The Strawberry Girls: Story and Art to Change Lives in the Sex Trafficking Industry
Marci Renée, BA, BS, MA & Kim Peters, BA | September 19 | 9:45-10:45 am
Topic: Art, International | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
What if you were a victim of human trafficking but had no voice to tell your story? Kim and Marci—one artist, one writer, two voices for the Silent Ones. Let them introduce you to the Strawberry Girls. The Strawberry Girls are Moroccan women recruited each year to pick "red gold" in the strawberry fields of Spain. The shocking reality is that many of these vulnerable women are then lured into sex trafficking through lies, deception, and empty promises. Once they step foot in the brothel, they are trapped, and it will take a miracle for them to get out. But miracles do happen! One day, a safe house called and asked Marci to translate for a Moroccan woman who had just been rescued. This woman was a “Strawberry Girl.” In Marci’s continued work with these women, she began to identify a human trafficking line between Morocco and Spain. Unwilling to stay silent, Marci began writing their stories. Her friend and professional artist, Kim, began painting their stories. Through Kim's soulful artwork and Marci's poetic words from their Strawberry Girls Project, they invite you to step into the shoes of the Strawberry Girls and journey with them from slavery to freedom. Kim and Marci will guide participants through the experiences of the Strawberry Girls and inspire them to use their own unique talents and passions to join the anti-human trafficking movement in their own communities and around the world. What if you could make a difference right where you are?
Presentation Objectives:
• Describe the 4-stage journey of The Strawberry Girls from Morocco to Spain, identifying common patterns of human trafficking victimization around the world, such as deception, lies, empty promises, and movement of people
• Demonstrate how to use one’s passions and talents to raise awareness of trafficking
• Invite participants to consider using their unique passions and talents to join the anti-human trafficking movement in their own communities and around the world