Academy Award Winner Susan Sarandon has joined forces with The Body Shop, the Somaly Mam Foundation, and ECPAT USA to help children trafficked for sex with the launch of the Stop Trafficking of Children and Young People Petition.

At least 1.2 million children and young people are exploited in the global sex trade each year.  It happens in every country, including the US.  Sex trafficking is now the third largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the world after illegal drugs and arms trafficking.  It generates close to 9.5 billion dollars a year.  Strong laws and enforcement at a state level are crucial to protect children and young people.  The petition encourages Americans to lend their signatures to help lobby for “Safe Harbor” laws which protects victims of sex trafficking from being arrested and prosecuted for prostitution. According to Body Shop Director of Values, Shelley Simmons, “ Sex trafficking exists in every continent, region, and country the world over from the poorest to the richest.  The Body Shop has never shied away from tackling controversial issues and causes that others would avoid.  Indeed, it was one of the last wishes of our late founder, Dame Anita Roddick that this ‘modern day slave trade’ be brought to an end”.

The Incredible Somaly Mam

In addition to the petition, which officially launched this week, the Body Shop is also raising funds for the issue with its special edition, Soft Hands Kind Heart hand cream.

TGATP strongly supports all organizations including the Somaly Mam Foundation, dedicated to ending the terrible abuse and assisting the victims of sex trafficking.  Please sign the petition  online at www.thebodyshop.com/stop or in the Body Shop Stores.  Also, make sure to buy the hand cream (it will make great stocking stuffers) for yourself and everyone you know!

For more information on the Somaly Mam Foundation:  http://www.somaly.org/

For more information on ECPAT:  http://www.ecpatusa.org/

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