Purple Teardrop Campaign Order Form
Our aim is to spread the Purple Teardrop message as far and as wide as we can. We invite Soroptimists to hold workshops and seminars, distribute posters and sell Purple Teardrop pin-badges in their local communities so as to raise awareness and much needed victim support funds.
View our Order Form here and to place an order, print and complete the form and forward with your cheque to the address shown.
2009 Poole Swimarathon
Poole Lions Club ran a very successful Poole Swimarathon in association with Soroptimist International of Poole and Poole Bay Rotary Club on 7 and 8 February 2009 at the Dolphin Pool, Kingland Road, Poole.
This year’s sponsorship will help locally based charities:
Julia’s House, mobile bus appeal
Victoria School, helping children with disabilities
Youth Cancer Trust, providing therapeutic breaks for young adults
Poole Young Carers
Purple Teardrop Campaign, providing safe house accommodation for trafficked women
Teams of 6 from local schools, clubs and businesses each swam for just under an hour - our own Soroptimist Team swam a very acceptable 37 laps. Poole Soroptimists were joined by colleagues from other Southern Region clubs including Paralympic Games swimmer Rosalinda Hardiman. During her swimming career, Rosalinda has broken 4 world records and been a member of 2 relay crossings of the Channel - we were therefore particularly honoured that she was able to participate in this year’s Poole Swimarathon.
Project SIerra
President Penny Bartlett and Programme Action Officer Helen Kanolik were delighted to welcome Anne MacDonald OBE, Quadrennial Project Liaison Officer, to Soroptimist International Poole’s October 2008 programme action meeting.
Soroptimist International Poole has already made a donation to Project SIerra and is continuing to fund raise for the project through President Penny’s year.
Anne described Sierra Leone in some detail. It is amongst the world’s poorest nations and still under recovery from the civil war which destroyed its infrasture and left its population with desperate problems - half the population is aged under 15 years, life expectancy is 41 years and 25% of children don’t live to see their 5th birthday.
She really brought the project alive for us, explaining how our project partner, Hope and Homes for Children oversees the work which is all done by local people to help build the local skills base.
Project SIerra comprises 3 separate projects:
Integrated Child and Family Support
Many children live with elderly and frail grandparents or in single parent families. Using a model of care pioneered in Rwanda, families are assessed for their most urgent needs and are helped to have a means of income. Over 200 families which include 1,000 children are benefitting from this work
Young Mothers
This part of the project helps young, single mothers to reintegrate with their families or to become independent community members through vocational training
Street Children
More than 50 children are currently being helped in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. Every endeavour is made to reunite children with their family, some of the most vulnerable children being aged as young as 6 years.
Everyone can help Project SIerra by coming along to our fund-raisers, the next being our Wimborne St Giles teas on 23 August.
Fab Frocks Fashion Show
Soroptimist International Poole was delighted to welcome over 200 guests to its Fab Frocks Fashion Show held on 16 October at Poole Grammar School.
On arrival, guests were given a goody bag, courtesy of Brittany Ferries, a glass of wine - our thanks to Dolphin Hypnotherapy - and a delicious freshly baked flapjack from Nutrichef. Before the show and during the interval, there were more than 20 table top shops to browse with beautiful shoes, jewellery and accessories as well as Traidcraft goods, Barford Farmhouse Icecreams and greetings cards and pictures from entrepreneurial 12 year old Chris Rodgers.
Compere John Billington and Soroptimist International Poole President Penny Bartlett gave guests a warm welcome. But the stars of the evening were undoubtedly the models and Fab Frocks’ stunning collection of daywear, wedding outfits and beautiful party and evening dresses. Our thanks go not only to Fab Frocks but to the models from Debbie J Boyes Professional Mortgage Advisors, Virgin Vie at Home and Liz Lean PR Consultancy.
Particular thanks go to Steele Raymond Solicitors who sponsored the show, and to the Mayor of Poole, Councillor Mrs Joyce Lavender who took part in a colour analysis by House of Colour. Guests also enjoyed a dancing demonstration from the ‘Still Alive and Still Jiving’ dance group which included 2 Poole Soroptimists.
The most poignant point of the evening were 2 real-life cameos of trafficked women, the issue at the heart of Soroptimist International Poole’s Purple Teardrop Campaign. Fab Frocks’ beautiful Purple Rain collection highlighted the campaign and Soroptimists’ determination to stop human trafficking and support its victims.
