OUGD505: Product, Range & Distribution//Evaluation

With this brief I deliberately choose a research topic which is hard hitting as I tend to sway with more “wooly” subject areas, so I feel I have really stepped out of my comfort zone with this brief. Researching into human right campaigns and trafficking made me feel incredibly naïve as I had no idea just how bad and disgusting a crime it is, but it also made me very passionate, aware and awake. Today, there are an estimated 35.7 million ‘modern day slaves’ and every 30 seconds another person is a victim of trafficking. There are more slaves today than in any other time in history. I narrowed my research down into sex trafficking this is something I am interested in finding out about as well as being a feminist and passionately against the exploitation of women. This years and previous years COP essays have been largely focused on misogyny and women in advertising/exploitation of women/feminine ideals etc. 

Visiting the Disobedient Objects exhibition in London really demonstrated to me how political activism can drive a wealth of design ingenuity and creativity that defy standard definitions of art and design. I found the exhibition enjoyable and very engrossing. Seeing the banners, and badges up close, rather than seeing them in photographs in the media made it a lot more real, it also sparked inspiration into what I could produce for this campaign.

The concept behind my campaign, ‘We are Humans’ is to raise awareness and educate people directly about the disgusting nature of sex trafficking and its mental and physical effects on women as well as raising awareness on gender equality. Due to the serious nature of my topic area it wouldn’t be appropriate to use comical/tongue in cheek language. I have used serious, matter-of-fact, informative and no-nonsense language. The content is easy to read and understand to educate a broad range of people. I felt this was the best way to fight Human Trafficking on an individual to educate and raise awareness on the subject by drumming in the fact that trafficking is not a problem away from home but happens right here in the UK.

I have used a broad range of skills and techniques within this project, this includes; screen-printing, badge-making, stickers, digital work and colour pantone matching.

Once I had my logo, I found it easy to begin applying it in different ways. The logo has been kept simple, contemporary so it will be easily recognisable and iconic of the campaign. The circle represents putting a full stop on trafficking. Although initially, I did have some concerns about using the colour pink however, this is a campaign about raising awareness about trafficking, a disgusting and unseen crime, and its physical and mental effects on women so it needs to be a somewhat feminine sensitive colour due to the nature of the issue. As well as this in colour psychology, pink is a sign of hope and compassion. Colours have been kept to a minimum to keep down the print cost and produce more work cheaply to reach more people across the UK.

I have managed to apply my logo and products appropriately, instead of just designing things on just one platform I have created a range of products for my campaign including tote bags, badges, stickers, leaflets, social media pages, website and a poster to be distributed across the UK. The campaign pack will be available to buy online for people to show their support. The main base for my campaign will be in London as that is where I have organised a theoretical march.

The campaign also has a digital platform which will be active on all social media sites with the hashtag #wearehumans as nearly one in four people worldwide use social media sites the campaign could have the potential to grow huge.

If I were to have more time on the project, I would have liked to have created a poster series perhaps screen-printed, as I am not 100% happy with my poster or a5 leaflet, admittedly I left the poster to last as I was really struggling what to do for it. I feel some of the finishes on my work could be better and look more professional.

Overall, I am pleased with how the project has gone and what I have produced. I feel I have answered the brief well, by choosing a topic I am passionate about and producing a range of products to be distributed. I feel I have managed my time well by setting myself personal targets to get things completed by for example, booking print/photography slots early. I have managed to step outside of my comfort zone, by choosing a hard topic and creating a range of products I've never done before. I feel I have taken my topic of 'sex trafficking' but have produced a powerful campaign which is tasteful and sensitive about the issue as well as being educational in raising awareness. 

Workshop: My Methodology

Methodology- a system of methods used in a particular area of study or activity.

My Methodology 

My methodology needs to be improved before entering third year. I do tend research a lot (I am constantly looking at design) but very loosely, hoping what I take in eventually re-surfaces itself at a later, more appropriate date. I do analysis images and but I don't critical analysis my work critically or in depth. However, this method does often work but I know its not the most ideal method of producing informed and critically, efficient work. This was clear from my responsive submission I got a 55% for research/blogging yet 70%'s for my outcomes and idea generation. If I wasn't so stubborn about research/blogging and just got on with it I know I could be aiming for a first. However, I have a real attitude towards blogging with the thought of 'I am at an art college to create, not blog step by step about my thoughts and feelings' it tends to frustrates me as this is not how it works in the real design world. Before third year I need a real attitude change towards blogging, and just get on with it, but I find it so dry. 

I have always been a visual learner. I prefer using images, pictures, colours, and maps to organise information and communicate with others. I find creating mind maps incredibly useful. 

