For a couple of years now, I've volunteered my time photographing projects for Breaking Free. Breaking Free's mission is to educate and provide services to women and girls who have been victims of commercial sexual exploitation (prostitution/sex-trafficking) and need assistance escaping the violence in their lives.
In cooperation with MATTOO (Men against the trafficking of others - and the only of it's kind in the world), Breaking Free produced the "Demand Change Project and Victory concert" that occurred this past weekend. It began Friday with an abolitionists seminar, with some of the most prominent researchers and policy makers of human trafficking in the nation speaking. This was followed by a VIP Party that focused on awareness on the global epidemic of sex trafficking and its countless victims, as well as several organizations from around the world doing their part to end it.
The following morning, history was made at the state capitol in Saint Paul. More than 100 men gathered in the rain and 40 degree temperatures on the capitol steps to listen to local law enforcement, politicians, and victims of sex trafficking who were brave enough to publically share their stories. Following this, for the first time in HISTORY, these men walked behind the founder and CEO of MATTOO to show our community, the nation, and the world that there are men out there who support the abolishment of sex trafficking.
At the end of their march to the Fitzgerald Theater, where the concert would take place later that evening, they were greeted by several hundred women who showed their appreciation with applause and cheers. It was quite moving.
In front of the theater, scores of the men who had marched pledged their support by signing a global banner. This banner will be taken to 5 more marches in the U.S., and 5 additional marches throughout Europe. When the men signed the banner, it wasn't just a simple token. They also registered to be followed via local law enforcement records to see if they are continuing to stand by their pledge.
A few hours following the March, guests poured into the Fitzgerald to hear highly acclaimed and GRAMMY nominated Gospel artist Nicole Mullen.
If you think sex trafficking is something that happens somewhere else, please think again. MN ranks in the top 10 places in the U.S. for the highest amount of activity; in both local and global victims. Based in St. Paul, Breaking Free is one of a tiny handful of organizations helping victims, and one of only THREE that provide transition and permanent housing in the U.S. They could really use your help with time or money.
Have you ever talked with Heather Callier on this subject?~ja
Posted by: John Anderson | May 19, 2011 at 05:14 AM