Constance is a story about a girl in the Philippines who is victimized by Human Trafficking. It was directed by Sam Sanchez of Stick Productions in 2006. Special thanks to Nakeism Labs. It has spread like wildfire via YouTube, and inspired an international human rights movement called the "Constance Campaign." Mr. J Medeiros spearheaded the movement and partnered with Non-Profit’s like IamComing.org, XXXChurch, and HumanTrafficking.org. In May 2007, Constance was also featured on CBS Evening News in an expose’ on internet pornography.

I can’t seem to find anything current about this campaign, it may have morphed into something else or aligned with StopTheTraffik. In any case, it’s a good video, and the lyrics are just a little heart wrenching.

the sound of rain is her backdrop laying there/
like she’s waiting for somebody to say they care/
while the tears of God fall down the window pane/
she feels unholy like her Father doesn’t know her name/
Mary Magdalene and the woman at the well/
He knows everything that happened and in His arms she fell./

Wow! What a weekend!

Saturday 19th April was Freedom Day in the city of Perth!
The Salvos and other freedom fighters (world vision, ywam, and a myriad of others..) were out in full strength to walk for freedom in the city.

We blew up balloons, we banged drums, we raised banners and we walked in strength in an effort to allow people to see and hear the call to freedom, justice, mercy, love and the stopping of traffik.

And, we made Stop The Traffik / Salvation Army T-Shirts and looked fantastic while we were wearing them! The logo to the right on the front and a MASSIVE Red Shield on the back!!

During the walk, and the afternoon session in the City we gave out nearly 800 flyers with information about Trafficking, and an invite to a free* screening of The Jammed in Northbridge.

Many conversations were had, many children were excited by the FREE magazine! (KidZone’s galore!) and MANY of the people we gave flyers to during the day, came to watch the movie – and not just because we were offering food** (although that did seem to draw the crowd!)

An estimation of more than 80 people flooded an auxiliary room at the Perth Fortress Corps to watch The Jammed. More than half of those in attendance came through the flyers we gave out, or because of the young enthusiasts just outside the Corps bringing people in!

The movie is incredibly graphic and confronting, but there was opportunity for prayer, support and comfort after the movie, and there is much hope that people did not feel helpless, but through the info from the talk prior to the movie, and the resources available, feel strong to move forward in the fight for freedom.

In the lead up to the event and on the day, we made important connections with organisations and individuals in Perth who are already working for a traffik free world. In particular, a young enthusiastic representative from YWAM walked with us, stayed all afternoon in the city making incredible connections with passers-by and invited 5 of her friends to the movie.

There are some links here, to show you what these groups are up to;
Lost in Traffik (YWAM Perth)
Don’t Trade Lives (World Vision – STIR, Perth)

Thanks for listening to my recap. There will be more news soon about JUSTSalvosWA’s ideas/events and more.

Grace.

*The screening was technically free, but we encouraged a Gold Coin donation on entry, and raised a total of $275.80 for The Salvation Army’s Counter-Traffiking project in India.

**The free food on offer was Fair Trade, and Organic – and for some even gluten and dairy free!! Thanks Fair-Go Trading!

I just had a highly productive meeting hashing out some details for WA’s Freedom Day on April 19.

I went in feeling unmotivated and discouraged, I came out feeling excited and empowered! Praise Jesus!

Behind a loud-blowing brass band, we’ll be marching through Northbridge to the Murray St mall, in an effort to raise awareness about Traffiking and Exploitation. We’ll be hanging out in the mall for the afternoon to chat with people, hand out some Kidzones and invite people to come to the screening of “The Jammed” at 6.30pm. 

The Jammed is an Australian film, that has one three Australian Film Industry Awards – Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay, Best Music. In recent news:

The Australian Catholic Film Office (ACFO) has awarded its 2007 Film of the Year to Dee McLachlan’s The Jammed. Director of the ACFO and jury chair, Jesuit Fr Richard Leonard said 2007 was one of the strongest years in many for Australian films.”The Jammed, The Home Song Stories and Romulus, My Father were among the best,” Fr Leonard said. “The jury felt that The Jammed was a singularly courageous piece of cinema. Even though the extremely violent world this film portrays means many people would not want to see it, that does not allow us to ignore the sex trade in women and children occurring in our nation,” he said.

The movie traces the story of three women brought to Australia under false pretences for sexual exploitation. The Jammed reveals not only the horror of modern human trafficking and slavery but also peels back the complex moral layers involved for everyone, including governments. Fr Leonard said it would be hard to think of a social issue which the whole Church is presently speaking with such clarity. “Pope Benedict’s statement on human trafficking for sex, his message to mark World Day of Migrants and Refugees, and the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerants have strenuously called for all Catholics, Christians and people of good will to do everything they can to counter the causes and the evil results of human trafficking.” “The Jammed plays the role of raising our consciousness on this issue.” This uncompromising and confronting film illuminates a dark, tragic side of Australian society and thus makes a significant contribution to increasing people’s awareness of an under-recognised but important issue of faith and justice.”

Here is a preview:

A poster summarising the day’s events will be out shortly. Watch this space.