These five leaders are changing the face of human trafficking
These five leaders are changing the face of human trafficking. They have dedicated their time, skills, stories, and sometimes safety in order to end human trafficking. Not only are they advocates themselves, but they empower others to recognize their own passions and skills to make a difference.
Okky Ardya, Documentary Photographer
Photo by Eirliani Abdul Rahman
Originally from Indonesia, Okky Ardya has spent much of her career using her gift of storytelling. In 2012, Okky Ardya shared the stories of undocumented Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia and explored the issues of undocumented immigrants and trafficking victims and survivors. This project is called Hopes & Dreams and is still in progress. In Indonesia, Okky specifically focused on East Nusa Tenggara, where 20% of the population lives below the poverty line. According to the International Migration Organization of Indonesia, 7,200 people have been trafficked from this province. Through her photography and listening to the stories of survivors, Okky has shed light on the intertwining issues of immigration and human trafficking.
Alezandra Russell, Founder and President of Urban Light
In 2009, Alezandra Russell traveled to Thailand to research trafficking and support girl survivors. As she was walking through the Red Light District of Chiang Mai she noticed the number of young boys who were being exploited. Thailand is a notorious destination for sex tourism and has the highest rate of child prostitution in the world. Soon after her trip, she returned to Thailand and founded Urban Light, an organization dedicated to empowering, restoring and providing emergency services and support to boys in Chiang Mai who are being trafficked. Since its founding, Urban Light has provided services for 3,000 boys, over 10,000 hot meals, and over 15,000 hours of service. In 2018, Alezandra was forced to flee Thailand due to her work and in 2019 she was the recipient of the Mother Teresa Memorial Award which recognizes the works of individuals and organizations who use their creativity towards social justice.
Noor Tagouri, Journalist
In her podcast Sold in America, Noor Tagouri investigates human trafficking in the United States, with a specific focus on the sex trade. Audiences hear how Noor’s own understanding of the sex trade is complicated by the testimonies of people she interviews. While Sold in America leaves more questions than answers, it provides a path to bring everyone to the table around the conversation of human trafficking. One of the clear answers in the podcast is that kids experiencing homelessness are at increased risk of being trafficked. To help fight this, Noor partnered with the National Network for Youth, an organization focused on the needs of youth in runaway and homeless situations. She encourages her audience to think of a cause that is most important to them and to combine their skill sets and talents to work for that cause. She assures her audience that, no matter the small part they play, it will make a difference.
Alika Kinan, Survivor and Advocate
Born in Argentina, Alika Kinan left her hometown and landed in the port city of Ushuaia, where her travel documents were taken away and she was trafficked at the age of 18. For the next 20 years, Alika worked in a brothel until she was rescued in 2012. In 2016 Alika became the first Argentine woman to sue the state and the traffickers and win her case. In 2017, the U.S. State Department recognized Alika for her work in activism against trafficking. Through her advocacy, she explains the complexities of trafficking that are often misunderstood. Alika talks about the drug dependence which started in her attempt to dissociate herself from the situation. She also discusses how, when she was first rescued, she had sympathy for her pimp and the years of therapy required to realize what she had been through. Today, she works with the government of Argentina to enhance its response to human trafficking.
Dave Terpstra, Cofounder of Free the Girls
Photo: Abby Mortenson (Free The Girls)
After working with survivors of human trafficking in Mozambique and learning that bras are considered a luxury item in used clothing markets, Dave Terpstra created Free the Girls. Free the Girls is not your typical anti-trafficking organization. Like other organizations, they partner alongside survivors of sex trafficking through reintegration programs and economic opportunities. Here’s how the model of Free the Girls is different: they collect donations of gently used and new bras, which are then sold by survivors of human trafficking in order to start their own businesses. After being featured on CNN, the project was able to expand to El Salvador and Costa Rica.
About the Author
Madeline Van Husen first decided to be a part of Dressember while procrastinating physics homework her senior year of high school and the rest is herstory. When she isn’t too busy hosting hot chocolate parties, asking people the 36 questions, or avoiding the dreaded side-hug, you can find her curled up reading a good book, creating playlists on Spotify or drinking copious amounts of tea or frozen hot chocolate. Maddy is a senior at Boston College and wants to be like her mom when she grows up.