Dresses Donned for 40 days to Raise Awareness of Sex 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 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 this week where Ohio State Reps. Kathleen Clyde and Teresa Fedor talked about

The girls, both christians who attend , 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."