National and International Public Awareness Campaigns Against Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation

Transcription

1 National and International Public Awareness s Against Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Asia Piekarz Emily Cowan Brittany Finkeldey Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation 2010 Introduction Sexual exploitation and human trafficking have become a global phenomenon, with the UN estimating that selling humans is the third most profitable criminal activity

2 in the world, surpassed by only narcotics and arms trafficking. 1 One reason that human trafficking continues to proliferate and generate millions of dollars for pimps and traffickers is that most people don t realize that this type of human-rights violation exists in the 21 st century. Combating human trafficking and sexual exploitation requires activist efforts on many fronts, but the key to success is increasing the public s understanding about the scope of the problem and the harm it inflicts. As history has shown, every great social-justice movement advanced when either significant people or a significant number of people recognized a need for change and acted on it. Raising awareness about the trauma experienced by prostituted individuals has never been more crucial. The UN estimates that 2.5 million people are victims of trafficking every year. 2 Criminals are making millions of dollars, while prostituted individuals suffer rape and other physical and mental abuse. To raise awareness about human trafficking and sexual exploitation, communities and organizations worldwide have launched effective campaigns that blend personal responsibility with social accountability. Though there are people who like to say that prostitution is the oldest profession, we believe prostitution and human trafficking are the oldest social injustices to plague our society. An awareness campaign is a tool that can be used by any organization or group to increase the knowledge of an intended audience about a certain issue. This report highlights various strategies and campaigns implemented by cities and nations around the world to raise awareness about sexual exploitation. It also identifies key elements for an effective campaign. Key Elements for an Effective While many avenues should be considered and pursued for a highly effective awareness campaign, two popular tools are poster and film campaigns. Print advertising plays a significant role in influencing society. All around us we see billboards, bus advertisements, and commercials using sexually exploitative images to sell products. There is no reason why we cannot use these very media to make those same consumers aware of the harms of sexual exploitation. While printed materials are highly visible, the rise in popularity and accessibility of viral videos creates another means of raising awareness. Everyone with access to the Internet has probably seen a video on YouTube, MySpace, or other websites. While the cost of running a commercial on TV is astronomical and unrealistic for most small nonprofits, the same end can be achieved at a fraction of the cost on the Internet. And the audience that can be reached is exponentially greater as people all over the world can access the video and forward it to friends, families, and colleagues. 1 US Department of State. Trafficking in Persons Report. Washington, DC, 2004 ( See also 2 UN Office on Crime and Drugs, cited in UN Human Trafficking Rapporteur s Report, (See also

3 Whether an awareness campaign utilizes print, video, or both, there are three main components for an effective campaign: 1. A Broad Support System Establishing a broad support system of individuals and interested groups (scholars, legislators, religious institutions, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement, corporations, media, professionals, students, and the general public) helps garner and mobilize community support for a campaign. The more individuals working on an awareness campaign, the greater the likelihood of the campaign s success. 2. Diverse Activities A campaign s message should be relayed to the public through a variety of means in an effort to reach more people who will connect to the campaign s purpose. Examples include educational events; poster, postcard, and other media campaigns; protests and awareness events; petitions, lobbying, and fundraising; educational speeches; informational flyers; concerts and street dramas; research studies; personal testimonials; and other advocacy efforts. 3. An Accurate and Concise Message The message of a campaign must be short and powerful to mobilize people to action. Testing messages through focus groups and other research tools enables activists to refine a campaign s message and increase its effectiveness. s Against Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Current campaigns addressing human trafficking and sexual exploitation challenge the myths and realities surrounding prostitution, urge people to question their attitudes toward buying sexual acts, seek to undermine the demand for paid sex, emphasize the importance of word choice in acknowledging women and children as victims, and strive to remove the stigma and blame from the prostituted women and children and place it firmly on pimps, johns, and traffickers where it belongs. This report includes examples of campaigns around the world that are raising awareness about human trafficking and sexual exploitation. To the extent possible, the campaigns are categorized by the subject matter they address as follows: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children/Women (CSEC/W) Prostitution Human Trafficking and Sex Trafficking Sexual Tourism Our hope is that this report can serve as a resource guide for activists creating their own campaigns to end sexual exploitation and harm. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children/Women Examples

