SOLD Project

Child Sex Trafficking is Still a Major Problem Worldwide

The SOLD Project Speaks Out Against the Sexual Exploitation of Children

PRESS RELEASE, For Immediate Distribution

PLEASANTON, CA., Apr. 07, 2011 – For those who are unfamiliar with child sex trafficking, it is defined as the criminal act of recruiting, transporting, and receipt of children for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Sex trafficking is accomplished by means of fraud, deception and threats. While the largest numbers of sex trafficking occurs in East Asia, the Pacific, Latin America, and parts of Eastern Europe, it is a world-wide phenomenon and the sex trade market brings in $5-9 billion dollars a year.

Victims of sex trafficking face numerous physical and psychological risks including: drug and alcohol addiction; physical injuries like broken bones and anal/vaginal tearing; headaches; STD’s; shame; fear; self-hatred and suicidal thoughts. Here in the United States, it has been a federal crime to transport minors over state lines for the purpose of committing illegal sex acts since 1910. It is alarming that there are currently only four federal statutes in place to protect and help victims. What is even more frightening is how fast sex-trafficking is surpassing the international drug trade in organized crime.

“Families, for the most part, know what will happen when their child is sent away to work. No family wants that; it’s just a lack of options,” The SOLD Project founder Rachel Goble said. “By providing scholarships to children, it gives them just another option and alleviates pressure from families.”

In February 2008, The SOLD Project Rough debuted “The SOLD Project: Thailand” (now available at soldproject.com) to our friends and family.

“Its original inspiration was really just to create a good film that gave hope to the issue of child prostitution…What are the faces behind the statistics and what can we as people do to help?” Goble said.

Since our film debut, several efforts have been made in countries where sex trafficking victims have been unable to receive governmental assistance.

We are currently seeking the help of The SOLD Project supporters through internships, volunteering, corporate sponsorships and donations. In the fall of 2011, The SOLD Project seeks to expand and help at-risk children in Latin America and Eastern Europe. We are now accepting applications for volunteers and mentors both domestically and abroad. Act now and you can save a child. Help us speak for those with no voice.

About The SOLD Project:

The Sold Project was formed in the summer of 2007 by a group of friends who sought to raise awareness of and prevent child prostitution after traveling through Thailand. In 2008, we created the SOLD Project Scholarship Fund to offer educational scholarships to at-risk children and partner each child up with a sponsor. In addition to this, SOLD’s FREEDOM Project provides children with mentors in their home towns and offer Human Trafficking Awareness Programs at local schools.

For more information please visit our website at http://thesoldproject.com or call (323) 828-6450.

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