy House are victims of trafficking, being in an area that trafficking is common they do sometimes work with trafficked girls.
PUNJAMMIES by International Princess Project - Welcome
PUNJAMMIES%u2122 are stylish pajamas made by women in India rescued from forced prostitution seeking to rebuild their lives. Proceeds from the sales of PUNJAMMIES%u2122 provide fair-trade wages, savings accounts, and holistic recovery care.

Donate While You Shop

Another way to shop to fight slavery is to shop at places which donate all or portion of their proceeds to anti-slavery charities. You can find a list of some of these below.

Be careful when you shop to donate to check how much actually goes to the charity. Don't buy things you wouldn't otherwise, as it's more cost effective to donate directly in those cases.

Tiggy's House Shop

Building a Home for Child Trafficking Victims

All of the profits from this shop go to help Tiny Hands International build of a home for child victims of sex trafficking. The home will be named Tiggys House after the shop-owners son, Tiggy, who passed away at age 21 months.

Josephine knotted leather bracelet in burgundy and black | Price: $10

This black and burgundy leather bracelet is made with six one millimeter leather cords tied into a Josephine knot and accented with burgundy hemp. It... (full description)

Kumihimo hairstick barrette | Price: $15

Add a bit of Asian flair with a modern twist to your hairstyle. Simply twist a portion of your hair into a simple bun, hold in place with the knotted... (full description)

Black sprial hemp bracelet with fish charm | Price: $4

This spiral bracelet is made with black hemp and finished with a toggle clasp to easily put on and take off with one hand. A Christian fish symbol han... (full description)

Celtic knot bracelet with genuine Swarovski crystals | Price: $15

Add a bit of sparkle to your wardrobe with this celtic knot bracelet with genuine Austrian Swarovski crystals. A decorative celtic knot adds interest... (full description)

Fall bracelet with genuine Austrian Swarovski crystal | Price: $15

This beautiful bracelet is made with genuine Austrian Swarovski crystal to add sparkle to the vibrant colors of fall. A silver toned leaf charm adds c... (full description)

Ressurection Knits

Resurrection Knits donates all their profits to International Justice Mission, a human rights agency that brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression.donates.

Purple Diamond Lace Scarf- Knitting for Charity | Price: $90

Hand knit using 100% Merino wool. 50.75" long and 10.5" wide.

This scarf was knit using rescued yarn.

Washing instructions: Hand was... (full description)

| Price: $0

(full description)

Midnight Black Ear Flap Hat- Knitting for Charity | Price: $70

Hand knit using 100% wool. Flaps can be worn up or down. Super warm and light. Black ribbon for tying up. Ribbon is 14.5" long.

This hat was... (full description)

Purple Merino Wool Fingerless Gloves- Knitting for Charity | Price: $55

Hand knit using 100% Merino Wool. Super warm and stretchy.
These are 7" long and 3.5" wide.

These gloves were knit using rescued yarn.... (full description)

Midnight Black Moss Stitch Lambswool Belt- Knitting for Charity | Price: $75

Hand knit using 100% lambswool. 29" to 35". Measure where you would wear it. 4.5" wide.

This belt was knit using resurrected yarn a... (full description)

Handmade Hope

This shop donates all prodeeds to Grace Have House Grace Haven House, an organization which is seeking to build a create a home of hope, restoration, and rehabilitation for victims of child sex trafficking.

Delicate Flower Bobby Pin | Price: $5

Sweetly grace your tresses with this lovely flower pin. Elegant silky petals and graceful beading make for a lovely adornment piece.

Proceeds go t... (full description)

Key Plate | Price: $12

You finally won't lose your keys with this lovely plate in your home!

Proceeds will benefit Gracehaven House. www.gracehavenhouse.com (full description)

Flower Clip: Bright PInk | Price: $4

This cozy little bloom will add the perfect touch to your ringlets, swoopy bangs, or casual up-do. Made of purple felt with an attached clip, measure... (full description)

Delicate Flower Bobby Pin | Price: $5

Sweetly grace your tresses with this lovely flower pin. Elegant silky petals and graceful beading make for a lovely adornment piece.

