More Than A Survivor Photo Exhibit in the Rogue Valley

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1 More Than A Survivor Photo Exhibit in the Rogue Valley Overview The More Than a Survivor (MTAS) photo exhibit highlights 22 survivors of commercial sexual exploitation from the U.S. for their achievements beyond their experience as victims of sex trafficking. The MTAS exhibit will be on display in the Rogue Valley for a month... January 11 th through February 7 th, one week each in Ashland and Grants Pass, and two weeks in Medford. The event is organized and paid for by local Rotary clubs. The total campaign budget is $12,000, with nearly $6000 allocated for advertising and promotion. Survivor-leader Rebecca Bender a Grants Pass High School graduate who met her trafficker on the U of O campus before being sold for six years is featured as one of the 22 women in the MTAS campaign. The venues for the exhibit are Rogue Roasters in Grants Pass, the Rogue Valley Mall in Medford, and Southern Oregon University in Ashland. Note: January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month each Rogue Valley city and county has issued proclamations the past several years. Stakeholder Event Ms. Bender and Rotary will host a private invitation Stakeholder Event in Ashland during the month the MTAS Exhibit is on display. At this event, Rebecca will speak to how human trafficking affects rural communities like ours. Invitees will include leaders and influencers from each facet of our community... elected officials, school administrators, medical professionals, law enforcement, social service providers, foundations, judges, business owners, media, etc. Public Events In addition to the above Stakeholder Event, Rebecca Bender will hold 3 separate public events, each on-site where the MTAS Exhibit is being displayed at that time. This will be a unique opportunity for citizens of the Rogue Valley to learn even more about the growing problem of sex trafficking in rural America.

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5 The More Than A Survivor Campaign The More Than A Survivor: More Than A Story features a series of stunning portraits of 22 women from across the country who are all survivor leaders in a variety of venues. The More Than A Survivor photography exhibition honors their diversity, beauty, strength, and accomplishments and celebrates their present and their future. The exhibition is a powerful antidote to the stereotypes of commercially sexually exploited and trafficked victims perpetually broken and forever limited by their trauma. This traveling exhibition is also designed to be a poster series that will be utilized by youth serving agencies to inspire a tangible sense of hope and future for commercially sexually exploited and trafficked girls and women. The Survivor Leadership Institute GEMS Survivor Leadership Institute and Resource Center (SLI), supports survivors nationally by helping them to grow and to develop their leadership training, connect with one another, and educate and support allies to help foster significant progress in the movement to end commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. SLI is committed to developing authentic leadership roles and sustainable economic opportunities for survivors across the country both within and outside the movement. 1 Girls Educational and Mentoring Services

6 More Than A Survivor Traveling Deck Documents Installation Examples: 4 Girls Educational and Mentoring Services

7 Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS) About Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS) is the only organization in New York State specifically designed to serve girls and young women who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. GEMS was founded in 1998 by Rachel Lloyd, a young woman who had been sexually exploited as a teenager. GEMS has helped hundreds of young women and girls, ages 12 24, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and to develop to their full potential. GEMS provides young women with empathetic, consistent support and viable opportunities for positive change. Mission Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS) mission is to empower girls and young women, ages 12 24, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential. GEMS is committed to ending commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of children by changing individual lives, transforming public perception, and revolutionizing the systems and policies that impact sexually exploited youth. Vision GEMS vision is to end the commercial exploitation and trafficking of children. Philosophy We believe that all young women have great beauty and worth, and the potential for future success. The voices and experiences of youth survivors are integral to the development and implementation of all GEMS programming. 6 Girls Educational and Mentoring Services

8 History GEMS, was founded in 1998 by Rachel Lloyd, a young woman who had been sexually exploited as a teenager. Ms. Lloyd came to the U.S in 1997 as a missionary to work with adult women exiting prostitution. While working with adult women in correctional facilities and on the streets, Ms. Lloyd observed the overwhelming need for services for young women at risk for sexual exploitation who were being ignored by traditional social service agencies. It became clear that specialized services were essential for this disenfranchised population. From a one-woman kitchen table project, GEMS has grown to a nationally recognized and acclaimed organization and now is one of the largest providers of services to commercially sexually exploited and domestically trafficked youth in the US. GEMS advocates at the local, state and national level to promote policies that support young women who have been commercially sexually exploited and domestically trafficked. 7 Girls Educational and Mentoring Services

9 About the Photographer J. Shotti, is a visual artist who prefers photography as his main medium of expression. In his five years as a professional freelance photographer, he has worked with brands like Viacom, Universal, Nike and Versace. Along with the GEMS: "More Than A Survivor" traveling exhibit, he is currently working on several projects to showcase his skills. In October of 2014, he will release his first photo book, "EVERY TWO WEEKS" ( which is a collection of instant film stories shot over a span of two weeks. He is also working on a limited edition of collage art print pieces. Only 25 copies of each piece will be made. About the MTAS project: "I'm extremely proud and in admiration of GEMS and all of the work that they do. I was honored to be selected as the photographer for this project because I understand how important the MTAS campaign is to survivors all across the globe and how it redirects the stigma commonly associated with commercially sexually exploited and trafficked victims. Additionally, this project was fulfilling to me because I got to photograph 22 of the most amazing women whose display of strength, beauty and accomplishment are something young women, and even boys, can view forever and have etched into their minds." 8 Girls Educational and Mentoring Services

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