Since when does a producer of beauty products run a campaign asking a government to improve their policies on care for child trafficking victims? Since The Body Shop decided it was going to be much more than just another corporate donor to a worthy cause. The company's growing role in the anti-trafficking movement is taking on a new dimension: political activism on behalf of trafficked children.
In partnership with child protection organization ECPAT UK, The Body Shop has launched a three year campaign to combat child trafficking. In July 2010, the two groups created a petition calling for the U.K. government to introduce a system of guardianship for child victims of trafficking. Currently, there is no national system in the U.K. which regulates who cares for trafficked children. This gap has meant some trafficked children have been deported to war zones, some have been re-trafficked, and others have simply been lost. A system of guardianship would change that, and ensure every trafficked child would have a guardian who would have parental responsibility and provide care and support; ensure the child receives the educational, medical, practical and legal support they need to help rebuild their lives; and protect each child and prevent them from facing further exploitation or harm from their traffickers.
But guardianship is only one of many demands ECPAT and The Body Shop are making. They're also asking for special police units, prevention projects, and increased awareness, among other things. And so far, they have already collected nearly 4 million signatures asking the government to tack action. That's a pretty active role for a private company to take in a social movement, and a hopeful indication of the growing trend of public-private partnerships in the anti-trafficking movement.
As if their activism weren't enough, The Body Shop is also funding anti-trafficking initiatives from the sales of their Soft Hands, Kind Heart hand cream. A portion of the sales go to support human trafficking survivors and ECPAT's programs around the world.
The Body Shop is a fantastic example of a company not just supporting the eradication of child sex trafficking by donating money or products, but actually using their clout and contacts to create tangible change on the legislative level. You can add your name to the millions who have already spoken out here. And when you're shopping for beauty products this holiday season, remember The Body Shop puts their mouth where their money is.
Photo credit: Loren Javiar
Amanda Kloer is a Change.org Editor and has been a full-time abolitionist in several capacities for seven years. Follow her on Twitter @endhumantraffic
The Body Shop Petitions U.K. for Child Trafficking Victim Guardians | End Human Trafficking | Change.org
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