ABOLISH Movement & Human Trafficking

Over the course of its 117-year history, The Junior League has amassed an archive of irrefutable results and an indisputable reputation as thoughtful and influential change agents for the public good. There is perhaps no better example of this than the achievements of Junior Leagues in the fight to end human trafficking.

For more than 15 years Leagues (both individually and in statewide coalitions from California to Florida, Michigan to Alabama and numerous destinations in between) have joined forces with law enforcement, government officials, anti-trafficking organizations and other critical and influential community change-makers to raise public awareness on the hidden world of human trafficking, advocate for the passage of anti-trafficking legislation and support survivors. To-date, 50-plus Junior Leagues have joined the fight against human trafficking. League coalitions have worked to pass more than 25 different pieces of anti-trafficking legislation, primarily at the state and local level. In 2011, The Junior League was honored by the United Nations Association of New York for its work fighting against human trafficking.

Abolish Movement

Abolish Movement

Focus on: Child Sex Slavery

In 2014, the Junior League of Tampa (JLT) set out to create an integrated marketing campaign to unite Tampa organizations and agencies in drawing attention to the problem of child sex slavery in the Tampa Bay area—a main point of entry and passage for victims. The campaign was developed in partnership with Ad 2 Tampa Bay, a network of young advertising professionals who selected JLT as their public service client. In conjunction with the creation of ABOLISH billboards, posters, PSAs, print ads, social media content and other marketing materials, JLT held a number of local community events including forums, documentary screenings and trainings. In 2014, the ABOLISH Movement received top honors at ADMERICA! as the best public service campaign of 2014. The movement has united over 100 agencies in the Tampa Bay area in the fight against human trafficking to date.

In 2017, The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) adopted ABOLISH as an association-wide initiative to scale the movement and unite communities across the United States and beyond in an effort to generate greater awareness of the intractable, systemic issue of child sex slavery.

Together we will find a way forward. Together, we will improve lives. Together we will strengthen communities.

Learn more about the issue and how to recognize the signs of child sex slavery by visiting ABOLISHMovement.org

The Work of The Junior League

State Public Affairs Committees (SPACs)

  • The Junior Leagues of California State Public Affairs Committee (Cal-SPAC)

    Human Trafficking Advocacy

    The Junior Leagues of California State Public Affairs Committee (Cal-SPAC), consisting of 16 member Leagues

    Junior Leagues of California State Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) is committed to ending human trafficking in all its forms. SPAC supports policies and programs that stop human trafficking, advocate for victims, and educate the community at large. 

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  • Florida SPAC

    Human Trafficking Legislation

    The Junior Leagues of Florida State Public Affairs Committee (Florida SPAC), consisting of 25 member Leagues

    Human trafficking is a legislative priority issue for the Florida SPAC, advocating for multiple bills that not only help victims, but also create more restrictions and increased penalties for sexual offenders and traffickers. For 2018, Florida SPAC supported seven pieces of legislation related to human trafficking and child exploitation.

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  • Georgia SPAC

    Human Trafficking Advocacy

    State Public Affairs Committee of Georgia (Georgia SPAC), consisting of 12 member Leagues

    Supported passage of House Bill 200 which strengthened the law regarding human trafficking in the state of Georgia. In 2016, they partnered with the United Way of Greater Atlanta (among others) on the Safe Harbor Yes campaign, which advocated for the creation of the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund via amendment to the state constitution.

  • Building Awareness and Giving a Lifeline to Human Trafficking Victims

    The State Public Affairs Committee of the Junior Leagues of New Jersey (NJSPAC), consisting of 8 member Leagues

    The Junior Leagues of the New Jersey State Public Affairs Committee takes a multi-pronged approach to fighting human trafficking, organizing the state’s first educational summit, which produced legislation, and establishing a hotline where New Jerseyans can report suspected cases.

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  • Protection and Justice for Trafficking Victims

    The Junior Leagues of the State of New York State Public Affairs Committee (NYSPAC), consisting of 17 member Leagues

    Human trafficking was high on NYSPAC’s legislative agenda in 2006 and NYSPAC members strongly urged members of the New York State Assembly and Senate to enact a strong, comprehensive state law that recognizes human trafficking as a crime, punishes traffickers and establishes services for victims. In May 2007, then Governor Elliott Spitzer signed the legislation to enact the human trafficking bill into law. The following year, NYSPAC successfully advocated for the provision of funding for domestic violence shelter services for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence.

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  • Advocates on behalf of Michigan's women and children

    Michigan State Council of Junior Leagues, consisting of 9 member Leagues

    The goal for the Michigan State Council of Junior Leagues is to support legislation that stiffens the penalty for prosecution of human trafficking crimes.

