Last Saturday was iSanctuary’s 9/10 event at the Sawdust Festival raising awareness for one of the fastest growing pandemics of our time: human trafficking. In total, there were over 500 people in attendance including vendors, partnered organizations, volunteers, supporters, and even a couple of local bands. Below is the follow up interview we had with cofounder Windy Hicks.
Was there a big turnout for your event?
We were thrilled with how many people came out from different organizations, which was exactly our goal. Our strategy is to build a more collaborative way in which we tackle the issue of human trafficking. We passionately believe that the best hope for defeating human trafficking is through the cooperative efforts of anti-trafficking entities, organizations, and individuals.
In what way do you think the 9/10 event has made an impact on this issue?
I would say it was definitely a venue purposed to foster a collaborative effort in the fight against trafficking. It was the first step in paving the way to develop future partnerships in anti-trafficking efforts from both the private and the public sectors. We wanted to make clear that there are tangible things the public can do to stop human trafficking. This ranges from purchasing products that meet ethical standards to reporting suspicions of trafficking on the national hotline [1-888-3737-888].
Can you explain a little more in depth iSanctuary’s strategy with respect to the supply and demand of human trafficking?
Where there is demand, there will be supply. Human trafficking is only supplied to the point at which it is demanded. There is virtually no one who actually wants to support the trafficking and slavery of other people, but by purchasing services and goods that are produced by trafficking, demand for it is an unintended consequence. Our goal is to educate the average consumer about the kinds of products and companies that utilize trafficking. By creating awareness, it is our hope that demand for such products will decrease resulting in a decrease of the supply of slavery and forced labor.
What kind of positive feedback have you received from the 9/10 event?
People just loved the bands, the food, and the Foto Cabina Photo Booth! Personally, the most rewarding compliment that was shared was how this event wasn’t a clichéd fundraiser. We were very intentional with the other nonprofits to create an atmosphere of social enterprise. In other words, instead of asking for donations, we were purposeful about providing competing products to sell in the place of products produced through forced labor. That way, we weren’t just receiving donations, but participating in a mutually beneficial exchange.
What was the most important thing that you personally took away from the event? Was there anything in specific that was inspiring or hopeful?
The most inspiring aspect of the entire event was the opportunity for local survivors of trafficking to take part in an event that advocates fighting for the cause without being labeled, victimized, or pitied. We were intentional on what materials were used from the documentaries presented to the informational awareness pieces displayed. We were looking at it from the eyes of survivors and keenly aware that there would be women in attendance who have been trafficked.
Did you hear any of the feedback from the Foto Cabina Photo Booth?
Yes! What we appreciated most about the photo booth was that it provided a silly and fun outlet to the sobering education of human trafficking. Thank you so much for all that Foto Cabina has done to help make the iSanctuary 9/10 event such a success!
Thank you to iSanctuary for all of the inspiring work that you have done on this issue. For more information visit Fair Trade USA for slavery free products as well as iSanctuary.org to find out how you can get more involved. With your help, we can ensure a sense of freedom and hope for millions of women around the globe!
