We are excited to be in the process of developing Penh Lenh, a jewelry line inspired by two survivors of sex trafficking in Cambodia. These two girls expressed unwavering passion to make beautiful things and create their own jewelry line. In partnership with Transitions Global,  we at Abolition International  are working to make this dream a reality.

One of the first Penh Lenh jewelry designs:

This piece from Penh Lenh includes a coin that was commonly found in Cambodia but has since been forgotten. The coin is being made beautiful again through this necklace by Penh Lenh.

The meaning behind Penh Lenh:

We chose the name Penh Lenh, which means “whole” in the Cambodian language Khmer, because it represents the truth about these two young women. They are not broken or pieced together, they are strong and wonderfully made.

Meet the team for Penh Lenh:

For this to be a sustainable business, we’ve pulled together an incredible team of people who believe in this dream and are working hard to make it a reality.

Rachel D.
Rachel worked in the fashion industry and traveled to Cambodia recently as an Abolition International intern. While there she developed a special bond with the two girls who are the inspiration for Penh Lenh jewelry. Rachel will be living in Cambodia for the next five to six months to work with the girls and help manage the program at Transitions.

Lindsay F.
Lindsay is a Nashville-based jewelry designer. Her jewelry line, Simon and Ruby, can be found in over 35 boutiques around the country. This summer Lindsay will be traveling to Cambodia to work with the two girls on the first round of Penh Lenh jewelry designs.

Kerbi H.
Kerbi is a volunteer for Abolition International and has valuable experience in developing social enterprises with an interest in jewelry and accessory lines. Kerbi will be joining Lindsay this summer in traveling to Cambodia to work on the first round of jewelry designs for Penh Lenh.

Sarah H.
Sarah is the director of marketing and communications at Abolition International and was the first inspired by the girls’ dreams. Since her last visit to Cambodia, Sarah has been working to gather this team together to launch Penh Lenh jewelry.

We are thrilled to share this journey with you. Follow @abolitionintl for the latest updates.  Support Penh Lenh jewelry here.

For Freedom,

Abolition International & the Penh Lenh team

Penh Lenh (PEN-LEN), meaning “whole” in the Cambodian language Khmer, is a jewelry line inspired by two young women with a dream. Abolition International, in partnership with Transitions Global in Phnom Penh, Cambodia is helping make their dream a reality. While in Transitions’ aftercare program, these two girls expressed unwavering passion to create their own jewelry line, one that would represent who they are. Just like the pieces of jewelry they have crafted, they are not broken or pieced together; they are strong and wonderfully made.

Simon & Ruby, an American jewelry design company, is partnering with Abolition International to develop the first round of jewelry pieces for Penh Lenh. We need your help to cover the startup costs for the jewelry line, which is $23,000.

You have an incredible opportunity to partner with us in establishing a high-quality, sustainable jewelry line that will bring to life two girls’ dreams; two girls who are now free to dream again.  

In partnership with Free the Birds, the Celebrity Birdhouse Auction for Abolition International supports quality aftercare for women and children rescued from sex trafficking in the United States. Each birdhouse up for auction has been hand painted by artists Paramore, Nicole Kidman, Amy Grant, The Fray, Grace Potter, Anberlin / Paper Route and Ingrid Michaelson in support of freedom!

Amy Grant’s birdhouse is the first up for auction and starts today at 4PM PST  / 7PM EST

We have fulfilled our commitment to fund the TO BE FREE quality aftercare expansion in Atlanta, GA.

Through Abolition International supporters, $60,000 was given to help establish Wellspring’s Empowered Living Program (ELP) in Atlanta. This program is Wellspring’s first independent living program for girls ages 17-22. The program endorses individual apartment-style living, group therapy, life skills classes, assistance with educational and employment goals, and support with relationship building. While the past cannot be reversed, ELP strives to give these young women tangible ways to improve their lives and build their future. We are honored to help establish this quality program. Thank you for providing hope and freedom to survivors of sex slavery right here in the United States!

Abolition International has a new look and our mission is even stronger. We are still focused on quality care for survivors and are working to end sexual slavery by providing hope and freedom through aftercare, accreditation, advocacy, and awareness. We are committed to integrity and excellence, as well as creating a community of inspired abolitionists who are determined to end sex slavery in our lifetime.