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Individual Leagues

  • The Junior League of Atlanta's Human Trafficking Initiative

    The Junior League of Atlanta

    As part of the Metro Atlanta Coalition to End Human Trafficking, the Junior League of Atlanta will train 10,000 Atlanta Super Bowl volunteers to ‘learn something, see something, do something’ in support of anti-human trafficking efforts.

    There is a widespread myth that the Super Bowl is a catalyst for the largest human trafficking event of the year, when in fact, human trafficking occurs daily all across the United States. Nevertheless, major sporting events do bring with them an influx of commercial sex to their host cities, which inevitably includes a large concentration of human trafficking victims. Which is why the Super Bowl Host Committee is partnering with the Coalition to help bring an end to such a heinous act. Trainings, activities, events, and more will be hosted throughout the city during the months of January and February 2019.

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  • Raising Human Trafficking Awareness

    The Junior League of Baton Rouge

    To generate awareness of the human trafficking in Louisiana, The Junior League of Baton Rouge recently partnered with Trafficking Hope to hold screening of the documentary film, Nefarious: Merchant of Souls. 

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  • Human Trafficking Luncheon and Panel

    The Junior League of Birmingham, AL

    In January, The Junior League of Birmingham hosted a luncheon and panel discussion on the issue of human trafficking. 

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  • Working with SOAP in Detroit

    The Junior League of Birmingham, MI

    The Junior League of Birmingham, MI  is in its second year of partnering with SOAP, Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution. 

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  • Junior League of Chicago

    Freeing Individuals from Human Trafficking

    The Junior League of Chicago

    JLC introduced a new signature issue in 2016 – Human Trafficking. Freeing Individuals from Human Trafficking (FIHT) formed to support the fight against Human Trafficking in Chicagoland with boots on the ground. The FIHT committee works with organizations across Chicago to help support the community effort against human trafficking. In addition, FIHT explores opportunities for how the JLC can get more involved as well as educate JLC members about the human trafficking both in Chicago and beyond.

  • Educating and raising awareness in Daytona Beach

    The Junior League of Daytona Beach

    The Junior League of Daytona Beach's human trafficking committee educates the public by raising awareness of the issue through informational seminars, special events and local outreach relief efforts. 

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  • The Junior League of Des Moines,

    Dorothy’s House

    The Junior League of Des Moines

    JLDM is partnering with Dorothy’s House, a local home campus that provides a safe place for the practice of life for those teen and youth girls whose lives have been interrupted by sex trafficking and sexploitation. The League’s current focus is helping Dorothy's House by volunteering and funding the development of an urban garden co-op with the goal to provide girls with a work environment that teaches healthy food relationships, business and life skills that will help them be successful when they transition to independent living.

  • The Junior League of Eugene,

    Human Trafficking Awareness Brochure

    The Junior League of Eugene

    Created a human trafficking awareness brochure in partnership with the Eugene Police Department, which is made available to law enforcement, medical, school and transit personnel as well as parent groups and other community non-profits.

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  • JL Flint's Town Hall Meeting

    The Junior League of Flint

    On February 25, 2011, The Junior League of Flint hosted a Town Hall to teach community members how to identify and fight human trafficking. 

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  • The Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale,

    Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign

    The Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale

    Recently identified human trafficking as a focus area for the League, and developed and delivers a Human Trafficking Awareness campaign that they will continue to adapt and use in the community. A primary target group for the campaign was parents, as parent and guardian education on the topic was found to be lacking by the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Broward Human Trafficking Coalition.

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  • The Junior League of Long Beach,

    Youth Exploitation and Safety Symposium

    The Junior League of Long Beach

    Organized and hosted the first annual Youth Exploitation and Safety Symposium (YESS 2015) aimed at keeping young people safe from the world of human trafficking in partnership with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) and the Long Beach PTA.In conjunction with the Long Beach Human Trafficking Task Force, published and distributes a comprehensive resource guide to assist service providers who are on the front lines helping trafficking survivors.

  • Creating Legislation in Los Angeles

    The Junior League of Los Angeles

    In 2008, JL of Los Angeles (JLLA) created and sponsored a piece of state legislation entitled AB 2810: AB 2810 AB 2810 that requires law enforcement agencies to assess whether a victim of domestic violence or rape, or a person “suspected of violating” California’s solicitation and prostitution laws, is also a victim of human trafficking.

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  • The Junior League of Napa-Sonoma

    Sonoma County Human Trafficking Task Force

    The Junior League of Napa-Sonoma

    JLNS is a member of the Sonoma County Human Trafficking Task Force, a multidisciplinary team working to raise awareness, advocate for victims, and end human trafficking in our community. As a member of the Task Force, JLNS helps to organize periodic forums and rallies on the topic, and has supported other awareness campaigns in our community such as local billboards. JLNS shares information with our members about human trafficking and the efforts of the Task Force at General Membership Meetings on an annual basis.