Sketching to me is essential, I am always sketching down my first initial ideas. I always use pen and paper before moving onto the screen.

Time management is something I seriously need to improve on, I tend to leave work until the last minute and I feel this is something which is clear in m execution and finishing processes. I have found myself rushing and doing things for the sake of them rather than enjoying the process from start to finish. I need to develop the perfect balance between work and play. I have started to treat my degree like a 9 - 5 job , working an extra couple hours in the day and a day on the weekend , I have found that I am a lot less stressed and I am able to relax.  

I find crits incredibly useful, getting honest feedback on my work helps me produce stronger outcomes. Overall, I feel I have made a vast improvement on my methodology from last year, I find my designs are a lot more conceptual. 

Aspects of your feedback/ assessment that you wish to develop and identify.

critically informed work involves significant research and contextualisation which seems to be the area lacking in your submission.

I need to actually blog the research I do, which I do do, but not all of it or in depth. When I am blogging I tend to think will other people find what I am writing interesting? or is this necessary? or will the tutors even read this. 

A greater level of focus on specific areas of Graphic Design would help inform your design decisions more consistently.

I would like to investigate further into different aspects of design in the future such as coding/design for the web as this is something I am interested in and I feel would develop my design. I need to experiment further with my ideas. 

The body of work that you have presented demonstrates an excellent understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a contemporary Graphic Designer. You have shown a consistently high level of project management, organisation and documentation of individual and collaborative projects. Your opinions, reflections and solutions are communicated clearly, professionally and effectively through a
range of appropriate methods.

I was really pleased with this piece of feedback, it made me feel a lot more confident in my abilities and clarified to me that I am on the right track.

OUGD505: Product Range Distribution: Irish Times

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/regional/cross-border-campaign-to-oppose-sex-trade-and-trafficking-1-6703021

This is a news report from Ireland. Almost one in 10 men in Ireland north and south have paid for sex but not on a regular basis, a poll has found as part of a campaign against the sex trade.

The Red C poll surveyed 1,033 over-18s in mid-March as part of the European Commission’s Reach Project to raise awareness of trafficking as a form of violence against women and girls. It found:

• 88 per cent of Irish men have never bought sex – eight per cent have, but not regularly;

• 72 per cent of those surveyed believe women who sell sex were forced into it by difficult circumstances;

• 62 per cent believe that women who sell sex have been pimped or trafficked into the sex industry;

• 60 per cent believe that the primary reason men buy sex is because of sexual practices their partners are not willing to engage in;

• 79 per cent of people believe criminal gangs or pimps profit most from prostitution and trafficking in Ireland while only eight per cent believe the women who sell sex are the main beneficiaries.

We Don't Buy it Campaign 

http://bcove.me/sy8cvg83

OUGD505: Product Range and Distribution/Logo Development

example of logo applied onto tote bags 

After having a chat with Danny and presenting my idea about having the logo just a circle as I had some worries about using the colour pink as it can be seen as girly-ish and the logo being too simple. However, this is a campaign about raising awareness about trafficking, a disgusting and unseen crime, and its physical and mental effects on women so it needs to be a somewhat feminine sensitive colour due to the nature of the issue. I also felt having a simple logo it would be more rememberable and stand out and make an impression in marches etc. Due to the serious nature of my topic, I need to tackle it appropriately, making sure I am sensitive, considerate and tasteful with my work.

I am going to have two logos for my campaign, the main logo being a pink circle. The concept behind the other logo is that it is meant to be a rose. Seeking symbolic meaning of the rose from an esoteric perspective, I looked at the Tarot, in which the rose is considered a symbol of balance. Here the beauty of the rose expresses promise, new beginnings and hope. This I can relate to my campaign, a new beginning, no to slavery and hope. Another perhaps more obvious concept, is that stereotypically men give roses to women as a sign of love and affection. 

I have my negatives of the logo and my tote bags ready to screen print. 

Final Logos

 

OUGD505: Product Range and Distrubution/Initial Ideas

We Are Human Beings campaign: 

• Poster Series
• Website
• Publication 
• Leaflet 
• Badges 
• Tote Bags 
• Wristbands
• Stickers

I had the idea about the logo being a pink circle to represent unity and putting a full stop on trafficking and raise awareness about trafficking happening in the UK. I do have some worries about using the colour pink as it can be seen as girly-ish. However, this is a campaign about raising awareness about trafficking, a disgusting and unseen crime, and its physical and mental effects on women so it needs to be a somewhat feminine sensitive colour due to the nature of the issue. In colour psychology, pink is a sign of hope and compassion. I think by having a simple yet really recognisable logo it will make the word spread quicker and perhaps make things go viral. On social media people could change their profile picture to the logo, for trafficking awareness week?! an idea I need to revisit. 