At Abolition International we are providing aftercare homes and working groups around the world with resources that ensure quality care for survivors of human trafficking. The Abolition International Shelter Association (A.I.S.A.) has more than tripled this past year and is continuing to grow as new individuals, groups, and shelters across the world join the association. The A.I.S.A. Accreditation Manual will be available to guide organizations in achieving the highest standards of care. In addition, in support of the Christian Medical Dental Association (CMDA) guidelines and training modules, we are providing educational resources for the medical community to support its role in identifying, reporting, and treating victims of human trafficking.
Through your support this year we have already:

• Equipped twenty groups and facilities through the A.I.S.A.
• Invested in training five A.I.S.A. programs in trauma counseling
• Developed the Accreditation Manual
• Expanded quality aftercare capacity in the United States
• Educated thousands about the realities of human trafficking

This is just the beginning of a new era for Abolition International.

Become a Freedom Giver to support Abolition International’s mission of continued quality aftercare for survivors of sex slavery. 

Last month, Abolition sent intern Rachel Dodson to Cambodia to work with 2 girls living at Transitions’ Dream Home who are interested in jewelry design. Through the care of Transitions, these young women have been healing from the nightmare they endured and thankfully, they have begun to dream again. By being in a place that endorses a positive future and supports their wellness, they have discovered their passion for making jewelry. Rachel was sent to help start making that dream a reality.

Rachel: In preparing for my trip to Cambodia, I read a lot about the city, the culture, what to expect, how to prepare, etc. Nothing quite captures and sums up what I find to be true quite like this quote I read from a guide book:

“Phnom Penh sits at a crossroads of Asia’s past and present; it’s a city of extremes of poverty and excess, of charm and chaos, a city that never fails to captivate. Phnom Penh can be an assault on the senses. Motorbikes fly through the lanes without thought for pedestrians, markets exude pungent scents, and all the while the sounds of life, of commerce, and of survival reverberate through the streets.”

I spent my first weekend familiarizing myself with the city, modes of transportation (Tuk-Tuk and motorbike), meeting various people from Transitions, and tracking down supplies from local markets. Some supplies were easy to find, like thread and beads, while others were much more difficult – chains, clasps, and jump rings.

When I began working with the girls, we were unsure of their interest, attention span, and abilities in the work so we planned a two hour class in the morning. The first day was an absolute dream. The girls were equally as excited as I was and learned quickly. Things went so well, we decided I would do a much longer class in the morning and added an afternoon class. I have been absolutely blown away by the girls focus, patience, attention to detail and drive to make each piece perfect. Not only are they are curious, but they have such a passion to learn and take on challenges. I am working with wonderful translators to facilitate the process, but I try to speak directly to the girls as much as possible. Everyday, they teach me Khmer and I teach them English (mostly words related to jewelry), but it has helped us develop a rapport and communication is becoming more fluent. I cannot explain the joy I feel seeing their pride in accomplishment; the light in their eyes  when they can hold something beautiful, something they made.

I feel absolutely blessed to be in a position to encourage these girls and empower them to do something in which they are truly skilled.

Learn more about the jewelry project in Cambodia. Support the project by giving here.

By Dr. Jeff Barrows, VP of Education and Advocacy and Director of the Abolition International Shelter Association.

When people hear about the horror of sex trafficking happening all around the United States and the reality that there are very few specialized facilities to care for these victims, they often respond with the conviction to start a facility themselves. Unfortunately, this is not always the best answer for lasting care. Victims of domestic sex trafficking are extensively traumatized and there are lasting effects that often haunt a victim throughout their lifetime. Therefore, there are specific needs and recovery steps that are unique to victims of sex trafficking.

One of the tools that Abolition International will use to ensure the highest level of quality aftercare within Abolition International Shelter Association (A.I.S.A.) member organizations is accreditation. Accreditation involves a thorough evaluation of every aspect within a rehabilitative program including the physical facility, staff training, and program evaluation.

Abolition International is in the process of putting together an accreditation manual that outlines what policies will be reviewed as well as existing promising practices in each area. Once completed, this manual will be useful in helping organizations achieve accreditation and it will be beneficial for developing organizations to use as a guide while they build their programs and policies. This manual will demand the highest level of care and rehabilitation services by setting in place standards and precedents that will increase the effectiveness of aftercare programs throughout the states. Through this manual, we will not only help bring hope and freedom to the innumerable victims of sex trafficking in the United States, but we will also aid in the long-lasting recovery process; ensuring that victims are saved from a past that could haunt them.

Abolition International is working on the forefront of providing quality, evidence based care to victims of sex trafficking here in the U.S. The manual will be completed by June of 2013 and available to members of the A.I.S.A. To learn more about the Abolition International Shelter Association, please visit here.