Proceeds go t... (full description)

Tickled Fancy Heart Bracelets

Tickled Fancy is giving $10 to Love146, an organization which fights to end child sex trafficking and to care for child victims, when people buy one of her heart bracelets shown belwo. Currently ONLY THE HEART BRACELETS contribute to this cause, not other products sold at Tickled Fancy.

benefit love146...silver cuff heart bracelet - marvelous magenta | Price: $15

This adjustable silver tone bracelet features a heart bezel (approx 3/4"w x 5/8" tall) filled with a vibrant magenta tinted resin. It does... (full description)

benefit love146...silver cuff heart bracelet - passion red | Price: $15

This adjustable silver tone bracelet features a heart bezel (approx 3/4"w x 5/8" tall), and is filled with a fiery red resin. It does flex... (full description)

benefit love146...silver cuff heart bracelet - peaceful blue | Price: $15

This adjustable silver tone bracelet features a heart bezel (approx 3/4"w x 5/8" tall), and is filled with a pretty white resin swirled wit... (full description)

benefit love146...silver cuff heart bracelet - serene blue | Price: $15

This adjustable silver tone bracelet features a heart bezel (approx 3/4"w x 5/8" tall), and is filled with a lovely blue resin. It does fl... (full description)

Willow and Raven

A percentage of the purchase price (usually 30%) of each item from Willow and Raven goes to support organizations such as iEmpathize who are fighting to end human trafficking around the world.

ava: a necklace to help end human trafficking | Price: $30

This children's necklace was constructed with fabric, leather, and vintage buttons. It was created in Boulder, CO and may vary slightly from photo... (full description)

eden: earrings to help end human trafficking | Price: $18

These earrings were constructed with fabric, sterling silver posts, and vintage buttons. It was created in Boulder, CO and may vary slightly from phot... (full description)

sarah: a necklace to help end human trafficking | Price: $35

This necklace was constructed with denim, lace, leather, and vintage buttons. It was created in Boulder, CO and may vary slightly from photo due to be... (full description)

Glen Echo Designs

25% off all the beautiful knits and knitting supplies sold at Glen Echo Design go to Gracehaven House, a shelter to aid young victims of sex trafficking.

Laptop Cozy - Teal, Oatmeal, Charcoal and Light Blue Striped - Hand Knit | Price: $35

Going to write your screenplay at the local indie coffee shop? Snuggle up your laptop in this cushy cozy! It is thick knit in order to protect your la... (full description)

Fingerless Mitts - Golden Saffron - Hand Knit | Price: $30

These fingerless mitts are perfect for the transition from season to season! Lightweight yet warm, they are perfect for when you are need a little ext... (full description)

Baby Cardigan - Raspberry Tea Pink - Hand Knit | Price: $25

Short sleeved cotton cardigan with seed stitch detail. Knit in a rosy pink soft cotton yarn, this sweater will make your little girl feel like a princ... (full description)

Self Striping Sock Yarn - Chartreuse, Blue, Emerald and Magenta - Hand Dyed - Ariel | Price: $0

Lovely self-striping sock yarn in chartreuse, hot pink, royal blue, and emerald. There are deeper variations of each color where they blend into the n... (full description)

Baby Booties - Oatmeal and Cream - Hand Knit from Recycled Cotton | Price: $18

These little booties are easy to slip on baby's wiggly feet!
Knit in a soft recycled cotton, they are perfect for sensitive baby skin and will k... (full description)

Chains of Grace

20% of all proceeds from Chains of Grace go to support Love146, an organization which helps spread awareness about human trafficking, and provides help to rescued victims of human trafficking.

She is Free Birdcage and Dove Necklace | Price: $64

This necklace was inspired by Love146, an amazing organization that works toward the abolition of child sex slavery and exploitation. It features a st... (full description)

Key to My Heart Necklace in Sterling Silver | Price: $54

She will always be reminded of your love when she wears the key to your heart next to hers. This sterling silver, heart shaped key is the perfect pend... (full description)

VDaySALE-Peacock Feather Earrings in Sterling Silver | Price: $54

<3 Valentine's Day Special <3 Regularly $68, these gorgeous earrings are on sale for $54 only through VDay! Notice the hearts in the center?... (full description)

Love Necklace | Price: $58

In the immortal words of the Beatles, "All you need is love." Inspired by the Love146 organization, this mixed metal necklace is a simple wo... (full description)

Ivy Necklace | Price: $57

This botanical beauty features a sparkly green onyx briolette which dangles from a 24K gold vermeil style vine.

**All Chains of Grace jewelry bene... (full description)

More Places to Shop to Fight Slavery

The following shops donate all or a portion of their profits to fight various forms of slavery.
Radiant Cosmetics
Radient Cosmetics donates a minimum of 20% (that means sometimes they donate more) per product purchased to fight human trafficking.
A Delicate Fortress
A Delicate Fortress offers gift items supporting various human interest causes including human trafficking, poverty, and illiteracy. You can select which cause to shop under here.
Love146 Project Partners
Various shops, musicians, and artisans supporting Love146 with part of their profits. Love146 is a group which works towards the abolition of child sex slavery and exploitation,

Fair Trade

Sadly, forced labor contributes to many of the products we use and much of the produce that we buy. In recent years slave labor has been used in making clothes, in mining diamonds, mining gold and other minerals (including those used in our electronics), collection of cocoa for chocolate, harvesting tomatoes (right here in America), and many, many other areas of farming and manufacturing. While most corporations do not set out to use slave labor, poor monitoring of a company's supply chain can allow forced labor to continue unnoticed.

