Upcoming Event: Getting to the Root

It has been wonderful to hear the ways the SOLD Intern blog is impacting people. Thank you for sending emails of support and sharing stories when you see us around campus or community.

The SOLD Interns are shifting into phase II of our internship. The past few months have been a time of studying, dialoging and educating ourselves on the issue of child prostitution. We’ve also spent time reading up on The SOLD Project's mission, philosophy and programs. Armed with knowledge and passion, we will now begin hosting various educational events in our respective cities.

We encourage you to check back often to see what’s happening in your area!

The following is a Facebook announcement re-post:

The STOP Human Trafficking Club will be screening two documentaries that give a voice to the voiceless. Both documentaries address the root causes of trafficking and the approach of two different organizations in preventing vulnerable target populations from becoming victims to trafficking. Two students who worked with the organizations over this past summer will also facilitate a short discussion afterward and answer any questions.

When: Monday, November 16

Where: Morse B-104

(Monterey Institute of International Studies)

City: Monterey, CA

Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm

The SOLD Project Documentary: Thailand (www.thesoldproject.com)
In the summer of 2007, The SOLD Project journeyed through Thailand with a common mission: to expose the plight of children trapped by prostitution. The documentary is a collection of short films that expose the truth behind child prostitution in Thailand and the hope that exists in prevention.

"Sisters of the Himalaya" by Empowering Women in Nepal
The organization works to empower disadvantaged women (mostly from rural areas of Nepal) by training them to be trekking guides and providing them work opportunities after the training. The ice-climbing training is an advanced training for those who are already working as guides, mostly as a leadership, empowerment exercise.

For more information on this event contact: Brandon Brunner, Brandon.brunner@miis.edu

Matching Grant Update

Thank You! Thank You!! Thank You!!!

Because of YOUR generous response to the matching grant challenge The SOLD Project has raised close to $10,000! The money received will enable SOLD to expand operational and program activities in Thailand through the building of a drop-in center.

The center will be used to hold after-school activities for students, to build relationships with local families enabling SOLD to be a resource for them, to house long-term volunteers, and serve as our Thai headquarters by including staff offices.

The realization of this facility will greatly increase SOLD’s ability to reach more families, serve the community, and prevent more children from ending up in a lifestyle of prostitution.

Your generosity has made this possible. We thank you!

To learn more visit The SOLD Project or view the Matching Grant announcement.

October Call to Action: Help Stop Known Sex Offenders from Harming Children Overseas

One of the reasons sexual exploitation of children flourishes in the open is due to a lack of legal enforcement of this crime. Many countries, Thailand included, have yet to create, implement and enforce laws that protect children from sex predators. A recent article published by Time, “A Move to Register Sex Offenders Globally,” spoke to this concern.

In the article, author Deena Guzder advocates supporting a bill on the House floor, H.R. 1623, also known as “International Megan’s Law.” If passed, H.R. 1623 will establish communication between international governments and legal bodies to ensure known sex offenders do not harm children overseas. According to Bill sponsor, N.J. Representative, Chris Smith, H.R. 1623 will “alert officials abroad when U.S. sex offenders intend to travel and would encourage other countries to keep sex offender lists and notify American officials about offenders’ U.S. travel plans.”

Lacking legal precedence for the arrest and conviction of the sexual abuse of minors, child sex predators and pedophiles boldly exploit children overseas because they know there are no legal consequences. The passing of H.R. 1623 will change this. One of the key objectives is to create an international sex offender list. Should a known American pedophile commit a sexual act against a minor child in Cambodia, Thailand, Russia, Australia, (etc.) that person can be arrested and tried for their crime(s).

The passing of H.R. 1623 is a key step to establishing a force-able zero-tolerance law against the sexual exploitation of children worldwide. Says Smith, “The buyers of commercial sex must be sensitized to the harm they cause women and girls and to the fact their money fuels modern-day slavery.”

H.R. 1623, “International Megan’s Law,” is set to appear before the House floor (again) this month, October 2009. We, SOLD Interns, are asking you to get involved. Two simple steps is all it takes to express your desire to see children protected around the world and perpetrators of child abuse brought to justice.

We are asking you to contact your House Representative and encourage them to support the passing of H.R. 1623.

Below is a template you can use via email or voicemail:

Dear Representative (Name):

As a constituent in the state of (your state), I am very concerned about the

sexual exploitation of children globally at the hands of known sex offenders. I strongly encourage you to pass H.R. 1623, “International Megan’s Law,” which will create an international sex offender list and foster international communication and cooperation in preventing known sex offenders from harming children overseas.

Thank You,

(your name)

(your city, state)

We thank you for your support and willingness to get involved.

~Susan Tripi DeLano