Dr.  Barrows studied at St. Olaf College and received his medical degree from College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, as well as a Master of Art in Bioethics from Trinity University. He practiced Ob/Gyn for 17 years and office gynecology for 10 years in a small town in Ohio. Dr. Barrows has served as the Director for Medical Education International, a ministry of the Christian Medical Dental Association. In 2004, Dr. Barrows began researching human trafficking after a colleague made him aware of the issue. He then met with the state department’s TIP ambassador and was asked to research the health consequences of human trafficking. He now focuses his energy on the quality and functionality of Abolition’s aftercare programs for survivors as well as training healthcare professionals to identify and help victims of trafficking.

Abolition Community Highlight: our friends Arbella and Janet are running the Shamrock Shuffle in support of Abolition International!  They’re well on their way to reaching their fundraising goal of $2,000! We’re so thankful for their commitment to running for freedom.

The work that we do at Abolition is made possible through fundraising events and incredible supporters like Arbella and Janet. Contact us or visit our community fundraising page if you want to set up your own fundraising event for Abolition International.

OLGA

In 2012, Abolition helped expand the Abolition International Shelter Association member Beginning of Life in Moldova from caring for 8 girls to being able to care for 16 girls rescued from sex trafficking. This is a recent story from the aftercare home.

For Olga, darkness was not only a prison, but also a solace. She used her captivity as a way to cope with the circumstance by which she was victimized. At only 8 years old, Olga was raped and thrown into a whirlwind of sexual abuse, exploitation, and alcohol. She used her anger as strength because it was all she could grasp.

Beginning of Life ministry in Moldova found Olga in 2010 and took her in for rehabilitation. At first, she was resistant to any and all treatment. The shroud of anger and pain she had become so accustomed to, still covered her eyes. But over the course of a year, the staff was able to lift the veil and help her see that she was valued and loved. Despite her past, she realized she could move into a future full of hope and potential. But again, it took Olga a while to reach a place of complete surrender and serenity. Not long after leaving the ministry, she met a man at a party. Despite the casual nature of the relationship, it resulted in pregnancy. She didn’t love him and he didn’t love her. Olga was terrified. She didn’t want to disappoint those that had helped her come so far, so she was tempted to have an abortion. Her friend suggested it would be easy and no one would know but Olga knew in her heart that God was with her. She felt His love and presence and thus turned to the people she knew would help her and her baby. The Beginning of Life ministry staff graciously and lovingly came to her aid once again.

On April 12th, Olga gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The sight of such a pure soul was the evidence of hope she needed to truly move forward in her life. She quickly learned what it meant to take responsibility for her actions and the power she has to make smart decisions that will keep her on the right path. She temporarily lives in the BOL reintegration center where she is employed. She is paid to complete sewing and craft projects. The money she earns allows her to pay rent and provide food for her and her daughter. The center focuses on preparing its residents with skills and a realistic view on life outside of rehabilitation so once they are ready, each resident is equipped to survive.

Olga will graduate from the program this year.

Sometimes it takes more than one fall to realize hope will meet you wherever you land, but the beauty of the human spirit is its resilience. It fights for a way out because we were all called to be free.

Remember Olga’s story by wearing the TO BE FREE bracelet

In 2011, volunteers within the Christian Medical Dental Association who are passionate about fighting human trafficking became increasingly aware of the need for in-depth comprehensive training materials for healthcare professionals purposed to identify and treat victims of human trafficking. Abolition International’s Dr. Jeff Barrows (VP of Education and Advocacy and Director of the Abolition International Shelter Association) and Dr. Katherine Welch (Advisor to the Abolition International Shelter Association) were among the members of this volunteer group. Working as a team, in association with the Christian Medical Dental Association, a plan was developed to create a series of educational modules that would be placed online and available to continue education for physicians and dentists in learning how to identify and care for victims of human trafficking.

Led by Dr. Jeff Barrows,  Dr. Katherine Welch, Dr. Gloria Halverson, Dr. Clydette Powell, and Ruth Downing, MSN, the educational series was completed and consists of the following 11 modules. Currently, these are the only trafficking educational modules available for continuing medical education credit (CME).

1.     Introduction to domestic trafficking within the U.S.
2.     Introduction to international trafficking
3.     The physical health consequences of human trafficking
4.     The mental health consequences of human trafficking
5.     The identification and medical evaluation of labor trafficking victims
6.     The identification and medical evaluation of sex trafficking victims
7.     Identification and treatment of long term health consequences
8.     Multidisciplinary care of the trafficked person
9.     The healthcare professional’s role beyond the clinic setting
10.   The spiritual basis for a response to human trafficking
11.   Caring for victims in low resource settings

It is available online at no cost (a small fee is added if taken for continuing education credit) at this address: http://cmda.org/tip.