I have to give it to Marie Claire magazine. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably very cynical when it comes to fashion magazines, however, this one gave me an unexpected surprise. While waiting in the lobby of a building today, flipping through the pages to make the time go faster, I came face to face with my hero, Somaly Mam (you might remember an article I wrote on this outstanding woman, from a previous blog). The article focused on a survivor of sex-trafficking/slavery - her name is Sreypov. She was sold to a brothel at the age of 7. It’s a staggering account of one girls' life in a brothel ,and her eventual recovery (through the Somaly Mam Foundation). The article is covered by Abigail Pesta, and I encourage anyone reading this blog to click on the attached link to read the whole story. 
http://www.marieclaire.com/world-reports/news/international/diary-escaped-sex-slave
This is another reminder of the evil that exists amongst us, and the people facing this evil with courage, resolve and focus. Sreypov was one of millions victimized by forced prostitution. Today there are 12 million people enslaved by forced prostitution and labor across the world. I have to commend this magazine for publishing her story – as she states in the article “…if no one knows, nothing will change.” I’m encouraged that so many high profile people and media vehicles are waking up to this epidemic – Oprah, The Body Shop (worldwide), and now – Marie Claire magazine (to name a few). The more people that know of this heinous crime, the more pressure will be placed on the governments and the criminals who harbor the trafficking and enslavement of women and children. Just think…if every fashion magazine out there replaced just a few pages from their publication every month with accounts of survivors, how much faster could we gain momentum around a social movement to end sex trafficking/slavery?
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