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August 2024: How Thorn, O.U.R., and Olive Crest Fought to Save Lives from Human Trafficking

August 2024 was a month that reminded us why we exist. As a company, we don’t just make clothes—we arm our customers with purpose. Every dollar spent fuels the war against human trafficking, and this month, our partners Thorn, Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), and Olive Crest have shown us exactly what that war looks like.

Thorn: Turning Technology Against Traffickers

In August 2024, Thorn, a leader in fighting child sexual exploitation, ramped up its use of technology to expose predators hiding in the shadows of the internet. Their flagship software, Spotlight, helped law enforcement identify over 600 victims of trafficking this month alone. Let that sink in—600 lives were on the line, and Thorn helped save them.

Spotlight doesn’t just locate victims, it exposes traffickers. In a month when AI is constantly discussed in the news for its “risks,” Thorn is turning that narrative on its head. AI isn’t the threat—predators are. By equipping law enforcement with cutting-edge tools, Thorn has flipped the script, proving that technology can be the weapon traffickers never saw coming.

Operation Underground Railroad: A Month of Rescues

Operation Underground Railroad has always been known for getting boots on the ground, kicking down doors, and bringing children to safety. But August 2024 was different. This month, O.U.R. executed 42 operations across 12 countries. They rescued over 120 survivors of human trafficking, many of them children, from unimaginable circumstances.

The stats are brutal, but they also serve as a rallying cry. O.U.R. uncovered trafficking networks operating in schools, tourist destinations, and even orphanages. In one high-profile case, O.U.R. disrupted a massive child trafficking ring operating out of a seemingly reputable orphanage in Southeast Asia. This is not just about saving children from a life of slavery—it’s about dismantling the very systems that allow traffickers to operate. August was a powerful reminder that there’s no room for complacency. These stories are happening everywhere, and the fight is far from over.

Olive Crest: Protecting Families, Preventing Exploitation

While Thorn and O.U.R. focus on intervention and rescue, Olive Crest works to prevent exploitation before it even starts. This past month, Olive Crest expanded its programs to serve over 500 at-risk families in the U.S. These are families on the verge—where children are at risk of falling through the cracks, becoming easy prey for traffickers.

What makes Olive Crest’s approach stand out? Their focus on keeping families together. August 2024 saw an increase in foster care placement interventions, but Olive Crest worked tirelessly to find alternatives, providing support services that helped 75% of the families they served avoid the system entirely. Keeping children out of foster care, in stable homes, dramatically reduces the risk of exploitation and trafficking. This isn’t just about reactive measures; Olive Crest is fighting to change the landscape entirely.

The Road Ahead: How You Can Join the Fight

August was a hard-hitting month for the organizations we support, but it also demonstrated that we are making progress. 720 lives were directly impacted by the combined efforts of Thorn, O.U.R., and Olive Crest this month.

You’re not just wearing a hat or a shirt when you shop with us. You’re putting on armor in the fight for freedom. This month, your purchases helped Thorn crack down on internet predators, funded O.U.R. operations to rescue children, and empowered Olive Crest to protect at-risk families from the horrors of human trafficking.

This isn’t just charity—it’s an emergency. The traffickers don’t rest. Neither will we.

Are you ready to fight with us?

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