Day 68: Price of Life

In Omaha, Nebraska a series of speakers will focus attention on Human Trafficking for a week with trainings, concerts, and other events. The events are part of Price of Life, a national social justice campaign. The goal of this event is to build awareness and collaboration. The events will start Tuesday and go through Saturday. If you live in the Omaha area, please take advantage of the free admission and learn about human trafficking. 

 

Day 67: Kenya is Stepping Up

On Friday, August 29, 2014, The Guardian reported that Kenya has passed a law to provide better support for victims of human trafficking. The victim protection bill was approved by the country's parliament and will improve the services provided to victims.  Kenya has remained as a Tier 2 country on the U.S. TIP Report, but with continued laws, such as the one just passed, Kenya will hopefully increase rankings. 

This is a step in the right direction. Here is to hoping more countries will follow suit. 

Day 66: Somaly Mam; Embellished Backstories

Some of you may be familiar with Somaly Mam, and some of you may not. Somaly Mam is a Cambodian human rights activist and author. She became an overnight sensation, winning the hearts of columnist, actors, actresses, high ranking governmental officials, and was named one of Times Most Influential People in the World for her personal trafficking story, and work in combating human trafficking.

In May 2014, Newsweek published Somaly Mam: The Holy Saint (and Sinner) of Sex Trafficking contradicting Mam's personal story, suggesting she faked her back story about being trafficked. Other allegations are surfacing, she has resigned from organizations, and many people have stopped backing her. She has done some amazing things for trafficking victims, that can't be denied. I tell you about Somaly Mam and her organization, because I want you to be aware and want you to inquire about an organization before you fund it or tell people about it. Look into their financials, their board members, the work they are doing.

Always be inquisitive, and try to volunteer and get to know the people in the anti-trafficking organization you are funding or wanting to promote. As mentioned, as the media attention continues to grow, more and more people are going to come out asking for funding and they may not be telling the truth or be doing it for the right reasons. 

 

Day 65: Current Conversations

In honor of it being my favorite month of the year, I would like to focus on a few articles that have caught my attention in the media this week. The first story comes from the Bowling Green Daily News (South Central Kentucky).

The article, Sold for Sex at 5 Years Old is about 35 year-old, Margeaux Gray, her life as a victim of trafficking and what she and the State of Kentucky are currently doing to stop trafficking.  

The story reports that Ms. Gray was first trafficked at the age of 5 by a trusted individual and did not leave the life until she was 18. She never brought charges against her trafficker, as she states she "was extremely fearful." She is now speaking out and educating the public about human trafficking. 

I'm happy to hear Ms. Gray is doing well and has turned her bad situation into a positive one. While I believe the reporter did her due diligence before reporting this article, I would like to say that not every story you read in the news about a trafficking survivor may be true. Always be cautious of what you read and question your source and the individual telling the story. As human trafficking gains more media attention, there will be people that try to take advantage of the situation.

Happy Monday!