Readers of Invisible Chains are already starting to help combat human trafficking because a portion of the proceeds from the book have been donated by the author to initiatives to end human trafficking.
Here are some of the ways a positive difference is being made (from Benjamin Perrin):
A Safe-House for Trafficked Women
Throughout Western Canada, when I interviewed police officers and government officials about where they refer victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, they mentioned one particular non-governmental organization again and again. When I found out that funding for this leading NGO dried up in 2009, I was very worried that there would no longer be a safe place for rescued and escaping victims to get help.
The organization is now operating again thanks, in small part, to a donation from some of the proceeds of Invisible Chains. The donation will pay for all of the living expenses and accommodations for one month for 8-12 victims who are living together in a safe-house, far away from their exploiters. The organization estimates that this donation alone will prevent them from being victimized hundreds of times.
A Young Aboriginal Survivor’s Dream to Play Basketball
A 13-year-old Aboriginal girl who was being sexually abused on the streets of Winnipeg is now safe and living at the Honouring the Spirit of Our Little Sisters Safe-house, run by the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre.
However, the young girl’s dream of playing basketball in an intramural league with other teenage girls seemed like a distant reality because neither she nor the Centre had money to buy basic equipment like running shoes. Positive activities like this could help her in her recovery and to build her self-esteem, while making friends with kids her age instead of being exploited by purchasers of sex acts and traffickers. Proceeds from Invisible Chains helped her get the basketball gear she needed.
Home, Sweet, Home – Teenage Survivors Get a Fresh Start
Moving out into your first apartment is an event most young Canadians find exciting and a little frightening. For two Aboriginal teenage-girls who are survivors of commercial sexual exploitation in Manitoba, turning eighteen was terrifying. They did not have a choice in when they would move out of a provincially-funded residence – turning eighteen meant they were “aging out” of the child protection system.
While these young women were being supported by some excellent social workers to help them find apartments and jobs, there was no funding available for many of the basic things they would need in their first home of their own. Everything from pots and pans to towels, cleaning supplies to dishes, linens and other things were needed. Proceeds from Invisible Chains helped both of these young women get started by paying for these start-up items for their first homes of their own.
These and many other worthy organizations need your help. Find links to organizations that you can support to help combat human trafficking.
