activist

In the Booth with Ruth – Ruthie ‘Angel’ Jones Patton, Anti-Human Trafficking Activist

“I feel that mainstream media refuses to address the problem because it’s so horrific that people would change the channel or not buy their papers, magazines etc. rather than see a reality they can’t deal with and I think that needs to change… No man, woman, or child should be forced into any type of slavery. Man should not own man.”

Ruth Jacobs's avatarRuth Jacobs

Ruthie Jones Patton

How did you become involved in the movement against human trafficking? 

I became involved in the fight against human trafficking via Facebook. I belonged to several child abuse support groups as well as BAAK (Bikers Against Abusing Kids). I had just come out about my own history as an abused child and in discussing my situation on these sites, I started to notice articles about human trafficking. I was stunned to learn about the relationship between human and drug trafficking as well as illegal arms dealing and poaching. I started asking questions within the groups and it’s then that I came in contact with Yvonne, Lynn and Michele who gave me some websites to look into that better explained it all as a whole. One thing led to another and I found myself overwhelmed at just how serious and worldwide the problem is, which is up to and including…

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In the Booth with Ruth – Gemma Wilson, Anti-Human Trafficking Activist

“When people who were once trafficked are rescued and out of the hands of traffickers, they often recount the days and years spent in slavery as being worse than what they imagined death to be like,” says Gemma Wilson, part of Northern Ireland’s counter-trafficking movement. She continues, “I found out there are more slaves today than there ever have been… I couldn’t believe it and I couldn’t turn away…”

Ruth Jacobs's avatarRuth Jacobs

Gemma Wilson

How did you become involved in the movement against human trafficking?

I had what some would very rightly call a ridiculous fear of getting bored in the summer months between my undergrad and postgrad studies, so I gave myself a few projects. Having seen ‘Amazing Grace’, a film about the life and work of abolitionist William Wilberforce, I added researching slavery to my list of summer activities – which also included learning to enjoy running. Sadly, I have yet to tick that one off.

This project was based on the assumption that slavery was a thing of the past; I quickly found out there are more slaves today than there ever have been and was gripped by this new unveiled reality. I couldn’t believe it and I couldn’t turn away from it.

I spent the guts of the following year researching the global picture of slavery: its various forms, the…

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In the Booth with Ruth – Magda M. Olchawska – Anti-Human Trafficking Activist and Filmmaker

Magda M. Olchawska – Anti-Human Trafficking Activist and Filmmaker: “…society needs to be aware that the problem exists… citizens need to feel safe enough to report strange activities in their neighbourhoods to the authorities… The support system for the victims needs to be much better… the Swedish system, where not only the oppressor but also people using trafficked victims in any way are punished, could be the right way forward.”

Ruth Jacobs's avatarRuth Jacobs

Magda M. Olchawska

What inspired you to support the movement against human traffickingand make films about human trafficking and sexual exploitation?

Towards the end of 2010, I started reading a lot about human and sex trafficking. I also watched a movie called The Whistleblower, based on a true story of how UN soldiers were trafficking girls from former Soviet Union to former Yugoslavia.

However, the most influential person who inspired me was a lady I met on Twitter, Lynn Robertson. Lynn’s work and dedication made me inspired to write a script and then to turn it into a movie. I wanted to be involved in the fight against sex and human trafficking in any possible way. At that time, I thought the best way for me to make society more aware of the huge problem we are facing was to make a ‘fictional’ movie.

Can you describe the films you’ve made…

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