I have ordered some cotton tote bags, the plan is to screen-print the logo (once I have one!) on to the bags as well as this my housemate and I have ordered a badge machine! haha. The idea is that these tote bags and badges will be sold on the website and profits go towards the cause. 

I want to create a small publication on trafficking in the UK to raise awareness and educate people about human trafficking. The tone of voice will be formal and easy to understand. I seriously need to consider who the audience is for these publications and where they be seen and displayed in order to raise awareness, perhaps by creating a theoretical event? 

I have a lot of things to take into consideration, and due to the serious nature of my topic, I need to tackle it appropriately, making sure I am sensitive, considerate and tasteful with my work. Over the coming week its just a matter of compiling all my research into my design practice, a challenge I am looking forwards to! 

OUGD505: We are Humans Campaign

I thought of calling my trafficking awareness campaign, we are humans with the idea that I could use the campaign name 'we are humans' but ending it differently, for example:

We are humans... not objects
We are humans...not for sale
We are humans...not toys
etc.

This could work across across a poster series. I will present the idea in a crit for feedback.

OUGD505: Statement of Intent

OUGD505 Statement of Intent

Problem I aim to resolve: There are an estimated 35.8 million people enslaved in the world, it is the worlds fastest growing crime. Every 30 seconds, another person becomes a victim of human trafficking.

Aim: My aim is to raise awareness about trafficking in the uk as well as worldwide.

Research so far: My research so far started with researching into existing campaigns and charities indepth. I've been researching the shocking statistics, keeping up to date with trafficking in the news as well as watching documentaries.

Time scale: Final submission for this brief is on Friday 22nd May. I have already booked myself in for a printing slot on the 20th May.

Avenues for practical development: I am going to create a campaign which will include; poster (series), Badges, wristbands, tote bags, leaflets, and a publication (explaining the facts).

Plan of action: My plan is to create my own trafficking campaign, the idea at the moment is calling it 'we are human' with the use bold type with shocking statistics to get the uk public aware. 

Week 1: Finalise any research and sketch out ideas for the campaign
Week 2: Experimentation
Week 3: Design
Week 4: Finalise Campaign, design boards, blog up-to-date
Week 5: Print slot booked for campaign material printed ready for hand in and photographed.

OUGD505: Product Range Distribution: Trafficking UK Stats

General Stats

• There are an estimated 35.8 million people enslaved in the world. (The Global Slavery Index 2014)
• There are an estimated 20.9 million people that are victims of forced labor. (ILO)
• There are more people in slavery today than at any other time in history. (Polaris)
• It is difficult to know an exact number of people enslaved, as victims are often hidden. Whether they be locked in a house or business, or hidden in plain view, “disguised” as farm workers, prostitutes, or house keepers, modern day slaves are not always easy to identify.
• Every 30 seconds, another person becomes a victim of human trafficking. (UN.GIFT)

UK Trafficking Statistics 

http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/sep/30/thousands-trafficked-uk-slavery-police-report
It’s a growing issue, affecting men, women and children.1,746 CASES REPORTED in the UK in 2013 - a 47% increase on the number of cases reported in 2012**. But these are just the victims we know about. Slavery’s hidden nature means actual numbers are likely to be far, far higher.

There were 549 estimated cases of potentially trafficked children in 2012, though it is thought that this number is likely to be far higher due to the hidden nature of this crime. Statistics show that girls are more likely to be trafficked than boys and that children are most commonly trafficked from South East Asia, West Africa and Eastern Europe.

Statistics released by the National Crime Agency (NCA) show the number of potential victims of trafficking last year increased by 22% on 2012, rising to 2,744 people from more than 86 countries, of whom 602 were children.

Of all known victims of labour trafficking, 78% were European Economic Area nationals legally working in the UK.

There has been a significant rise in the number of UK victims. British people made up 7% of the overall trafficking figures last year, up from 4% in 2012. Nearly 90% of UK children identified as potential victims of trafficking by the NCA had been sexually exploited, an increase of 250% on 2012.

The NCA admitted that people who were trafficked into the UK for criminal exploitation, such as being forced to work in cannabis factories or begging gangs, were still seen as criminals rather than victims in some cases.

The report indicated that some victims had been sold on several times after entering the UK, for amounts ranging from £200-6,000. Nigerian traffickers, who arrange for documentation and travel for women who believe they are coming to the UK for legitimate work, are demanding up to £50,000 from their victims, who are forced into prostitution to pay off their debts.

“Modern slavery is an appalling crime that has no place in today’s society,” Karen Bradley, the modern slavery and organised crime minister, said. “Yet these figures show that it is taking place here – often out of sight – in shops, fields, building sites and behind the curtains of houses on ordinary streets.”