We were then treated to a very glamorous grand finale from Fab Frocks and the evening closed with a superb raffle with many prizes donated by local companies including BMI Harbour Hospital, Caesar’s Bistro and MopHair Salon whose Nick Norman dressed the models’ hair for the show.
All proceeds from the show are for Project SIerra, the Purple Teardrop Campaign and President Penny’s charities, the Jigsaw Appeal (Blood Cancer and Disorder Appeal, Royal Bournemouth Hospital) and Harbour Challenge (encouraging confidence in local children and teenagers through watersports activities).
Purple Teardrop Campaign - How You Can Help
Human Trafficking and the Purple Teardrop Campaign
www.purpleteardrop.org.uk
Order Purple Teardrop Campaign posters, pin-badges and our CD to help raise awareness and fund-raise for victim support.
Read our latest Purple Teardrop Campaign Newsletter.
Human trafficking has overtaken even drugs trafficking in terms of scale. It is a global issue and the consequences for its victims are dire.
Soroptimist International of Poole launched its Purple Teardrop Campaign against Human Trafficking to over 70 leading figures from Poole and Dorset andSoroptimists from across the South of England at Upton House, Poole on 22 September.
The evening’s speakers brought 3 important perspectivesto the issue. Carol Freeman of CHASTE told the audience about the sheer scale of the problem and emphasised how changes in attitude and law can deter traffickers.
Carol’s hard-hitting statistics reminded us that 80% of trafficking victims are female, and 50% of those children.
We were delighted to welcome Sister Ann-Teresa, Founder of the Medaille Trust, who shared with us how the Trust was formed and organised. Her insights into the lives of the women supported at the Trust’s safe houses highlighted how trafficking affects people from many nations and its devastation to their lives. One victim was just 16 years old and, having been snatched by traffickers as an infant, had known no other life.
On a positive note, Sister Ann-Teresa advised that the Trust now successfully operates a network of moving-on accommodation as part of its comprehensive support and care programme.
The third speaker, DI Guy Shimmons from Dorset Police brought a local perspective to the evening and made the audience aware of the trafficking crimes that are committed in Dorset.
DI Shimmons’s examples highlighted the scale and complexity of trafficking organisations and the tenacity of some of the perpetrators.
In conclusion, the club’s Immediate Past President, Pauline Monk, invited all guests to pledge their support to the Purple Teardrop Campaign, which was met with generous enthusiasm.
YOU CAN HELP the victims of human trafficking through Soroptimist International of Poole’s Purple Teardrop Campaign by:
- Committing to display and sell a box of 100 Teardrop pin badges. All proceeds will help to identify, find and support human trafficking victims
- Displaying our posters
- Fund-matching our pin badge sales
- Giving financial support for the campaign start-up costs.
If you’re able to help, please e-mail enquiries@sipoole.org.uk
Here are some facts about human trafficking:
According to Article 3, paragraph (a) of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children (the Palermo Protocol) which supplements the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime:
“Trafficking in persons” shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.”
What is trafficking?
A $32 billion annual industry, trafficking is a type of slavery that involves the transport or trade of people for the purpose of work. According to the UN, about 2.5 million people around the world are ensnared in the web of human trafficking at any given time.
Trafficking impacts people of all backgrounds, and people are trafficked for a variety of purposes. Men are often trafficked into hard labour jobs, while children are trafficked into labour positions in textile, agricultural and fishing industries. Women and girls are typically trafficked into the commercial sex industry ie prostitution or other forms of sexual exploitation.
Not all slaves are trafficked, but all trafficking victims are victims of slavery. Trafficking is a particularly cruel type of slavery because it removes the victim from all that is familiar to her, rendering her completely isolated and alone, often unable to speak the language of her captors or fellow victims.
What is sex slavery/trafficking?
Sex trafficking or slavery is the exploitation of women and children, within national or across international borders, for the purposes of forced sex work. Commercial sexual exploitation includes pornography, prostitution and sex trafficking of women and girls, and is characterized by the exploitation of a human being in exchange for goods or money. Each year, an estimated 800,000 women and children are trafficked across international borders-though additional numbers of women and girls are trafficked within countries.
Some sex trafficking is highly visible, such as street prostitution. But many trafficking victims remain unseen, operating out of unmarked brothels in unsuspecting-and sometimes suburban-neighbourhoods. Sex traffickers may also operate out of a variety of public and private locations, such as massage parlours, spas and strip clubs. Adult women make up the largest group of sex trafficking victims, followed by girl children, although a small percentage of men and boys are trafficked into the sex industry as well.
Where do trafficked people come from?
