Scarlet Cord provides a way of escape for women and children who have been trafficked and sexually exploited. Started in 2006, Scarlet Cord has sent tens of thousands of dollars to three key ministries involved in the fight to end human trafficking.
Scarlet Cord was founded in response to the dire need to combat human trafficking. Between 600, 000 and 820, 000 people are trafficked across borders annually. Half of these are minors and approximately 70% are female. The vast majority of these cases were for the purposes of forced prostitution and/or sexual exploitation.
Children are especially vulnerable.
While most victims are taken from poorer countries, often with promises of work or through fraud, coercion and/or threats of violence, it is richer countries that enable such a trade to flourish. In the United States there were over 1,200 known cases of trafficking between January 2007 and Septmember 2008, 83% of which were sex trafficking cases. In Canada sex trafficking is worth an estimated $400 million annually. As many as 800 people are estimated to be trafficked into Canada yearly, with at least double that additionally brought into the United States through Canada.
Common destinations for victims of human trafficking are Thailand, Japan, North America, and Western Europe.
Sex slavery and human trafficking are not issues on the other side of the world, they are issues in our towns and cities. The prostitutes that North Americans visit at home and abroad, the pornography that North Americans consume and the continued wilful ignorance of Western countries continues to fuel sex trafficking and to enable the sex trade to flourish.
Now is the time to do something. Awareness is important. You can contact your local MP, or the Prime Minister regarding Canada’s poor record regarding human trafficking.
You can also donate to Scarlet Cord.
100% of money donated goes directly to three ministries on the frontlines in the war on trafficking. These ministries have been directly visited by Cal Keys, the founder of Scarlet Cord. As awareness of the problem of human trafficking rises, traffickers take advantage by fraudulently raising money for their criminal enterprises under the guise of charitable organizations. By visiting the supported ministries Scarlet Cord ensures that the money goes where it is needed.
These ministries are:
Nightlight in Thailand
“In January 2005, NightLight began to address the lack of opportunity for women trapped in Bangkok’s sex trade by providing them with a viable alternative means for supporting themselves.
NightLight Thailand, operates under two branches: NightLight Design, Co. Ltd, the registered jewelry business offering holistic employment, and NightLight Foundation, the non-profit branch focusing on holistic intervention for women, families and communities affected by the global sex industry.”
In April 2009 Scarlet Cord sent a team to Thailand. They worked with the children of former prostitutes and visited an orphanage for children with HIV/AIDS. They provided childcare for the children of former prostitutes so that their mothers were able to continue their education and build better lives for them and their families.
Reaching Out in Romania
Reaching Out has a 90% success rate in getting former victims a new life and career. Founder Iana has gained international recognition for her efforts.
Women at Risk in Ethiopia
Women at Risk has a 94% success rate in getting sexually exploited women a new life and career.
Women at Risk provides “counselling and rehabilitation, marketable skills training, job finding and small business set-ups, alongside other teaching schemes.”
They run a half-way house called Filiklik (Meaning "bubbling with joy, energy and enthusiasm")
Two Centuries ago William Wilberforce fought to have the slave trade abolished. Now it is time to take up the fight again.