Dressember #FancyFriday brings isolated advocates together

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought life across the world to a screeching halt. Events have been cancelled, businesses have closed their doors, and universities have sent students home for the remainder of the academic year. But there are industries that are turning an even greater profit as a result of the pandemic. Sadly, anti-trafficking organizations, such as the International Justice Mission and Dressember, have seen an increase in reports of human trafficking.

With the current unemployment rate in the United States reaching an estimated 13%, Americans are especially vulnerable to human trafficking. Survivors who have overcome human trafficking are at an increased risk of falling back into slavery due to job loss. Those who are practicing social distancing and self-isolation are more likely to turn to online pornography and cyber sex trafficking as "stay-at-home" orders pop up across the world. Because children are home from school due to closures, they are often unsupervised, and therefore, at a much greater risk of being trafficked. And those who frequently spot and report human trafficking, like bus drivers, are finding themselves furloughed as public transportation is reduced and school buses become unnecessary.

It can be difficult to follow stay-at-home orders when there are so many vulnerable populations in crisis, but Dressember has made it easy to advocate from home. The anti-trafficking organization has instituted #DressemberFancyFridays, an opportunity for anti-trafficking advocates from across the world to raise awareness by putting on their favorite dresses as they work from home. They've also created a Friday social hour where advocates can come together using an online teleconference program to brainstorm advocacy and fundraising ideas.

The #FancyFriday social hour allowed advocates to generate ideas for helping vulnerable populations.

During the Fancy Friday social hour, advocates and Dressember team members discussed potential ways to advocate for those who are most vulnerable due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dressember is currently directing all donations made between now and April 30th, as well as the profits from their Dressember Shop, to COVID-19 relief.

The social hour also served as a way for Dressember advocates to share positive stories and acts of kindness they've witnessed as a result of the pandemic. One advocate, Tania M., discussed a grassroots movement called "Show Up Now." The movement connects people who "want to help" with those who "need help." Through Show Up Now, users who need it can request help or prayers, and those who are willing can respond to those requests.

Dressember Fancy Fridays are a fun and creative way for advocates to stay socially connected in a time of extreme isolation. But more importantly, they're an opportunity for advocates to use their time at home to help raise awareness of human trafficking. The 31-Day Dressember style challenge may take place in December, but human trafficking never rests and neither does the Dressember Foundation. Advocacy is a 24/7 commitment, and when human trafficking spikes and people are more vulnerable than ever, Dressember is ready to reach out and step up their efforts.

If you would like to support Dressember's COVID-19 relief efforts, you can easily make a one-time donation on their website, or you can offer continuous anti-trafficking support when you pledge a monthly donation to Dressember.