4 Barnardo s Sexually Exploited Children Outreach Services (SECOS) Abuse through prostitution STEALS CHILDREN S LIVES. This campaign uses shock tactics by displaying images of sexually abused children with aged faces in an effort to raise awareness about prostituted children living on the streets and to push the government to reform child prostitution laws. Poster Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children United Kingdom rdos_child_prostitution Beyond Borders The Beyond Borders Man to Man strives to raise awareness about children exploited through prostitution. It highlights the average age of entry into prostitution in Canada, which is 14, and describes the lifelong challenges faced by these victims. The campaign also asks Canadian men to speak out about ending the exploitation of children. Various Media Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Human Trafficking Canada Organizati0n Child Find Manitoba Stop Sex with Kids. On November 13, 2008, the Manitoba community came together to launch a campaign that sends

5 the message that child sexual abuse is never acceptable. Almost 500 volunteers from the community, government offices, and law enforcement went into the streets to shed light on this hidden problem. The campaign urges Manitobans to take action against the sexual exploitation of children and, to convey its message, uses billboards, bus and transit-shelter signage, posters, stickers, radio and television Public Service Announcements, and a bilingual website with information, hotline numbers, and a variety of other resources. Various Media Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Manitoba, Canada Garden of Hope Foundation (GOH) Anti-Child-Prostitution GOH was established in 1988 to help disadvantaged girls and women. In its work to end sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and domestic violence, it offers counseling; shelters; education; and prevention, research, and advocacy services. GOH has addressed one of society s most taboo issues by engaging a

6 diverse base of supporters and holding various awareness-raising activities. In one particular event, volunteers took part in a street drama to protest the abuse of girls' rights and the way children are treated as disposable objects that can be carted off and thrown away. Other events included a jog through one of the main red-light districts in Taipei. Various Media Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Taiwan l/04november/case cfm GEMS Girls Educational & Mentoring Services

7 Girls Are Not For Sale. This is a widespread campaign utilizing Facebook, YouTube, and a documentary film to inspire one million Americans to take easy, effective actions to nurture and empower American girls who have been trafficked into the sex industry and to protect every girl from the dangers of commercial sexual exploitation. Web-based Media Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Prostitution New York, New York, US PSA: 9YTPTHA GEMS movie, Very Young Girls: Juvenile Justice Fund The Dear John This campaign to end the commercial sexual

8 exploitation of children was started by Shirley Franklin, then mayor of Atlanta, Georgia; the Juvenile Justice Fund; and a wide range of supporters, including law enforcement, judicial services, humanservices providers, and community leaders. The campaign seeks to educate and activate audiences to help fight the problem of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. Atlanta s approach is all-encompassing, from producing Public Service Announcements on a large scale to placing posters strategically around the city to raise awareness about this issue. Various Media Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Atlanta, Georgia, US n_ aspx n.htm Love 146

9 The Call to Action Was launched in reaction to Craigslist s facilitation of the sexual exploitation of women and children and, by raising awareness through the press, Internet, and petitions, urges people to boycott the site. Love146 's videos and audios are available on YouTube. Web-based Media Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children United States of America hp?page_id=15&story= UKFEgMc National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) The City of Los Angeles Child Abuse and Internet Safety Awareness PSA is designed to raise awareness, prevent child sexual exploitation, and promote Internet safety. It distributed poster-sized flyers to various community organizations, libraries, community centers, and schools. Poster Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Los Angeles, California, US /servlet/pageservlet?languagecountry=e n_us&pageid=4120 National Center for Missing & Exploited