OUGD505: Research/Modern Day Slavery

Modern Slavery is an international crime, affecting an estimated 29.8 million slaves around the world**. It is a global problem that transcends age, gender and ethnicities, including here in the UK and it’s important that we bring this hidden crime into the open.

It can include victims that have been brought from overseas, and vulnerable people in the UK, being forced to illegally work against their will in many different sectors, including brothels, cannabis farms, nail bars and agriculture.

Victims found in the UK come from many different countries, including Romania, Albania, Nigeria, Vietnam and the UK itself, 90 were UK nationals in 2013.

Poverty, limited opportunities at home, lack of education, unstable social and political conditions, economic imbalances and war are some of the key drivers that contribute to trafficking of victims. What’s more victims can often face more than one type of abuse and slavery, for example if they are sold to another trafficker and then forced into another form of exploitation.

This is an incredible advert that really makes trafficking a reality that happens in the UK. It’s a hidden crime that has a terrible impact on the lives of vulnerable children, women and men across the country. Slaves have been exploited in many sectors including agriculture, factory work, food processing, prostitution, cleaning and child care.

OUGD505: Product Range Distribution/News

'I was trafficked into UK prostitution'

Nearly 800 women and girls working in the sex trade were identified as the victims of human trafficking last year, according to National Crime Agency figures seen by the Victoria Derbyshire programme.

OUGD505: Crit Feedback

Comments on research to date: 

• Sex trafficking shocking statistics look at other areas of trafficking
• Tackling a very serious but important issue. Have clearly looked into the variety of types of human trafficking - bring awareness to others about the scale as to what is happening and in what ways.

Areas for improvement:

• Find how more people can relate
• Make it personal, bring it to reality. Look at 'slavery is closer than you think' 

Areas for further development: 

• Find target audience - what would you are producing be used for? focus on incidents in the UK. 
• Compare to slavery - modern day form - how will you communicate this - make it more personal - speak on a personal level - think about format - delivery
• Branding the people behind the trafficking. Create a campaign to widen the exposure of the issue and get people on board to support. 
• expose and research British trafficking- find personal stories. Teach and raise awareness just how bad and how often is happens. 

Today's crit feedback was incredibly useful and I gained some great feedback. A point that was brought up was making the campaign UK based to expose British trafficking and raise awareness on how bad and how often it happens.

Study Task 01: Product Range and Distribution: Appropriating Subversion

"Sniffin' Glue was not so much badly written as barely written; grammar was non-existent, layout was haphazard, headlines were usually just written in felt tip, swearwords were often used in lieu of a reasoned argument...all of which gave Sniffin' Glue its urgency and relevance"

Sniffin' Glue is the name of a monthly punk zine started by Mark Perry in July 1976 and released for about a year. The name is derived from a Ramones song "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue." Others that wrote for the magazine that later became well known journalists include Danny Baker. Although initial issues only sold 50 copies, circulation soon increased to 15,000. The innovative appeal of Sniffin' Glue was its immediacy. The early days of the punk movement largely failed to attract the attention of television or the mainstream press, and Sniffin' Glue remains a key source of photographs of, and information about, contributors to the scene.

This mornings seminar was all about artists that create work using artists work but creating it in a different way. Our task then was to create something using newspapers and magazines. The collages below are related to my topic of human trafficking. I wanted to create a shock factor. 

I scanned this into photoshop deleted the background and made it black, this increases the contrasts and produces a more powerful message. 

The use of ransom writing, makes it anonymous much like the industry you don't know who's behind it. As its been scanned in, it has a grubby feel which emphasises the disgusting crime.  

Product Range Distribution: New law on sale of sex 'could cut human trafficking'

"Sex trafficking does not just exist because its victims are vulnerable - it exists because there is a demand for commercial sex that traffickers can exploit and profit from”

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-31154896

I found an article on BBC News. 

A call has been made for the purchase of sex to be made illegal. Churches and other religious organisations have written to the first minister saying doing so could have a significant effect on human trafficking and exploitation.They said sex trafficking is a form of modern slavery which is a crime against humanity.But their letter claimed it exists because of a demand for commercial sex which is exploited and profited from. The Northern Ireland Assembly voted in December 2014 to criminalise the purchase of sexual services.

Nordic Model

It joined a group of countries who have followed a Swedish law, passed in 1999, known as the Nordic model which is claimed to have been successful in reducing levels of human trafficking and exploitation involved in prostitution.

The letter was written by Prof Hazel Watson, convener of the Scottish Churches' anti-human trafficking group, and signed by senior figures from a variety of other faith groups, including Muslims and Sikhs.Prof Watson praised the Scottish government for introducing the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Bill. Below are some quotes Prof Hazel Watson stated which I found particularly powerful from the article. 

