Ever wanted to make a change in the world but had way too much on your plate? Being a mom takes a lot of time and energy, and sometimes, we are running on empty and we miss out on a lot of opportunities. It’s hard to be a part of changing something so big, like human trafficking, with so little left to give.
What if I told you you could make a huge difference and all you needed was your own closet?
When I was a paramedic, I struggled with what I was exposed to. I had heard the term “sex trafficking” and “modern-day slavery” before. I had drawn a red “x” on my hand for the End It Movement. But like many people, I never did the research and I didn’t understand what human trafficking really was. However, one day, my partner and I were specifically asked to respond to a call outside our boundary. We were the closest female crew and were asked to come in for a sensitive case. I was exposed to human trafficking firsthand. That night changed everything for me. And it led me to discover Dressember.
According to the International Labour Organization, human trafficking is a $150 billion dollar industry.
Dressember is an organization that equips people to start conversations and spread awareness of human trafficking. It is also an avenue for people to raise money for many organizations working toward ending human trafficking by rescuing victims and serving them after rescue. Above all, it aims to bring an end to modern slavery in our lifetime.
Can a Dress Change the World?
The fundraising runs off one simple thing: a dress. For the month of December, advocates commit to wearing a dress (or tie) every single day during the month of December. Through free resources and guides, advocates can share facts and statistics with their online community. Wearing a dress in arguably the coldest month of the year starts conversations in the workplace and even the check-out line at Target. In addition, advocates can share their campaigns online to collect funds for organizations around the world.
Get Involved in Ending Human Trafficking
And that’s it. Wear a dress, share a mirror outfit pic, and share with your community. Advocates have worn one dress all month, a new dress every day, or ties on days they need to be in jeans. If you want to join the movement or donate, Dressember can be done from home. It takes a small time commitment for busy moms with a love of clothes to change the world, and I encourage you to consider joining the movement this year.
Learn more about human trafficking in our own backyards and across the world. Check out the New Mexico Dream Center, a local organization seeking to end human trafficking in Albuquerque and build the first residential treatment facility in New Mexico for underage survivors of trafficking. Involve your family and help create a better world for our children.
Originally published November 2021.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ABQ Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
