Several years ago Walnut Hill's resident, Emily Hill, took a college trip to Thailand where she witnessed first-hand what self-sufficiency and steady work could do for women and children at risk for becoming prostituted as part of the global slave trade.
Many of these destitute women and girls, some as young as 8, could have become prostitutes but for the help of a local organization that taught their mothers how to make purses, jewelry and other items, allowing them to make money and care for their families.
"I looked at these happy and vibrant girls and realized how the situation could have been otherwise, and I knew I had to do something about this too," said Hill, who works in marketing and had previously operated a small apparel company.
The result was
stoptraffickfashion.com, an online boutique that Hill runs from her home. She buys women's accessories from several overseas organizations that exist to help women escape or stay out of the sex trade, then resells them. According to statistics, more than 27 million men, women and children are held as slaves in hard labor work, the sex industry, or as soldiers.
The boutique is for-profit, but a portion of any profit goes back to these organizations. In addition, the web site works to educate shoppers about the cause their purchase supports
"Most are made by women who want a sustainable income for themselves and their families, so they can feel confident and become part of society. It prevents them from being lured into trafficking," Hill said.
The bags and jewelry range in price from $20 to $80, and Hill looks for styles that will appeal to mainstream buyers.
"I want to use this to reach women who may not know about the slave trade, (as well as) reach socially conscious women," she said.
In addition to the online boutique, which launched over the summer, Hill also sells the accessories at local events and hosts private home parties. Find out more
here.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Emily Hill Founder & Managing Director, stoptraffickfashion.com
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