Values & campaigns
Living our values

Human trafficking exists in countries all over the world (1), not just the poorest. According to the United Nations, it is the third-largest and fastest-growing criminal industry in the world (2), with more than 1.2 million children and young people trafficked every year (3).

In response to this growing trade, The Body Shop has launched a global campaign to Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People. Working alongside ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) the campaign aims to raise awareness and vital funds for victims or those at risk of trafficking.

Since its launch in 2009, Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People has gathered support in more than 40 countries worldwide. In New York and Toronto, hundreds of people rallied to the cause with organised marches. In Thailand, The Body Shop customers wrote personal messages of support to victims of trafficking at the ECPAT Foundation Shelter. And in Denmark, store staff raised awareness by handing out leaflets in the city's red light district.

2009 also saw the launch of The Body Shop® Soft Hands Kind Heart Hand Cream. Proceeds from each hand cream sold* are donated to ECPAT and other organisations that support victims of trafficking and help to fund prevention programmes. With one sold globally every 30 seconds**, Soft Hands Kind Heart Hand Cream has already raised a staggering £1m for charity.

So what's next? This summer we'll be launching a petition calling upon governments to implement strict anti-trafficking policies and legislation, and dedicate more resources to help victims of trafficking. It doesn't end there. Because this is a global campaign, our objective is to join hands with thousands of other signatories around the world by taking our petitions to the United Nations in 2011.