January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. As we join the many voices raising awareness this month, we want to take some time to offer some clarity around the language we use, and help correct some common misconceptions.
There is no “fair trade” certification for porn.
There is no “fair trade” stamp for pornographic content—pornography consumers have no way of knowing if sexual acts they are viewing are consensual. There is no enforceable measure for “ethical production”. Even if it’s something that looks consensual or caring, there’s no guarantee that force, fraud, or coercion wasn’t involved. Whether it’s Pornhub, any of the other porn companies owned by MindGeek, or other companies that create, host, or purvey pornographic content—there is just simply no telling whether content features exclusively consensual acts—and was shared online with entirely unforced consent.
Is there justice for me? | Survivor's thoughts on Epstein's death
Last month when Epstein passed, we invited survivors to tell us about their reaction to his apparent suicide. Three survivors responded—and wrote beautiful expressions that focused less on Epstein’s death, and more on a collective commitment to dismantling systems of abusive power and bringing forth justice in their day to day lives.
