Update: Survivor Tiffany's Simpson's Habeas Hearing
Last Spring, Dressember partnered with Karana Rising to launch the Survivor Justice Initiative and advocate for the freedom of Tiffany Simpson, a survivor of human trafficking who is currently wrongfully incarcerated. We have shared her story and advocated for the reform that is needed in the US criminal justice system to protect the rights of victims and survivors of human trafficking. We’re so inspired by the way the Dressember community has advocated for Tiffany and other wrongfully incarcerated survivors, and we’re sharing this update to invite you to show up loudly for Tiffany again.
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What We Know About Trafficking Overseas and At Home, and What We Can Do About It
Why allocate resources to fight inequalities and injustice overseas, they ask, when it’s right here at home? One common and well meaning, but deeply problematic, answer to this question is that when we allow issues abroad to escalate and multiply, we’re allowing them to spread to our own country’s borders.
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Nonprofits and Trafficking: Why Your Impact Matters
The truth is that human trafficking is illegal in every country. In 2003 Washington was the first to criminalize human trafficking. Soon after other states followed, implementing fines and charging felonies against businesses. Though there is work to be done to provide more protective policies for survivors of trafficking, there are some laws and protective measures in place. However, what role do nonprofits play in the fight against trafficking and why are they important?
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Sarah and Caroline: Stories of Independence from Olive Crest
In many cases, youth have limited resources when aging out of foster care, often no secure housing placement or substantial support. Olive Crest, a member of the Dressember Network, has established a program called Operation Independence through the founders of Dr. Donald and Mrs. Lois Verluer. Sarah and Caroline are two young women that have been a part of this program.
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Foster Care and Trafficking: What Does it Mean to Age Out of Foster Care?
Aging out of foster care essentially means that foster youth become of age, typically around 18 years old and some cases 21, to live independent lives. The foster care system serves as a protective institution for families who are unable to care for children. In Human Trafficking Search’s study, the organization evaluates the overall effectiveness of foster care institutions and regulations by state.
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Action Steps: How you can stand with incarcerated trafficking survivors
Justice systems often fail to uphold laws implemented to protect human trafficking survivors. In fact, survivors are often incarcerated and their experiences are overlooked in courthouses. Punitive institutions implement a prison model that exposes human trafficking survivors to false accusations by their abuser. Intrusion, solitary confinement and inmate-officer power dynamics fail to be trauma-informed and this negatively impacts survivors of trafficking.
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So You Want to Talk About Sentencing Reform
In most states, prosecution of human trafficking survivors fails to take into account the force, fraud or coercion that caused a survivor to commit a crime in the first place.
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Criminal Record Relief is Pertinent for Survivors of Human Trafficking and This is Why
In this article, we will look at a synthesis of empirical evidence and viral anecdotal stories to understand why criminal record relief is particularly pertinent for survivors of human trafficking.
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How You Can Support Survivors Today
Now that you know, let’s act. Here are a few ways you can support survivors experiencing incarceration and arrest. Keep learning (https://freetiffany.org) and join us in showing survivors you believe them. No survivor of trafficking should experience arrest as a result of their trafficking and all survivors who do, deserve and need support!
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Powerful Women Leading the Way to Freeing Survivors like Me
I am Tiffany Simpson. I am a survivor of child sex trafficking. I am a mother. I am an advocate. I am also sitting in a southern Georgia jail now for the past 9 years.
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A Mother’s Fight for Her Child’s Freedom
Amy Cage is the mother of Jessica and Jordan Hampton, two teenage siblings who are charged with capital murder in connection with the murder of the man who was intent of buying them from sex. Karana Rising currently provides social support and legal advocacy to Jessica and Jordan and works closely with Amy to help protect her incarcerated children and advocate for their freedom.
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An arrested childhood: Ashley Lowe’s journey as an incarcerated child sex trafficking victim
Advocates and survivors like Ashley worked to pass the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act to classify child sex trafficking as a form of child abuse, thus mandating that children who are or suspected of being victimized have their case investigated by child welfare agencies who often receive their referrals from law enforcement.
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Dressember Survivor Justice Initiative in Partnership with Karana Rising
This Spring we’re excited to announce the Dressember Survivor Justice Initiative in partnership with Karana Rising. Karana Rising is a survivor-led organization committed to supporting survivors for life from incarceration to healing and wellness.
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What to Read, Listen to, and Watch for Black History Month
February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate and learn from Black stories and voices in the United States. Have you ever wondered why February? Well, in 1926, historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History designated the second week of February as “Negro History Week.” They chose the second week because it includes the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. The celebration of Black history and accomplishments grew into a month-long event, and, in 1976, Black History Month was officially recognized by President Gerald Ford.
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What Can You Do to Influence Human Trafficking Policy?
Human trafficking generates more than $150 billion every year. Types of trafficking include sex trafficking, forced labor, bonded labor, involuntary domestic servitude and child soldier recruitment and use. Advocating for change begins by following one small step after the other. Individuals and organizations gather to empower survivors, encourage justice and take steps to end human trafficking. One important way to advocate for justice is to play a part in influencing human trafficking policy.
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Why do discrepancies exist in how trafficking cases are handled?
In recent years, the American public has become increasingly aware of the sordid reality that is human trafficking. Due to the work of many commited organizations, advocates, lawyers and policymakers, awareness of the human trafficking industry is increasing. However, significant discrepancies exist in resources and access to legal services, leading many victims of human trafficking to be underrepresented and deprived of the constitutional right to due process.
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How are survivors criminalized by legal systems?
Human trafficking has long existed at the margins of society, operating in the shadows. When the red flags go unrecognized, those involved are effectively invisible. When they are brought into the light, it is usually because of criminal activity discovered by law enforcement, at which point they are seen as criminals.
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2020 trends in trafficking cases
It’s no secret: 2020 has been hard on all of us. In the midst of this year, it’s easy to forget about even the most massive of issues in the world, like human trafficking. Are there more cases or less with the pandemic’s prevalence? What about regardless of the pandemic – is there any hope that we can conquer the global issue of trafficking? We’re here to provide you an update.
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How The US Government Combats Domestic Human Trafficking
The fight against human trafficking must be approached from all sides - from nonprofit organizations like Dressember to national governments with unparalleled power. The federal U.S. government is no exception. With expansive resources, the U.S. government plays a pivotal role in creating and implementing domestic anti-trafficking policy.
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International Policies Fighting Human Trafficking
Human trafficking has become the fastest-growing illegal business on the planet. Fueled by consumer demand for cheap labor and sex, it especially preys upon children and women. To fight this injustice, human trafficking laws have been created to advocate for human rights. “Human trafficking affects us all, whether we live in countries of origin, transit or destination. Preventing and combating it requires a comprehensive international approach.”
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