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Dresses Donned for 40 days to Raise Awareness of Sex Trafficking

Students at Theodore Roosevelt wearing dresses for 40 days to raise money for victims of human trafficking

 

It may look like it, yet Ada Hurst and Marisa Polatas don't have a broken sense of fashion.

But you might develop that misperception if you saw these perky teenagers two days in a row.

The sophomores at Theodore Roosevelt High School are in the midst of a 42-day campaign to raise awareness of sex trafficking by wearing the same outfits during the entire 42-day period, which they started Jan. 30.

Polatas said she got the idea from her older sister, who took part in a campaign to heighten awareness of the criminal sex trafficking enterprise. And a friend took part in a similar awareness campaign that involved wearing the same dress for 30 days.

The girls chose to raise money for the organization Love 146, which works to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children through aftercare, prevention and research. The friends' goal is $1,000, and they've raised $400 so far.

Love 146 uses the money to build safe homes for sex victims in different parts of the world, train counselors and help reintegrate victims into society.

"Personally, I think it’s probably the most disgusting crime," Hurst said. "Not only is it slavery, which is totally wrong … the girls are getting raped on a daily basis. That’s what it is. Taking advantage of anybody in that way is just wrong.”

The issue of human trafficking has become an increasingly popular crime across the world and in Ohio. Hurst and Polatas attended a meeting at the Kent Free Library this week where Ohio State Reps. Kathleen Clyde and Teresa Fedor talked about efforts to curb the crime in Ohio.

The girls, both christians who attend Riverwood Community Chapel, said they view their campaign as a part of God's ministry.

"It’s our belief to go out and help others," Polatas said. "I know a lot of people don’t know about it and don’t think that slavery still exists."

Attendants at the high school's upcoming choir concert on March 8 at 7 p.m. will get the chance to donate to the cause. The girls also encourage people to donate directly to Love 146 on the group's website.

What if you can't donate?

"Prayers are always good," Hurst said. "This is just as much a spiritual journey, trying to help people. This is a form of worship for me, to worship God by helping others."

Related Topics: Human Trafficking, Love 146, and sex trafficking

Shannon McKee

10:17 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012

Thanks Ada and Marisa for taking step to help raise awareness about this important issue among your own peers. A dear friend of mine did a similar challenge (6 months!) that I wrote about on my blog: http://inamirrordimly.net/2011/02/one-dress-for-the-daughters-a-guest-post-2/. I include the link here only because it will link you back to her blog and you might be able to get some ideas and encouragement! She lives over in Bowling Green and got pretty creative with her little gray dress!!

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11:53 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012

The young women of today, free to study, to speak, to write, to choose their occupation, should remember that every inch of this freedom was bought for them at a great price. It is for them to show their gratitude by helping onward the reforms of their own times, by spreading the light of freedom and of truth still wider. The debt that each generation owes to the past it must pay to the future.
-- Abigail Duniway

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Andi Schrader

1:13 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012

I am proud of you two and happily have donated to your cause. I had NO idea that human trafficking was such a huge issue in Ohio. You have definitely been raising my awareness as well as other's I'm sure. ! This will be a significant chapter in your life journey. Way to go.

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Rick Hawksley

2:46 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012

Let me join in with words of encouragement also. I am very impressed with your maturity and willingness to speak out on this important and tragic issue. Let us pray that we can put a stop to this horrible crime here and abroad.

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11:41 am on Friday, March 2, 2012

"Environmental degradation, overpopulation, refugees, narcotics, terrorism, world crime movements, and organized crime are worldwide problems that don't stop at a nation's borders."
-- Warren Christopher

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