10 Children (NCMEC) We re here because they re out there. This campaign seeks to raise awareness about the forced prostitution of runaway children. Poster Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Alexandria, Virginia, US uments/ad_13yrs_8.5x11.pdf /servlet/pageservlet?languagecountry=e n_us&pageid=1501 OBJECT The Stripping the Illusion challenged the lax laws involving lap dances in an effort to fight the normalization of sexual exploitation. To expose the harms inherent in the industry, the campaign produced a DVD telling the stories of women who have worked in lap-dancing clubs. Web-based Media Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Women United Kingdom t-us/about-us on=com_content&view=article&id=1&ite mid=11 OCHA/IRIN (The UN s Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs and

11 Integrated Regional Information Networks, OCHA s independent editorial arm in sub-saharan Africa, the Middle East, and part of Asia) The Broken Bodies Broken Dreams, through the use of film, print, and photography, offers powerful testimony about the different types of gender-based violence experienced by women and girls worldwide. Various Media Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Africa, Asia, the Middle East SOS Morocco SOS Morocco is an independent socialdevelopment organization whose mission is to engage other international humanitarian organizations and artists to raise awareness about child sexual exploitation. To achieve this goal, the organization utilizes posters and videos to spread its message and sponsors various events such as peaceful marches and music concerts. Various Media Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Morocco The Defender USA

12 The Truck Stop was implemented to combat the sexual exploitation of minors that occurs at or around truck stops in the United States. Individuals rally outside truck stops and distribute t-shirts, banners, and picket signs to stop truckers from sexually exploiting children. The goal of the campaign is to spread awareness and encourage truck drivers to join the Defender USA cause. Various Media Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Human and Sex Trafficking United States of America Sso Anti-child-porn PSA, She Has a Name : UAAk 01.html (article) Toronto Sexual Exploitation Education and Awareness Coalition

13 The Save the Children uses posters to raise awareness and provides outreach to victims of child prostitution. The slogan, "No 13-Year-Old Dreams of Getting into Prostitution, Many Dream of Getting Out," is intended to educate the public that child prostitution is a form of child abuse and to encourage children and youth involved in or affected by commercial sexual exploitation to reach out for assistance. Approximately 5,000 posters were displayed throughout the downtown Toronto area in late September Poster Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Canada l T-Connections_Nov2006.pdf Prostitution Angel Coalition in Moscow

14 100-Day Anti-Trafficking In 2001, this campaign launched in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhni Novgorod, Yaroslavl, Petrozavodsk, and Veliki Novgorod where it distributed literature, hung bus posters, and sponsored TV and radio spots about human trafficking. The 100-day campaign was the first and largest multiregional, multimedia public-education antitrafficking campaign in Russia. Poster Prostitution and Human Trafficking Russia InformationENG.pdf Day Anti-Trafficking Coalition Against Trafficking in Women The Way Out With You is a campaign that raised public awareness about prostitution and trafficking by placing 1,400 copies of several creative posters in men s restrooms and other public spaces. The campaign also included a wall of graffiti with 12 messages aimed at preventing men from patronizing the sex trade, such as Buying Sex is not a Sport. Poster Prostitution and Sex Trafficking Hungary ATW%2006%20Newsletter.pdf Eaves and OBJECT

15 The Demand Change! is a joint effort by Eaves and OBJECT that challenges people s attitude toward buying sexual acts, addresses the myths and realities surrounding prostitution, and identifies prostitution as a form of violence against women. Various Media Prostitution United Kingdom Quanto Project The Quanto Project was born from a meeting of people active in graphics, journalism, and various cultural organizations who asked themselves the question: What is the meaning of the word prostitution? Visual images were chosen to represent a universal language that fully frames the phenomenon of sex for sale. The project was an international competition and thus provided a rare opportunity to define prostitution in and compare ideas from a variety of cultures and countries. Poster Prostitution International ers. Ruhama Ruhama Television Ruhama is a Dublin-based NGO that supports women affected by prostitution. This organization has launched various campaigns and collaborated with the

