More Than A Magazine, A Movement
Today, the U.S. House passed the Senate version of the American Rescue Plan Act, which will provide economic relief to millions of Americans suffering from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The passage of the American Rescue Plan today is a victory for women,” said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation, publisher of Ms.
The Super Bowl will draw attention to human trafficking for one day. But reducing human trafficking needs to be an ongoing endeavor by businesses, organizations and the public.
Conversations around sex trafficking experienced a resurgence following the investigation and indictment of billionaire Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. However, the renewed spotlight on sex trafficking also helped popularize a plethora of unsupported conspiracy theories—leaving survivors in the shadows as powerful people continue to contort the narrative.
Human trafficking can fuel conflict, drive displacement, and undercut the ability of international institutions to promote stability. The United States should work to disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks and terrorist groups that exploit conflict-related human trafficking, while prioritizing the prevention and prosecution of and protection from human trafficking in conflict contexts.
In over 30 states, a young person under age 18 cannot be arrested for prostitution—replacing a punitive juvenile justice response with one informed by prevention, supportive victim services and child welfare. Many youth benefit from assistance that addresses their trauma by building upon their strengths and resiliency. But then they turn 18.
Asservo, derived from the Latin verb meaning “watch over or guard,” is an apt name for the project, which seeks to combat human trafficking and sexual predators, support the recovery of victims and aid in the imprisonment of perpetrators.
“What matters is not when a powerful official helped a powerful predator. What matters is THAT a powerful official helped a powerful predator. That official deserves to be demoted for his hurtful choices.”
We often think poverty is what makes girls vulnerable to sex trafficking, but new research suggests another set of related factors may play a significant role: family dysfunction, domestic violence and abuse.
In order to end human trafficking, we have to confront the myths and misconceptions that surround it. Let’s start here, with these seven facts about human trafficking—and what you can do about it.
Despite broad-based, bi-partisan support for laws against child sex trafficking, the politics behind them are complicated.
