In a world grappling with the dark realities of human trafficking, a growing number of businesses are stepping up to confront this global crisis head-on.
These social good enterprises not only prioritize profitability but also dedicate their missions to combating human trafficking and supporting survivors.
Their innovative approaches blend business acumen with social impact, aiming not just to raise awareness but to enact tangible change.
From empowering survivors through employment opportunities to disrupting trafficking networks with innovative technologies, these businesses are at the forefront of a movement to eradicate modern-day slavery.
Join us as we delve into the inspiring stories of social enterprises committed to making a difference in the fight against human trafficking.
Social good businesses help in three ways. They either:
- Give back to nonprofits that help in the fight of human trafficking.
- Employ the victims of human trafficking giving them hope and means to support themselves.
- Do both!
There are several ways the average consumer can support social good businesses who make the cause of ending human trafficking their mission.
Here are a few we discovered.
Outland Denim
Outland Denim is a pioneering social enterprise in the fashion industry, dedicated to combating human trafficking and supporting vulnerable women through sustainable employment.
Based in Cambodia, Outland Denim provides survivors of human trafficking with fair wages, skills training, and employment opportunities in denim manufacturing. By offering a safe and supportive work environment, they empower women to rebuild their lives and break the cycle of exploitation.
Good Paper
Can it be more than ink on paper? At Good Paper, they believe it can.
Good Paper's mission is to revive the human spirit, restoring the innate humanity and resilience that often goes overlooked and undervalued.
It begins with their artisans — women who have courageously escaped sex trafficking in the Philippines and young adults orphaned by disease in Rwanda.
But it doesn't end there. It continues with every customer who chooses to send one of Good Paper's handcrafted creations to someone they care about.
With each card, customers are not just sending a message; they're delivering delight, encouragement, joy, and hope.
The Tote Project
Co-founders Fay Grant and Michelle Chavez are both activists in the fight of human trafficking. They founded The Tote Project that makes fair trade totes and pouches that are sewn in India by women who have made the choice to journey out of the sex trade and into freedom.
They also donate 20% of their profits to Two Wings to help survivors of human trafficking in the United States pursue their dreams.
Citizen and Darling
Christina Vaichus Karina McAhren, co-founders and friends use a 3-prong approach with their apparel brand Citizen and Darling. They strive to spread awareness through their clothing, produce ethically and they donate to partner nonprofits.
Through their apparel, Citizen and Darling spreads awareness of human trafficking by their slogans like “Freedom Fighter” and “Wonderfully Made”.
Their goods are ethically produced and sweatshop free – all certified by an independent third party. They also donate 10% of each item sold to different non-profit anti-human trafficking organizations.
The next two are social enterprises that are an all-in-one that try to cover all the bases.
They are a big stepping stone for survivors of human trafficking, by giving them holistic resources from shelter to education, providing them a community to heal and they have a product arm wherein the survivors are given job training skills.
Purpose Jewelry
PURPOSE Jewelry is the product arm of iSanctuary. Their jewelry is beautifully crafted by human trafficking survivors in Mumbai, India and Orange County, California providing them freedom, dignity and hope for these survivors.
From creation to shipping, these young women are playing a critical role in every step of the process. They are able to earn a fair wage and gain employable skills for the future.
Thistle Farms
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Thistle Farms‘ mission is to heal, empower and employ women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. They do this by providing safe and supportive housing, medical care, therapy, education, and job training. Their product arm are everyday items like hands soaps, lotions, textiles and decor.
Slavery is real, but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s join in this fight together. We can simply start by consciously purchasing items that are ethically made and supporting businesses that are doing something about it.