Companies and organizations which sell Fair Trade products try to make sure that workers all the way down their supply line are paid a living wage. While a company does not have to be Fair Trade for their product to be Slave Free, the process of assuring that all employees are paid a living wage ferrets out and eliminates instances of slavery.

Below are websites where you can find listings of companies that sell Fair Trade products.
Fair Trade Shops-Coffee, Chocolate, Clothing, Gifts and More!
The Online Fair Trade Shops site lists fair trade organizations that sell products online including chocolate, coffee, clothing, gifts and much more. Many products are also sustainable.
Fairtrade International (FLO)
Fairtrade International (FLO) works to secure a better deal for farmers and workers. FLO sets global Fairtrade Standards and licenses the FAIRTRADE Mark.
Fair Trade Federation
The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is the trade association that strengthens and promotes North American organizations fully committed to fair trade. It includes a searchable database of Fair Trade organizations.
Fair Trade USA | Every Purchase Matters
Fair Trade USA. This organization is the leading certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States.
Fair Trade Directory Australia
Find Fair Trade shops and businesses in the Fair Trade Directory. Australian FairTrade suppliers can list in the directory for free. Find Sweatshop free and Fair trade coffee, clothing, jewellery and more .

Get the Fair Trade Ap

Fair Trade ApThe Fair Trade ap is a free resource to help you find Fair Trade products near you. You can search by key word or by category (category usually brings up better results). You can try it out on Facebook, or load it on your iPhone or Android.

You can learn more about this ap here.

Fair Trade Products on Amazon

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10 Facts About Modern Slavery

  1. There are more slaves today than in any other time in modern history--around 27 million.
  2. Slavery is illegal everywhere, but nevertheless is extremely widespread. Slavery exists even in developed nations, like the United States.
  3. The average cost of a slave around the world is $90.
  4. The slave trade today is commonly called "human trafficking." Human trafficking includes trafficking for forced labor and forced prostitution.
  5. Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world, second in size only to drug dealing, with the illegal arms trade running alongside.
  6. Around 80% of human trafficking victims are women and girls.
  7. Around 50% of human trafficking victims are under 18.
  8. Worldwide, there are nearly two million children in the commercial sex trade.
  9. After being forced into prostitution, the average life expectancy for a child prostitute is 7 years.
  10. Each year thousand of victims are trafficked into the US.

How to Combat Modern Slavery

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Shop To Stop Slavery ORG

Shop to Stop SlaveryA the Shop to Fight Slavery websie you can find a directory of slave free products and more information on how you can shop to stop slavery!

(This lens is not affiliated with ShopToStopSlavery.com ...we just think along the same lines.)

Credits and References

The "Stop Modern Slavery" bag image at the top is a customized bag from Zazzle.com. Though the exact design is not currently for sale there, anyone can recreate that text (or any other message) to a Zazzle bag of their choice using Zazzle customization.

The information for 10 Facts About Slavery was found at the following sites...
(the numbers refer to the number in the top ten list.)

1. AlterNet 2. BBC Ethics Guide: Modern Slavery 3.  DoSomething.org 4. Wikipedia  5 - 8. International Justice Mission's Sex Trafficking Fact Sheet 9. Traffic 911 10. Free The Slaves.

Feedback Welcomed

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  • Reply
    RenaissanceWoman2010 Dec 9, 2011 @ 2:24 pm | delete
    I truly appreciate this focus on such a tragic practice. It makes me think of a book (true story) I just read in which the slavery of sharecropping is part of the damage done to a man of our generation (Same Kind of Different As Me). Human trafficking, especially of children (forced sex workers), is such a sick practice. I don't understand why we allow it to continue.
  • Reply
    Koupie Dec 9, 2011 @ 1:47 pm | delete
    Wonderful lens for a great cause. I have shopped at the Animal Rescue site before and it funds bowls of food for animals etc, but didn't know there was one for the fight against slavery, thank you for the info, and I am going to get the Fair Trade app for sure :) Angel Blessed*
  • Reply
    marsha32 Dec 2, 2011 @ 10:18 am | delete
    There is a lot of information here that I didn't know!
  • Reply
    sherioz Dec 1, 2011 @ 12:19 am | delete
    What an important topic!! And well covered here.
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I'm an artist and webmaster and mother of three. I make lenses on Squidoo to earn donations for charities which support causes I care about.

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