Beauty Doing Good: The Body Shop and Sex Trafficking

I almost hate to post this after a serious of cheery posts, but there's never a good time to talk about sex trafficking, is there? I first became aware of the importance of this issue back in a women's studies class in college and as heart wrenching as it is that this is still going on (and in shocking numbers), I'm happy to see it getting some serious attention lately.

The Body Shop has always been a huge supporter of campaigns dealing with human rights and since 2009, one of their primary areas of focus has been the Stop Sex Trafficking of Children & Young People campaign. According to The Body Shop, with more than 2.5 million people trafficked every year, human trafficking is the world's third-largest criminal industry after illegal drugs and guns. 1.2 million children and young people are estimated to be trafficked each year, sexually abused and exploited.

They’re now launching a provocative campaign (left) emphasizing the urgent need to end human trafficking, which the late Dame Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, called the 'modern-day slave trade'.

So far, they’ve raised 1.5 million dollars in North America for ECPAT groups and the Somaly Mam Foundation (which was founded by a survivor).

To learn more or donate directly to help the cause, visit The Body Shop's website. Or by purchasing the special edition of the Soft Hands, Kind Heart Hand Cream or The Body Shop Bag for Life you can support their efforts.

~Olessa
Deputy Editor, Health & Beauty

<Photo courtesy of The Body Shop