OUR MISSION - TO SUPPORT AND EMPOWER WOMEN WORLDWIDE

At Lusso Bags, we are committed to helping put a stop to human trafficking by supporting and empowering women worldwide to either avoid or leave the sex trade. Our company has been built by women for women. As more women gain access to education and suitable working environments they have the opportunity to improve their lives and communities.

Human trafficking abroad, particularly in developing countries, occurs primarily due to poverty and coercion. A young woman in a village is told about a marriage prospect, job possibility, or other opportunity in the city so leaves for a better life, only to find herself trapped in a horrible condition from which she is unable to escape.

This is why a percentage of all Lusso Bag sales are donated to entities that help women avoid or leave the sex trade: half is given to Freeset and half to Bibles To Nations. In Kolkata, India, Freeset, an organization in Kolkata, India aimed at freeing poor women from the bondage of life in the sex trade. At Freeset, these women have the opportunity to learn basic reading, writing, and math skills; develop a trade, get health care, earn decent wages and get a chance at a new life for themselves and their families. View the work of Freeset Global to learn more about the amazing operations of this business. At BTN, preventative measures are implemented so that women and girls will not have to enter the sex trade and can instead receive an education and training in tailoring and beautician skills.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Educate yourself about human trafficking

We recommend reading or watching:

• 1. Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade--and How We Can Fight It
  2. Renting Lacy: A story of America’s prostituted children
  3. The Road to Lost Innocence
  4. Nepal’s Stolen Children
  5. The Road to Traffik

For a comprehensive, up-to-date overview, check out the US Department of State 2010 Trafficking Persons Report

Advocate

Write your State Representatives and Senators to stop human trafficking.

Raise Awareness About Human Trafficking

Inform your friends and encourage them to become advocates too. Speak out and create events in your school, community, or religious center on the subject. Show a film at the event or host a house party and then allocate a time for writing legislators together.

Support Travel and Tourism Companies who have signed the Code of Conduct

Companies that signed The Code commit to educating customers, creating a clear policy, and training employees in identifying trafficking. US companies that have signed include Carlson Companies, Global Exchange, Hilton Hotels, and Delta Airlines. You can also support other human rights and socially-responsible travel agencies such as Gap Adventures. Ask your other favorite travel companies to sign as well.

TassaTag - Travelers Against Sex Slavery and Trafficking

Go to www.tassatag.org. Become a visible voice with a TassaTag, a big, bright, fair trade luggage tag. TassaTag stands for Travelers against Sex Slavery and Trafficking. Spot your bags easily while supporting ECPAT-USA's Code of Conduct project and assisting the travel industry to be more than a blind eye.

Report Suspicious Activity to Polaris

Polaris Project, a non-government, national human trafficking resource center and a toll-free 24-hour hotline. Polaris has outlined signs of trafficking for which you can be on the lookout.

Purchase Products Made by Survivors of Trafficking

Sari Bari, International Princess Project, Freeset, and Lusso Bags Mrs. Bird bag are all created by former trafficked victims. You will not only find satisfaction from these high-quality products, but also in knowing you have enabled more women to experience freedom.