"It would be good to see Scotland incorporating the Nordic model, with a funding package supporting women to leave prostitution, into its anti-trafficking legislation.

"The Nordic model effectively curbs demand and consequently reduces the trafficking for sexual exploitation into the countries that adopt it."

"A lot of these girls are in it because they've got addictions, they're living in poverty and it's the only way they can see to feed habits or to get drink or to pay the electric bill."

My opinion: If the Nordic model works effectively why not incorporate it and support these women. 

OUGD505: Nordic model

Whilst researching my topic of trafficking, I kept reading about the Nordic Model. The Nordic model is an effective approach to preventing trafficking and exploitation a human rights and gender equality-based approach also known as the ‘Swedish model’. This set of laws and policies penalises the demand for commercial sex while decriminalising individuals in prostitution and providing them with support services, including help for those who wish to exit prostitution. 

The Nordic model has two main goals: to curb the demand for commercial sex that fuels sex trafficking, and promote equality between men and women. It is based on an approach first adopted in Sweden in 1999, and followed by Norway and Iceland.

Curbing the demand for sex trafficking

Sex trafficking does not just exist because its victims are vulnerable - it exists because there is a demand for commercial sex that traffickers can exploit and profit from. Thus, addressing the demand for commercial sex is a key component of any plan to prevent sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. Men who buy sex and thereby create the demand that fuels trafficking have stated that greater criminal penalties, having their name publicised and having a letter sent home stating that they were arrested for buying sex would deter them from buying sex.

3 of the 4 countries with the highest level of gender equality have adopted the Nordic model as a way to combat sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Promoting Gender Equality

Women and girls who are trafficked and exploited to satisfy the demand for commercial sex are treated as commodities to be bought, sold, exploited and abused. An estimated 98% of sex trafficking victims are women and girls  and the vast majority of commercial sex “buyers” are men. Buyers often have specific preferences regarding the women and girls they buy - including “young” or “fresh” girls, specific races/ethnicities, and body shapes and sizes – but most importantly, they want on-demand sexual access to a diverse supply of women and girls.

Exploitation of women and girls in the commercial sex industry is both a cause and consequence of gender and other inequalities. It entails numerous human rights violations, including of the right to equality and non-discrimination, dignity, health and to be free from violence, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment. It perpetuates the idea that it’s acceptable to buy women’s and girls’ bodies as long as a buyer can pay for it. The Nordic model challenges this construct and tries to redress these inequalities by promoting women’s and girls’ right to safety, health and nondiscrimination, and by challenging men’s perceived – but nonexistent – “right” to buy women’s bodies for sex. Unsurprisingly, 3 of the top 4 countries with the highest level of gender equality have adopted the Nordic model.

Sweden has become an undesirable destination for sex traffickers.

Sweden- pioneering a new approach

In 1999, as part of a Violence Against Women bill, Sweden passed a law that criminalised buyers of sex while keeping the person who sold or was sold for sex decriminalised. Sweden understood that gender inequality and sexual exploitation, including sex trafficking, could not be combated effectively as long as it was considered acceptable to purchase access to another – often more vulnerable and disadvantaged – person’s body. Alongside this law, the Swedish government made a significant investment in exit programs for those who wish to leave prostitution and to provide comprehensive social services for victims of exploitation, which is essential for a victim-centered, human rights-based approach to combating trafficking. Since the introduction of the law, street prostitution has decreased (while increasing dramatically in Sweden’s neighbours) and Sweden has become an undesirable destination for pimps and traffickers. iv In addition, the new law has influenced attitudes regarding the purchase of sex: from 1996 (before the law) until 2008, the number of male sex buyers decreased from 13.6% to 7.9%.

However it is a growing movement. Several countries have followed Sweden’s example, and many more are considering this approach. Norway and Iceland passed similar laws in 2008 and 2009, respectively, Canada adopted a law in this spirit in 2014 , and a growing trend towards the approach is sweeping across Europe. In the last few years, Nordic-model style legislation has been discussed in the parliaments of France, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England and Wales. In early 2014, the parliaments of the European Union and the Council of Europe both adopted non-binding resolutions recommending member states to consider the Nordic Model. vii An increasing number of activists and organisations across the globe, many of which are survivor-led , including in countries such as South Africa, India, Germany, New Zealand and the U.S., are calling for lawmakers to recognise the realities of prostitution and to enact the Nordic model.

OUGD505: The Candy Shop

Helen suggested to watch short film, The Candy Shop, a film which initiative is to help fight against child sex trafficking. The film is being made for the Doorpost Film Project, and with support from 12Stone Church and Street Grace. The Candy Shop is a Fairytale/Parable about the child sex trafficking epidemic that has overrun the city of Atlanta. They are using the film to not only raise awareness but provoke meaningful action towards this issue taking place in our own backyard.