Trafficking migration patterns tend to flow from East to West, but women may be trafficked from any country to another country at any given time and trafficking victims exist everywhere. Many of the poorest and most unstable countries have the highest incidences of trafficking, and extreme poverty is a common bond among trafficking victims. Where economic alternatives do not exist, women and girls are more vulnerable to being tricked and coerced into sexual servitude. Increased unemployment and the loss of job security have undermined women’s incomes and economic position. A stalled gender wage gap, as well as an increase in women’s part-time and informal sector work, push women into poorly-paid jobs and long-term and hidden unemployment, which leaves women vulnerable to traffickers.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Thailand, China, Nigeria, Albania, Bulgaria, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine are among the countries that are the greatest sources of trafficked persons. The UNODC cites Thailand, Japan, Israel, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and the United States as common destination countries of trafficked women and girls.
Who trafficks women and girls?
Organised crime is largely responsible for the spread of international human trafficking. Sex trafficking-along with its correlative elements, kidnapping, rape, prostitution and physical abuse-is illegal in nearly every country in the world. However, widespread corruption and greed make it possible for sex trafficking to quickly and easily proliferate. Though national and international institutions may attempt to regulate and enforce anti-trafficking legislation, local governments and police forces may in fact be participating in sex trafficking rings.
Why do traffickers traffic? Because sex trafficking can be extremely lucrative, especially in areas where opportunities for education and legitimate employment may be limited. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the greatest numbers of traffickers are from Asia, followed by Central and South-Eastern Europe, and Western Europe. Crime groups involved in the sex trafficking of women and girls are also often involved in the transnational trafficking of drugs and firearms, and frequently use violence as a means of carrying out their activities.
One overriding factor in the proliferation of trafficking is the fundamental belief that the lives of women and girls are expendable. In societies where women and girls are undervalued or not valued at all, women are at greater risk of being abused, trafficked, and coerced into sex slavery. If women experienced improved economic and social status, trafficking would in large part be eradicated.
How are women trafficked?
Women and girls are ensnared in sex trafficking in a variety of ways. Some are lured with offers of legitimate and legal work as shop assistants or waitresses. Others are promised marriage, educational opportunities and a better life. Still others are sold into trafficking by boyfriends, friends, neighbours or even parents.
Trafficking victims often pass among multiple traffickers, moving further and further from their home countries. Women often travel through multiple countries before ending at their final destination. For example, a woman from the Ukraine may be sold to a trafficker in Turkey, who then passes her on to a trafficker in Thailand. Along the way she becomes confused and disoriented.
Typically, once in the custody of traffickers, a victim’s passport and official papers are confiscated and held. Victims are told they are in the destination country illegally, which increases victims’ dependence on their traffickers. Victims are often kept in captivity and also trapped into debt bondage, whereby they are obliged to pay back large recruitment and transportation fees before being released from their traffickers. Many victims report being charged additional fines or fees while under bondage, requiring them to work longer to pay off their debts.
Trafficking victims experience various stages of degradation and physical and psychological torture. Victims are often deprived of food and sleep, are unable to move about freely, and are physically tortured. In order to keep women captive, victims are told their families and their children will be harmed or murdered if they (the women) try to escape or tell anyone about their situation. Because victims rarely understand the culture and language of the country into which they have been trafficked, they experience another layer of psychological stress and frustration.
Often, before servicing clients, women are forcibly raped by the traffickers themselves, in order to initiate the cycle of abuse and degradation. Some women are drugged in order to prevent them from escaping. Once “broken in,” sex trafficked victims can service up to 30 men a day, and are vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infection and unwanted pregnancy.
Who purchases trafficked women and girls?
Many believe that sex trafficking is something that occurs “somewhere else.” However, many of the biggest trafficking consumers are developed nations, and men from all sectors of society support the trafficking industry. There is no one profile that encapsulates the “typical” client. Rather, men who purchase trafficked women are both rich and poor, Eastern and Western. Many are married and have children, and in some cases, men have sex with trafficked girls in lieu of abusing their own young children.
One reason for the proliferation of sex trafficking is because in many parts of the world there is little to no perceived stigma to purchasing sexual favours for money, and prostitution is viewed as a victimless crime. Because women are culturally and socially devalued in so many societies, there is little conflict with the purchasing of women and girls for sexual services. Further, few realize the explicit connection between the commercial sex trade, and the trafficking of women and girls and the illegal slave trade. In Western society in particular, there is a commonly held perception that women choose to enter into the commercial sex trade. However, for the majority of women in the sex trade, and specifically in the case of trafficked women and girls who are coerced or forced into servitude, this is simply not the case.