16 Stripping the Illusion campaign, MTV EXIT, and Stop the Traffik. Ruhama has launched a new television series and short film about the issues surrounding human trafficking in Ireland. Video Media Prostitution and Human Trafficking Dublin, Ireland TV campaign: D=217 Short film: D=216 The New Recruit short film Salvation Army and Stop the Traffik World Cup Anti-Prostitution /Red Card for Forced Prostitution Initiative Against Sexual Trafficking (IAST) This was a collaborative initiative of the Salvation Army and Stop the Traffik during the 2006 World Cup in Germany to combat the human trafficking that surrounds the World Cup event. Various Media Prostitution and Human Trafficking United Kingdom nsf/vw-dynamicindex/8081a d55a802573e ?Opendocument uki.nsf The United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC)

17 The Blue Blindfold spreads awareness about human trafficking to law enforcement, schools, communities, and other cities through films, publications, and the media. Various Media Prostitution and Sex Trafficking International Human Trafficking and Sex Trafficking Call + Response Call+Response raises awareness through music and film about the crisis of modern-day slavery. Several PSAs, along with a trailer for the documentary Call+Response, can be viewed on the Call+Response website. Four of

18 their PSAs on different forms of human trafficking can also be viewed on YouTube. Web-based Media Human Trafficking United States of America 32 Billion v7pm Cold War Kids C9xI A Definition 3Wc Illegal Everywhere FIZ Women s Information Centre for Women from Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe; Amnesty International (AI), Swiss Section; Gender Equality Office of the City of Zurich; and cfd/feminist for

19 Peace Euro 08 /World Cup Anti- Prostitution /Red Card for Forced Prostitution was implemented by a coalition of 25 organizations prior to and during the World Cup soccer games to raise awareness about human trafficking. Web-based Media Sex Trafficking Europe Free the Slaves The Free the Slaves Free the Slaves is an organization based in DC and LA that is committed to raising awareness about and ultimately ending human trafficking, both in the US and abroad. Their website includes information on modern-day slavery, including suggested books, links to slave-free clothing and goods, action steps, interactive slavery maps, success stories, ideas for artists and faith communities, and other resources. Slavery 101, one of the films produced by Free the Slaves, is a 12-minute introduction to the world of modern-day slavery. Web-based Media Human Trafficking Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, California, US 83 Introductory video, Slavery 101: All other videos: International for Migration (IOM)

20 Buy Responsibly. This campaign urges consumers to think about the things they buy and how the products they purchase may drive human trafficking. Web-based Media Human Trafficking Europe a_s0o&feature=player_embedded International for Migration (IOM) You are Being Sold Like a Doll. This campaign aims to stop the trafficking of women from the Baltic states and uses powerful imagery to illustrate situations and feelings associated with a trafficked girl being manipulated, coerced, helpless, and in pain. Poster Human Trafficking Western Europe (Estonia) MTV EXIT End Exploitation and Trafficking MTV EXIT raises awareness about and fights

21 to prevent human trafficking in Europe and Asia. Since the campaign launched in 2004, MTV EXIT has created various programs and activities, such as music videos, documentaries, and advertisements through Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and other social networking forums, which inform and empower millions of young people to take action within their communities. Web-based Media Human Trafficking and Sex Trafficking New York, New York, US Not For Sale The Not for Sale is designed to educate and mobilize activists to utilize creative solutions in ending slavery both in their own backyards and around the world. The goal of this campaign is to empower individuals, whoever and wherever they are, to make a difference in their sphere of influence. They utilize videos on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter as part of strategic awareness-raising. Web-based Media Human Trafficking California, US paign The Truth Isn t Sexy The Truth Isn t Sexy. This three-year campaign raised public awareness about sex trafficking and encouraged the UK government to address the demand that fuels it. The campaign distributed 200,000 beer mats and 10,000 posters in pubs, clubs, and student bars throughout the United Kingdom.

