The British Columbia Women's Ministries are raising funds for Human Trafficking by selling The Sparkle of Hope Pin, and are raising awareness at the same time.

The pins are available for $10.00 through a number of retail locations in British Columbia, or can be ordered through Amelia_Smith@can.salvationarmy.org.  Proceeds go toward The Salvation Army's fight against human trafficking in British Columbia.

TRUTH AND LIES ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND PROSTITUTION
THE LIE - Human trafficking is not the same as prostitution.
THE TRUTH - Prostitution is human trafficking. Varying degrees of sex slavery range from fear based bondage where a worker may have freedom to roam the streets, but is expected to return with profit to a pimp, to physical bondage in a brothel, where women and children have been transported away from their home and held in captivity in order to perform sex acts that profit a sex trade ring or pimp. In both cases, threats and acts of physical violence hold the women and children in a state of actual or perceived slavery.

THE LIE - Human trafficking only happens in poor, undeveloped countries.
THE TRUTH - Human trafficking is an international and domestic problem. Women are lured into the sex trade from within Canada and outside Canada. The sex trade is very much alive and well in British Columbia, and throughout the rest of Canada.

THE LIE - Human trafficking must involve violence and confinement.
THE TRUTH - Although human trafficking can include both violence and confinement, it might be based solely on deceit, psychological manipulation and/or threats of violence.

THE LIE - Women working in prostitution, strip clubs, escort agencies and sex massage parlours choose their profession for the lifestyle and money. They are living the "Pretty Woman" dream by setting their own terms of work and keeping all the money they earn. THE TRUTH - The majority of workers in the sex trade are trapped in modem sex slavery. They are lured by a boyfriend or recruiter posing as a friend or potential employer. Some are sold into the industry by their fathers, brothers or husbands. After recruitment, the women are trapped by drug addiction and debt bondage to a pimp, gang or sex trade ring.

THE LIE - Prostitution is sex between two consenting adults. It's not hurting anyone, so it's no big deal.
THE TRUTH - It is estimated that 90 of woman are not working in the sex trade by choice; therefore they are not consenting adults. Furthermore, many are under the age of 19 years old making prostitution rape.

For more information visit www.thetruthisntsexy.ca