From GEMS.

A powerful statement was released by GEMS from their found Rachel Lloyd. We wished to share it with you.

"There's a war going on outside no man (woman/girl) is safe from". So angry at men who purchase women and girls, at men who hit, men who rape, men who feel like women are their property. Angry at the man who disposed of a girl I loved like she was nothing more than garbage. Angry that he just walked back into his life like nothing had happened the night he took hers. Angry thatwe're not angry enough that we live in a world where women and girls are victims of violence every minute. Angry that women and girls in the life aren't even seen as human. Angry that this could of been me and so many, many people I love. Angry that somewhere in the world, soon, this will happen again to a girl or a woman. Angry that while I've been writing this women are being beaten, sexually assaulted, and some killed - often at the hands of a man they love. Mobb Deep was half right - there is a war going on - but for women and girls its not just happening outside, its happening inside our homes, behind closed doors, on city streets, in hotels, in cars, in workplaces, in bedrooms and kitchens, in front of our children, in war zones and refugee camps, in prisons and colleges,- there is no safe zone. And no woman or girl, especially those in the life, are safe from it. I'm so tired of nursing girls wounds, of supporting female friends through their sexual abuse trauma, of hearing about one woman after another being hit, punched, kicked, choked by a man they are intimate with, tired of complaining about the constant degradation of women and girls in the media, tired of trying to explain to people how its all connected, how its all part of the continuum of women and girls being dehumanized. You start with sexism, misogyny, male privilege and acceptance of violence towards women and girls in our culture, in all cultures, and eventually you are left with a young woman's body dumped like garbage in some woods by a highway. And you're left with only a mention of an unidentified female body in the news, that doesn't even raise an eyebrow. Just one of the many faceless, nameless women and girls who are casualties of the war against them everyday. I'm so tired of crying, I just want to know when it ends. When do we all get angry and tired and disgusted enough to fight back? Don't our daughters, mothers, sisters, nieces, girlfriends, friends deserve to be safe? Don't the women and girls who aren't related to us, who might not look like us, who aren't seen as 'good' girls or 'real' victims deserve to be safe too? We didn't sign up for this war simply by virtue of being born female. We didn't enlist, we don't want to be soldiers. We just want to be safe and free. That's not asking a lot."

-Rachel Lloyd, GEMS founder

For more information about GEMS, visit their site. 

Spreading Awareness.

Slavery isn't dead. It is present and real throughout the world including here in the United States. The federal and state laws before were not aware or had no desire to stop the trafficking that was occurring, but today, more states are stepping up to the plate and more people are realizing that human trafficking is occurring in their city and state.

What can we do? At first, the task to help may seem daunting. What can one voice do in a sea of millions trapped in bondage? For Autumn House, we have started small by donating 10% of our funds to an organization to combat domestic trafficking, but we want to continue to grow to the point where we can donate 50%. Donations are not the only option, though. Help is needed and awareness to the community should be spread. There are many organizations, projects, and petitions that you can jump on board with. If one wants to get really involved, see if there are local organizations combating trafficking in your area. Know what to look for, as well. Research and know the signs for trafficking or place where people are being trafficked. Get involved, spread the word and encourage others to rise up and help in whatever way they can.

Here are a few organizations to look into to begin helping end trafficking.
The Polaris Project- Dedicated to helping survivors, creating trafficking hotline, and much more.
Not For Sale- Focusing on slavery around the world, Not for Sale's goal is to create a world free of slavery.
GEMS- The organization we support, GEMS provides services for survivors in New York as well as spreading awareness across the United States.

There are many more organizations and ways to help. Find out what you can do, and get involved. Let's start spreading awareness.

Safe Harbor Laws

At an organization called change.org, they are petitioning to enact Safe Harbor Laws to protect underage children who have been commercially exploited.

"Safe Harbor laws are that better option. These laws define these sexually exploited children as victims of abuse, help them find protection and support, and grant them immunity from prosecution for prostitution while they are under 18 years of age.

Safe Harbor laws also can increase funding for specialized services like long-term housing, mental health care, educational support, and job training to help these children recover. Thirty-nine states lack these basic Safe Harbor protections – including Texas, Michigan, Nebraska, and Louisiana. Every state can do more to increase services for child victims of sex trafficking." 

-Carolina De Los Rios, PhD
Apart of Polaris Project

To find out more and how you can sign and promote this petition visit HERE.

Thank you for supporting this cause!

Supporting Moms

As many of you know, we, as a vintage business, support GEMS and their organization. This summer, they have put together a registry to help some amazing women who have children and need baby supplies. Below is instructions from their site! 

"Summer is here and our GEMS’ babies are ready to enjoy some fun in the sun! Their lovely moms could really use your support to keep their munchkins happy and healthy this summer with basic items such as diapers, formula, and bottles. YOU can help our young women fulfill their children’s basic needs by purchasing items on our wish list! Start your week off right and check it out today!!"

Here’s how to use the My Registry wish list:
1. Visit the registry at http://bit.ly/I2VWH8 (use Firefox; Internet Explorer isn’t really compatible with this website.
2. Click on the item you want to purchase. A pop-up window will say that you will be directed to the Target or Walmart website.
3. Click “Continue to View or Buy This Gift” on the pop-up window.
4. Wait while you are connected to the Target or Walmart website.
5. Click “Add to Cart” and then “Proceed to Checkout.”
6. Insert the shipping address that “My Registry” is showing at the top of the page.
7. Fill out your billing address—and then you should be set!
If you have any trouble with the wish list, please email Zuleika Muñoz at zuleika@gems-girls.org! And thank you for supporting our family!!

Hope you all have a wonderful Monday!

A New Act, A New Hope

As a vintage shop, we want to provide the most unique and beautiful items to our customers. We also want to do more than just sell vintage which is why we donate 10% of every purchase to G.E.M.S, Girls Educational Mentoring Service. This organization was founded in New York City in 1998 by Rachel Lloyd who as a teenager was commercially sexually exploited. 

G.E.M.S strives to make known the issues of domestic trafficking and sexual exploitation in New York and the states. They are committed to ending sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of women and children by changing individual lives, transforming public perception, and revolutionizing the systems and policies that impact sexually exploited youth. A great step toward this goal was taken yesterday with the renewing of an political act. 

President Obama signing act. 

It was a day of excitement and celebration as a new act was signed by President Obama, The Violence Against Women Act. This act was originally put forth in 1994 but in 2011 fell by the wayside and was not renewed until yesterday. This act empowers victims of sexual and domestic violence across the United States. It gives them rights in the law as well as access to programs and victim assistant services. 

This is the beginning of a long road towards empowering victims of domestic and sexual violence and to one day end sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking in the United States.

For more information on G.E.M.S. and to support their movement click HERE. 
For more facts about the Violence Against Women Act, click HERE.