22 Poster Sex Trafficking United Kingdom UNODC, as guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime The Blue Heart This campaign against human trafficking was launched to raise awareness and encourage decision-makers to enact significant change. The campaign distributes brochures, fact sheets, and testimonials, and provides information through the media and websites. Various Media Human Trafficking Vienna, Austria n-tools.html US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Rescue & Restore, an initiative of HHS The Look Beneath the Surface Launched in 2004, this campaign facilitates the identification of trafficking victims and helps them receive the benefits

23 and services they need to live safely in the US. The first phase of the campaign focuses on outreach to people who most likely encounter victims on a daily basis but who may not recognize them as victims of human trafficking, such as health-care providers, social-service organizations, and the lawenforcement community. The campaign website offers information on trafficking, including toolkits, fact sheets, posters, and a national hotline number. Poster Human Trafficking United States of America l US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) The Hidden in Plain Sight is a public service campaign that strives to increase awareness about human trafficking. The campaign displays posters, billboards, and transit-shelter signs in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Newark, New Orleans, New York, St. Paul, San Antonio, San Francisco, and Tampa. Poster Human Trafficking United States of America gtondc.htm N0U Sex Tourism Sri Lanka Tourist Board and UNICEF

24 The Zero Tolerance for Child Sex Tourism In July 2006, this campaign broadcast its zero tolerance message in advertisements and on television, radio, and banners in the hopes of ending child sex tourism. This campaign targeted tourists, children and teenagers, hotelkeepers, journalists, families, and community leaders. Various Media Sex Tourism Sri Lanka ka_34933.html United Nations World Tourism (UNWTO) The Protect Children This awareness campaign from the UNWTO and the International Task Force to Protect Children in Tourism enjoys broad support from national governments, tourism boards, and other UN agencies, and partners with various organizations in both the public and private sectors. The campaign uses educational posters, videos, stickers, and information cards to raise the profile of exploited children. The UNWTO strongly believes that the tourism industry has a moral obligation and a special responsibility to combat child labor, sexual exploitation, and the trafficking of children. Poster Sex Tourism International paign/en/campaign.php?op=1&subop=1 0 References and Additional Readings Astra Anti-Trafficking Action. Open Your Eyes. (accessed November 10, 2009).

25 Barnardo s Sexually Exploited Children Outreach Services. Abuse through prostitution STEALS CHILDREN S LIVES. (accessed November 10, 2009). Beyond Borders. Stop the Demand. (accessed October 27, 2009). Child Find Manitoba. Stop Sex with Kids. (accessed November 10, 2009). Coalition Against Trafficking in Women. s, Programs, and Projects. (accessed November 10, 2009). Coalition Against Trafficking in Women and the European Women s Lobby. Country Projects. ects/%20projects%20dec05.pdf (accessed October 27, 2009). Coalition Against Trafficking in Women. Hungary s The Way Out With You. (accessed November 5, 2009). Coalition Against Trafficking in Women. Russia s Volga. (accessed November 5, 2009). Eaves and OBJECT. Demand Change! Prostitution is Exploitation Stop the Demand. (accessed October 29, 2009). Euro 08 Against Trafficking in Women. (accessed November 10, 2009). US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE Gives Voice to Victims of Human Trafficking in the United States. (accessed November 10, 2009). Los Angeles City Attorney. Internet Safety Awareness. (accessed November 5, 2009). Los Angeles County Unity Coalition. (accessed November 10, 2009). MTV EXIT End Exploitation and Trafficking. (accessed October 27, 2009). OBJECT. Stripping the Illusion. (accessed November 10, 2009).

26 Shared Hope International The Defenders USA. (accessed November 10, 2009). UNICEF. I Have the Right : UNICEF Russia Launches Child Rights. (accessed November 5, 2009). World Vision. The Child Sex Tourism Prevention Project Combating Slavery in the 21st Century. (accessed January 28, 2010). Young Women s Action Team. Girls for Safe Transit A Young Women s Action Team (YWAT). (accessed July 2009)