As much as we would like it to be, with 17,500 victims of human trafficking occurring in the United States alone every year, slavery is certainly not a thing of past. More than in any time in history, globally, woman, men and children are being forced to physical, emotional and mental exploitation with numbers rising above a staggering 30 million.
The quest to fight for the voiceless began in 2007 for David Batstone, co-founder and president as well as Professor of Business at University of San Francisco, when he discovered that his favorite eatery in the Bay area was also being used as human trafficking ring. With annual estimations of up to 60,000, Not for Sale’s mission is to decrease these numbers and to be a part of the cause that abolishes slavery.
With Peru, India, Thailand, the Netherlands and South Africa being just some of the many hubs operating their social projects, Not for Sale’s global campaign is not just about awareness, it’s about setting out to ‘provide restoration, challenge institutional thinking, and create new futures for survivors.’
All Saints ‘Freedom’ vest, $60From grassroots level to working with businesses and government, Not for Sale also deals with sex trafficking of women and children and gets to the root of the mostly impoverished communities whose families are torn apart by preys. Many of the women who are involved in sex trafficking besides being physically abused are psychologically held under the thumb of shame, making it difficult for any of them to escape without assistance. As for children who are involved in trafficking, many of their pray keep them under the radar by putting them under the umbrella of prostitution.
Not for Sale most recent success stories include Thailand’s Director Kru Nam, who represented her home in the national forum for Human Rights in the debate on over the civil liberties of the stateless child living on the Thai-Myanmar border. And in Romania, the rate of men being rescued from slavery has doubled from 2011. On December 16th 2012, after a woman was raped in beaten on a New Delhi India, there was outrage all over the world causing national and international protest. Not for Sale works in New Deli to aid in the reduction of the exploitation and abuse of women through the empowerment and aid in reintegration back into society for all those who are affected.
In order to support the Not for Sale campaign many global brands have worked in partnership in attempt to not only support their cause, but to raise awareness and funds. Designers like 31 Bits, whose exclusive fashion accessories are available online, aim to empower impoverished women. Described by the U2 singer Bono as a ‘heroic character’, award-winning journalist David Batstone offers a groundbreaking global report video on the $32 billion annual human trafficking industry and the movement that is working to end this detestable epidemic, which can also be purchased on the website.
By purchasing products from the Not for Sale store – like their limited edition leather jackets, books, Indian scarves and more – we are aiding in job creation and the funding of projects that will all go towards the abolishment of human trafficking.
David Batstones foundation is determined with great passion to be a part of the solution. ‘The Not for Sale Campaign combines technology, intellectual capital, abolitionist groups and a growing network of individuals like yourself – joined together to end slavery in our lifetime.’
Let’s join them at notforsalecampaign.org and nfsglobalforum.org
