Yesterday was World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, a day that places focus on the issue of trafficking and what we in Northern Ireland can do to help.
To bring awareness to this important issue, we are pleased to announce our partnership with local human trafficking charity – Flourish NI. We are so excited to bring you our Buy One Donate One initiative that has now launched and will be ongoing throughout the month of August. We would love for you to get involved!
What is the Buy One Donate One Initiative?
During the month of August, for every You GLOW Girl t-shirt, sweatshirt, pair of shorts or backpack that is purchased, we will donate a care pack of toiletries to Flourish NI. They will then pass it along to human trafficking survivors across Northern Ireland. When survivors are beginning their recovery process, essential items like toiletries can help introduce routine and positive wellbeing back into their lives.
For every sweatshirt purchased during our Buy One Donate One initiative, a care package will be donated, for every t-shirt, pair of shorts or backpack purchased, 2 toiletries will be donated. So no matter your purchase you will be helping to make a positive impact!
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is defined as the movement of a person from one place to another into conditions of exploitation, such as:
- Forced labour
- Sexual exploitation
- Domestic Servitude
- Criminal Exploitation
Figures of victims affected go up every year, but in 2016 it was estimated that there are at least 24.9 million victims of forced labour worldwide at any moment. 4.8 million of these victims are from forced sexual exploitation, 70% of these victims are women and girls.
Who are Flourish NI?
Flourish NI is a local charity based in Northern Ireland with the aim to support and empower individuals affected by human trafficking to be able to move on to lead safe, independent and resilient lives.
Survivors face many barriers from being able to move on with their lives, including: ongoing police investigations and court cases against traffickers, poor english ability, family in a different country, debt problems and complex mental health issues.
Flourish provide support services such as: finding safe housing, accessing appropriate public services, sourcing employment or educational opportunities, advocacy, obtaining trauma therapy and general life skills. Flourish also support individuals to navigate the justice system in cases against traffickers and immigration processes. All of this is carried out through intensive 1:1 casework. Alongside this, Flourish recognises the need for group work and peer support so they facilitate a number of programs such as craft classes, art therapy and also their Sew & Skill programme in connection to their social enterprise ‘SEWN’.
Charities like these are so important to support. We are absolutely delighted to be partnering up with such an incredible charity and are excited to be able to contribute to the recovery of survivors in a way that also aligns with our own mission to empower!
What’s Inside the Buy One Donate One Care Packs?
These care packs are personalised for women, men and babies so we can easily make sure a range of needs are being met. Along with essentials such as toothpaste and shampoo, they also include products like sanitary wear for women/girls and provide hand sanitiser bottles to help with hand hygiene in these difficult times. All of these care packs benefit survivors in need and assist in their overall journey to recovery.
Full List of Women’s Buy One Share One Care Pack Items:
- Shampoo
- Body wash
- Moisturizer
- Deodorant
- Sanitary Towels
- Toothpaste
- Baby Wipes
Full List of Men’s Buy One Share One Care Pack Items:
- Body Wash/Shampoo
- Shaving Gel
- Toothpaste
- Roll-on Deodorant
- Body Spray
- Baby Wipes
- Hand Sanitiser
Full List of Babies Buy One Share One Care Pack Items:
- Nappies
- Nappy Cream
- Baby Bath/Shampoo
- Baby Wipes
How Can I Make a Difference?
Every purchase of a sweatshirt, T-shirt or pair of shorts this August goes directly to donating a care pack to a survivor of human trafficking in Northern Ireland. These are much needed essentials for people who have been through extremely difficult times. Be sure to check out our friends at Flourish NI for more information on how to help further.
Be sure to check out our recorded live stream below to catch up with Nikkita (GLOW NI) and Jill from Flourish NI. In this stream they have a chat about Flourish NI’s incredible work, the Buy One Donate One initiative, how to look out for warning signs that someone may be a victim of human trafficking and how what Flourish NI does supports women and girls.
Browse our current collection and send a Buy One Donate One care pack to a survivor here.