Up to 500 underaged girls a month are trafficked for sex in the city of Atlanta. It’s the number one city in the country for child sex trafficking.. The 10th in the world.

This film represents the spearhead of a citywide and possibly a nationwide campaign.
It is not a documentary. It is not a PSA. It is the beginning of a movement.

It was a wonderful and creative parallel film about a very sad, sinister, and greedy operation. I suppose some people could even watch this and not realise its on sex trafficking, girls turning into candy to be sold is a very powerful analogy, it takes away their identity. Its a good way of spreading awareness to this brutal reality. I particular like the fact that there was emphasis that this behaviour cant be stopped easily with the candy shop owner saying "Ill always be here"which is a horrible truth for now. I don't know how you could have such exquisite aesthetic taste in transmitting an idea of such horrendous theme.

Research into Existing Posters

I began by doing some initial research into existing posters on trafficking. I came across this project on behance called 'fractured fairytale' as many of the women trafficked are promised of brighter futures. I love the aesthetic of it, I only wish I had thought of this myself! It is a poster series based on the designers made up twisted fairytale of Peter Pan, the sex slave being in 'neverland'. I like the Jamie Reid-ness of it, looking at the ransom letter type. Its not obvious but I would say its hard-hitting. 

Below, the element of photography makes human trafficking seem a lot more real as well as a real life story. I think its a shocking poster and makes you feel very uncomfortable reading and looking at it. 

Another poster I found on Behance. I've noticed a lot of the posters for trafficking use black & white with the use of red type. The connotations of red being energy, passion, action, ambition and determination.

Another really nice campaign I found, the promotional zine called 'red thread movement' a nonprofit organisation that rescues people out of human trafficking in the country of Nepal, and raises money for refugees' education through fair trade of red bracelets handwoven by the rescued themselves.The zine's purpose is for awareness, as well as informative to the viewer of the entire organisation. It comes with a red thread bracelet, and a poster. I like this idea a lot, I want to do something similar but not copying it could be an issue, but I would like to have wrist bands, badges, tote bags etc. 

Poster design for the 'Anti-Human Trafficking Network' based in Bangalore.

Another project I found on Behance, it is the brand identity for Innocence Atlanta, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to ending child sex trafficking. I quite like seeing the colour pink instead of red, I understand pink is a stereotypical 'girl colour' but here I think it really works and is very effective. I also really like the statement, 'His Fantasy.Her Future' and 'My voice. Her future' its matter of fact and work and most importantly bold and rememberable.  

I found a lot of stuff like this below, 'give her identity back' 

Disobedient Objects

Over the weekend as a course we visited Disobedient Objects an exhibition examining the powerful role of objects in movements for social change. It demonstrates how political activism drives a wealth of design ingenuity and collective creativity that defy standard definitions of art and design. For someone, who isn't a massive fan of exhibitions (the pretence, the air etc) I found the exhibition actually enjoyable and very engrossing. Seeing the banners, and badges up close, rather than seeing them in photographs in the media made it a lot more real.  

I felt inspired by the possible outcomes I could have for this brief, such as stickers, banners, tote bags, badges etc. Overall, the exhibition was useful and very relevant and I enjoyed my time in London. 

Trafficking Campaigns

I have begun looking at existing trafficking campaigns across the world which help survivors and at-risk communities. 

1. Not For Sale -http://notforsalecampaign.org/

To break the cycle of exploitation, Not For Sale provides survivors and at-risk communities with shelter, healthcare, and legal services, first attending to the most basic needs of individuals who have suffered extreme trauma. We are dedicated to addressing the profound and enduring effects of violence and exploitation. Only once their physical and emotional wellbeing is established can we begin to work together toward long-term opportunities for education and employment.

2. theTrade Foundation https://www.supportthetrade.org/?gclid=COzXv7bIxcMCFQ7KtAodNn8AJw

The Trade Foundation exists to fight global sexual slavery and exploitation by teaching women how to cut & style hair. This training establishes micro economies, which allow women to leave behind lives of prostitution, abuse, and extreme poverty. The social and economic impact is absolutely life changing as they develop a new set of skills as well as the sense of dignity and self respect that comes with them. In addition to hair & make-up instruction, we train our students how to run a small business and add value to their surrounding communities.

3. Stop The Traffik http://www.stopthetraffik.org/

"We are a global movement of activists around the world who passionately give their time and energy to build resilient communities and prevent human trafficking. We are a campaigning organisation that seeks to build a traffik-free world!"

