Outland Denim is encouraging conversations and awareness around human trafficking today in line with the United Nations Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
The brand – which began with the mission to train and employ women who have previously been exploited – is encouraging consumers to take a stand against human trafficking.
Outland Denim has posted to its Facebook and Instagram pages encouraging followers to share its post.
Its post on Facebook has received 61 shares in three hours, while its Instagram post has garnered 158 likes since posting four hours ago.
Forced labour – including commercial sexual exploitation and forced economic exploitation – is estimated to be worth US$150 billion by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The ILO also estimates that 21 million people across the globe are trapped in modern slavery, trafficking and forced labour.
On the Outland Denim website, director of communications Erica Bartle said in a moving journal entry that the numbers don't convey the severity of the issue.
"Statistics sometimes can't convey the gravity of a problem, nor the impact on an individual.
"But when you listen to Nadia Murad speak at the UN General Assembly about her experience as a sex slave at the hands of ISIS, you know that this is not some made up thing.
"It is the same when you hear the stories of some of the women employed by Outland Denim.
"Human trafficking is a human rights violation. It is taking away the freedom of another for your own personal gain. It is ugly and demonstrative of just how debased humanity can be.
"We have always taken care at Outland Denim to not over-sensationalise the issue, to protect the women we employ who have experienced exploitation from re-traumatisation, and to ensure that they are not re-exploited in any way by partnering with us.
"Outland Denim exists to address a considerable human rights issue in a very tangible way: we are about opportunity," she said.
In a statement on its website the UN said that in 2019 it's important for citizens to call their governments to action.
"On this World Day against Trafficking in Persons, let us reaffirm our commitment to stop criminals from ruthlessly exploiting people for profit and to help victims rebuild their lives.
"Despite many countries having national trafficking laws in place which are in line with the UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol, people continue to be trafficked.
"What is more, in many countries, victims may still be criminalised while the impunity of traffickers prevails.
"Therefore, on the 2019 World Day UNODC is focusing on highlighting the importance of government action in the interest of victims of trafficking.
"But the call to action is not only to governments, we encourage everyone to take action to prevent this heinous crime."
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is held on July 30.