  • The Junior League of Northern Westchester,

    The Gateways Program,

    The Junior League of Northern Westchester,

    The Junior League of Northern Westchester is working to combat the multi-faceted issue of Human Trafficking by focusing its efforts specifically on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). Since 2013, JLNW has partnered with The Gateways Program, an intensive specialized residential treatment program for girls aged 12-17 who have been victims of commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. JLNW Members meet with the girls at Gateways monthly for meals and activities to help promote appropriate social skills and to show the girls that in healthy relationships, people care about one another without expecting anything in return. The League continues to expand efforts including: Serving as a member of the Westchester County Anti-Trafficking Task Force, researching and introducing curriculum for exploitation prevention efforts at local school districts and youth organizations, and advocacy efforts to identify potential legislation to protect victims and prosecute traffickers.

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  • JL of the Oranges and Short Hills helps renovate Polaris offices

    The Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills

    As part of its continued support of the Polaris Project New Jersey, The Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills recently donated over $10,000 worth of renovations to Polaris’ offices. 

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  • SHEDDING LIGHT ON DOMESTIC HUMAN TRAFFICKING

    The Junior League of Portland, OR

    The Junior League of Portland’s Stop Human Trafficking Committee was formed to focus on generating awareness, advocating for survivors and community collaboration.

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  • The Junior League of Salt Lake City,

    Human Trafficking Advocacy

    The Junior League of Salt Lake City

    In 2016, JLSLC decided that tackling modern-day slavery would be its newest project, helping combat the world’s second most profitable criminal industry. They are currently working with community partners to determine how best they can attack the problem.

  • The Junior League of San Diego

    San Diego County Human Trafficking Task Force

    The Junior League of San Diego

    JLSD is an active member of the San Diego County Human Trafficking Task Force which strives to take a collaborative, cross-cutting effort on anti-human trafficking efforts in San Diego County. JLSD also hosts an annual Human Trafficking Awareness Rally on January 11 to bring together community members to bring awareness around this important issue. Additionally, they host annual community impact forums to bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking and the relationships to youth in the foster care system. JLSD regularly communicates and educates their membership on the issue of human trafficking, important legislation and ways to get involved.

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  • The Junior League of San Francisco

    Human Trafficking Advocacy Committee

    The Junior League of San Francisco

    JLSF’s Advocacy Committee has trains members on the issue via film screenings, panels, and other educational opportunities. JLSF members supported a city/county ordinance targeting massage parlors where trafficking can occur. Members participated in efforts to make sure AB 1193 (which required anti-trafficking poster with hotline info to be posted in specific businesses) was being properly implemented in coordination with the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women. JLSF is a sponsor of the Enough Abuse campaign - a movement to prevent child sexual abuse in the bay area with the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Council.

  • The Junior League of Santa Barbara

    S.A.F.E. House Santa Barbara

    The Junior League of Santa Barbara

    JLSB recently opened their county’s first therapeutic rehabilitative shelter for children who are survivors of commercial sexual exploitation. S.A.F.E. House Santa Barbara (Saving At-risk Youth From Exploitation) is a six-bed Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) designed to meet the very specific needs of girls who have been commercially exploited.With only a handful of beds in all of California dedicated solely to young girl survivors, opening a six-bed home has made a significant impact. In addition, the League co-chairs the Education & Outreach Subcommittee of their local Human Trafficking Task Force.

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  • The Junior League of Sioux City, IA

    Siouxland Coalition Against Human Trafficking (SCAHT)

    The Junior League of Sioux City, IA

    Recognizing that 70 percent of human trafficking incidents in the area occur within a hotel or motel, JLSC partners with the Siouxland Coalition Against Human Trafficking (SCAHT) to train area hotel and motel employees on how to recognize and respond to the signs of human trafficking. Hotels and motels that participate in the program and complete their training receive a plaque notifying thepublic that the establishment has participated in the training.

  • The Junior League of Sioux Falls, SD

    Sioux Falls Human Trafficking Task Force

    The Junior League of Sioux Falls, SD

    JLSF was a founding member of the Sioux Falls Human Trafficking Task Force, and launched the Human Trafficking Education Project, an education and awareness campaign carried out through public advertising and JLSF facilitators.

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  • "Abolishing" Human Trafficking in Tampa

    The Junior League of Tampa

    In addition to the advocacy work being done on the state level with through the Junior Leagues of Florida State Public Affairs Committee, the League’s most significant local effort was through a partnership with Ad 2 Tampa Bay for the launch of the “Abolish” campaign.

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