We prevent trafficking by:

• Equipping people to understand what trafficking is, how it affects them and what they can do about it. We gather and analyse information from communities about how and where trafficking is happening.
• Campaigning for change!
• Building a global movement
• Individuals, communities, organisations, front-line professionals, faith groups, businesses, schools and charities are all part of STOP THE TRAFFIK.

4. American Himalayan Foundations http://www.himalayan-foundation.org/

Stop Girl Trafficking - The problem is huge. Every year, as many as 20,000 girls from the poorest parts of Nepal are trafficked – lured by the false promises of traffickers. These girls, some as young as nine, end up in Indian brothels or as domestic servants in countries as far away as the Middle East. In either case, they’re slaves. Many are HIV positive within two years, and dead before they reach twenty.

Their approach: The way we combat this modern-day slavery is revolutionary – and surprisingly effective …We go to the source, into the villages where girls are at risk, and put those girls into school. We counsel them and their families about the dangers of trafficking. By keeping at-risk girls in school and living at home, they are less vulnerable to being sold or lured by promises of jobs, only to find themselves in brothels or trapped as slaves in households. For a small investment – $100 pays for everything: school fees, books, school uniforms, tutoring – we can keep a girl safe for whole year. Persuading families to educate their daughters was slow going at first, but 10,000 girls later – without one being lost – the idea is gaining traction.

Human/Sex Trafficking Statistics

I want to know some statistics on Human and Sex trafficking so I have an idea of the number and scale of humans being trafficked. I found the statistics really shocking: 

Human Trafficking is the world’s fastest growing global crime - (Due to the hidden and illegal nature of human trafficking, gathering statistics on the scale of the problem is difficult. The following statistics may represent an underestimation, but are the most credible and frequently quoted)

1.2 million children are trafficked every year— Estimate by UNICEF

Human trafficking is the second largest source of illegal income worldwide exceeded only by drugs trafficking.

600,000-800,000 men, women and children are trafficked across international borders each year. Approximately 80 per cent are women and girls. Up to 50% are minors.— US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2007

At least 20.9 million people are victims of forced labour worldwide. While it is difficult to establish a precise amount, conservative 2012 research estimated trafficking victims as comprising some 44 per cent of this figure. —ILO 2012 Global Estimate of Forced Labour

There are even reports that some trafficking groups are switching their cargo from drugs to human beings, in a search of high profits at lower risk. — The UN Office on Drugs and Crime

The majority of trafficked victims arguably come from the poorest countries and poorest strata of the national population.— A global alliance against forced labor, International Labor Organisation, 2005

1 million – Number of children exploited by the global commercial sex trade, every year. Source: U.S. Department of State, The Facts About Child Sex Tourism: 2005.

50% – Percent of transnational victims who are children. Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Report to Congress from Attorney General John Ashcroft on

80% – Percent of transnational victims who are women and girls. Source: U.S. Department of State, Trafficking in Persons Report: 2007.

70% – Percent of female victims who are trafficked into the commercial sex industry. This means that 30% of female victims are victims of forced labor.

161 Countries identified as affected by human trafficking: 127 countries of origin; 98 transit countries; 137 destination countries.

12-14 – Average age of entry into prostitution. 

Every 30 seconds, another person becomes a victim of human trafficking.

Chosen Topic: Human Right Campaign//Sex Trafficking

For this project I have decided to do a human rights campaign in particular focussing on sex trafficking, I feel this is something I am interested in finding out about as well as passionately against the exploitation of women. My current and past COP essays have been largely focussed on misogyny and women in advertising/exploitation of women/feminine ideals etc. Also, I have always swayed to doing rather 'wooly' topics and have never done a project on something really hard hitting before so hopefully this will be a challenge. I've set myself some questions... 

UN Definition of Human Trafficking: 

"The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation"

What is human trafficking?
A $32 billion annual industry, modern day trafficking is a type of slavery that involves the transport or trade of people for the purpose of work. According to the U.N., about 2.5 million people around the world are ensnared in the web of human trafficking at any given time.
Human trafficking impacts people of all backgrounds, and people are trafficked for a variety of purposes. Men are often trafficked into hard labor jobs, while children are trafficked into labor positions in textile, agriculture and fishing industries. Women and girls are typically trafficked into the commercial sex industry, i.e. prostitution or other forms of sexual exploitation.

Not all slaves are trafficked, but all trafficking victims are victims of slavery. Human trafficking is a particularly cruel type of slavery because it removes the victim from all that is familiar to her, rendering her completely isolated and alone, often unable to speak the language of her captors or fellow victims.

What is sex slavery/trafficking? 

