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Awareness|February 11, 2015

Shared Hope Tackles Human Trafficking at Super Bowl & Scores a Big Win for Justice


Written by: SHI Staff

An Unforgettable Announcement

Students at Grand Canyon University view the doll box installation on campus.

Students at Grand Canyon University view the doll box installation on campus.

Last week Shared Hope International was in Phoenix to raise awareness about child sex trafficking through the “Children Aren’t Playthings” doll box campaign. We used the national spotlight on Phoenix and the Super Bowl to bring an unforgettable announcement that child sex trafficking is happening in America.

We talked to hundreds of students and community members about the issue, most were shocked to learn that trafficking takes place in America today. The campaign also received significant media attention from the Huffington PostABC, and the Washington Times, among others.

Using Creativity to Raise Awareness

The box was created through a pro bono partnership between Shared Hope and Brunner, a creative agency in Atlanta. The exhibit took Silver in the 2014 OBIE Awards for being for the year’s most creative and dynamic out-of-home advertising in 2014.

Over 600 people were reportedly arrested on charges related to sex trafficking this year because of focused efforts from law enforcement to cut down on the anticipated increase in the commercial sex trade during the Super Bowl each year. Among those arrested was NFL Hall of Fame Lineman Warren Sapp who was arrested on charges of solicitation.

Taking Action

Shared Hope’s support letter on Demandingjustice.org encouraging Arizona County Attorney’s to prosecute buyers to the fullest extent of the law received over 3,000 signatures. You can view the petition at http://www.demandingjustice.org/petition/.

Catch a glimpse of the doll box in action in the video below:

watch[vc_cta_button2 h2=”Take Action” style=”rounded” txt_align=”left” title=”Learn more” btn_style=”square” color=”black” size=”lg” position=”bottom” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fsharedhope.org%2Fwhat-we-do%2Fbring-justice%2Flegislative-action-center%2F||target:%20_blank”]Visit Shared Hope’s Legislative Action page to learn how you can take action on these issues![/vc_cta_button2]