Sex trafficking or slavery is the exploitation of women and children, within national or across international borders, for the purposes of forced sex work. Commercial sexual exploitation includes pornography, prostitution and sex trafficking of women and girls, and is characterised by the exploitation of a human being in exchange for goods or money. Each year, an estimated 800,000 women and children are trafficked across international borders—though additional numbers of women and girls are trafficked within countries.

Some sex trafficking is highly visible, such as street prostitution. But many trafficking victims remain unseen, operating out of unmarked brothels in unsuspecting—and sometimes suburban—neighbourhoods. Sex traffickers may also operate out of a variety of public and private locations, such as massage parlours, spas and strip clubs.

Adult women make up the largest group of sex trafficking victims, followed by girl children, although a small percentage of men and boys are trafficked into the sex industry as well.

Human trafficking migration patterns tend to flow from East to West, but women may be trafficked from any country to another country at any given time and trafficking victims exist everywhere. Many of the poorest and most unstable countries have the highest incidences of human trafficking, and extreme poverty is a common bond among trafficking victims. Where economic alternatives do not exist, women and girls are more vulnerable to being tricked and coerced into sexual servitude. Increased unemployment and the loss of job security have undermined women's incomes and economic position. A stalled gender wage gap, as well as an increase in women's part-time and informal sector work, push women into poorly-paid jobs and long-term and hidden unemployment, which leaves women vulnerable to sex traffickers.

Who traffics women and girls? 

Organised crime is largely responsible for the spread of international human trafficking. Sex trafficking—along with its correlative elements, kidnapping, rape, prostitution and physical abuse—is illegal in nearly every country in the world. However, widespread corruption and greed make it possible for sex trafficking to quickly and easily proliferate. Though national and international institutions may attempt to regulate and enforce anti-trafficking legislation, local governments and police forces may in fact be participating in sex trafficking rings.

One overriding factor in the proliferation of trafficking is the fundamental belief that the lives of women and girls are expendable. In societies where women and girls are undervalued or not valued at all, women are at greater risk for being abused, trafficked, and coerced into sex slavery. If women experienced improved economic and social status, trafficking would in large part be eradicated.

How are women trafficked? 

Women and girls are ensnared in sex trafficking in a variety of ways. Some are lured with offers of legitimate and legal work as shop assistants or waitresses. Others are promised marriage, educational opportunities and a better life. Still others are sold into trafficking by boyfriends, friends, neighbours or even parents.

Typically, once in the custody of traffickers, a victim's passport and official papers are confiscated and held. Victims are told they are in the destination country illegally, which increases victims' dependence on their traffickers. Victims are often kept in captivity and also trapped into debt bondage, whereby they are obliged to pay back large recruitment and transportation fees before being released from their traffickers. Many victims report being charged additional fines or fees while under bondage, requiring them to work longer to pay off their debts.

Often, before servicing clients, women are forcibly raped by the traffickers themselves, in order to initiate the cycle of abuse and degradation. Some women are drugged in order to prevent them from escaping. Once “broken in,” sex trafficked victims can service up to 30 men a day, and are vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infection and unwanted pregnancy.

Who purchases trafficked women and girls?

Many believe that sex trafficking is something that occurs “somewhere else.” However, many of the biggest trafficking consumers are developed nations, and men from all sectors of society support the trafficking industry. There is no one profile that encapsulates the “typical” client. Rather, men who purchase trafficked women are both rich and poor, Eastern and Western. Many are married and have children, and in some cases, as was reported in one New York Times article, men have sex with trafficked girls in lieu of abusing their own young children.

What is the impact of sex trafficking?
Trafficking has a harrowing effect on the mental, emotional and physical well being of the women and girls ensnared in its web. Beyond the physical abuse, trafficked women suffer extreme emotional stress, including shame, grief, fear, distrust and suicidal thoughts. Victims often experience post-traumatic stress disorder, and with that, acute anxiety, depression and insomnia. Many victims turn to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain.

Sex trafficking promotes societal breakdown by removing women and girls from their families and communities. Trafficking fuels organised crime groups that usually participate in many other illegal activities, including drug and weapons trafficking and money laundering. It negatively impacts local and national labor markets, due to the loss of human resources. Sex trafficking burdens public health systems. And trafficking erodes government authority, encourages widespread corruption, and threatens the security of vulnerable populations.

My Thoughts:

After reading through some initial information on sex trafficking, it upset me greatly as I had no idea it was as bad as it was, I felt incredibly moved and upset by what these women go through. What I found the worst was the fact these women were sold by their own families and partners and were promised of a brighter future. Its a terrible and disgusting crime that needs to stop.

For further research I want to look at statistics, campaigns and charities out there as well as   reading into some sex trafficking stories. I think this is a cause I am very passionate about, and look forward to moving this project further.