In addition, sex tourism-that is, the practice of travelling or vacationing for the purpose of having sex-is a billion dollar industry that further encourages the sexual exploitation of women and girls. Many sex tours explicitly feature young girls. The tours are marketed specifically to paedophiles who prey on young children, and men who believe that having sex with virgins or young girls will cure sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Often, these men spread HIV and other STDs to their young victims, creating localized disease epidemics.
What is the impact of sex trafficking?
Trafficking has a harrowing effect on the mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of the women and girls ensnared in its web. Beyond the physical abuse, trafficked women suffer extreme emotional stress, including shame, grief, fear, distrust and suicidal thoughts. Victims often experience post-traumatic stress disorder, and with that, acute anxiety, depression and insomnia. Many victims turn to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain.
Sex trafficking promotes societal breakdown by removing women and girls from their families and communities. Trafficking fuels organised crime groups that usually participate in many other illegal activities, including drug and weapons trafficking and money laundering. It negatively impacts local and national labour markets, due to the loss of human resources. Sex trafficking burdens public health systems. and trafficking erodes government authority, encourages widespread corruption, and threatens the security of vulnerable populations.
2010 Calendar of Events and Meetings
Monday, 22 March 2010
Main Club Meeting
Harbour Hospital
St Mary’s Road
Poole
BH15 2BH
Optional supper (£10) at 6.30 for 6.45pm. Meeting starts at 7.45pm. Programme action projects for 2010/2011 and officer nominations
……….
Monday, 12 April 2010
Programme Action Meeting
Poole Police Station
Wimborne Road
Poole
BH15 2BP
Tour of the new Poole Police Station at 7pm, followed by programme action meeting at 7.30pm at the station
……….
Monday, 26 April 2010
AGM
Harbour Hospital
St Mary’s Road
Poole
BH15 2BH
Optional supper (£10) at 6.30 for 6.45pm. AGM starts at 7.45pm
……….
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Fund Raiser
Wimborne St Giles Village Hall
Located just north of Wimborne - BH21 5ND for your sat nav
Come and enjoy a delicious afternoon tea in this beautiful Dorset village. Homemade cakes, tray bakes and cream teas plus sandwiches. All proceeds to charities and humanitarian causes supported by Poole Soroptimists
Volunteers in Action
Soroptimist International of Poole works in conjunction with other voluntary organisations within the Borough of Poole via the over-arching Volunteers in Action group.
Dolphin Boat
SI Poole is represented on the Friends of Dolphin committee by one of its long-standing members. Friends of Dolphin provides Poole Harbour trips on especially adapted vessels to disabled visitors.
In June 2007, the charity saw its 30,000th passenger which was marked by a special celebration onboard the Dolphin attended by he Mayor of Poole.
Friends of Dolphin have a full programme of fund-raising which this year included a concert by the Royal Marine Association Concert Band on Sunday, 7 September at the Lighthouse, Poole.
Housing Association
Soroptimist (Poole) Housing Association owns and manages two houses in Poole for active, elderly residents.
The management committee comprises current and previous Poole Soroptimist members.
In April 2008, residents, committee members and guests celebrated the completion of the refurbishment of the top floor of Phyllis Feistner House, Parkstone.
International Goodwill and Understanding
Promote peaceful conflict resolution, inter-cultural and inter-racial tolerance and condemn genocide and terrorism.
Project Sierra
SI Poole is committed to supporting Soroptimist International’s global quadrennial project, Project Sierra. Project Sierra is a 4 year partnership between Soroptimist International and Hope & Homes for Children which aims to raise more than £1m to help transform the lives of some of the world’s most deprived women and children, in Sierra Leone.
Soroptimist International of Poole has a full programme of fund-raising in 2009/10 and the club is committed to providing a further donation, in addition to that already made, to Project Sierra in the coming year.
In addition to keeping up-to-date with the project within the wider Soroptimist community, Poole Soroptimists are committed to taking the project forward in terms of awareness and support into the local community.
Soroptimist International Poole’s Save the Children representative is holding a fund raising evening on 2 November. All proceeds to Save the Children.
We support Landmine Action, as witnessed by our Walk without Legs event in 2007.
SI Poole has friendship links with SI Brussels Iris, SI Hagen, SI Kandy and SI Newtownards.
Environment
Mitigate the effects of climate change and integrate sustainability into personal choices and government policies and programmes.
Dorset Wildlife Trust, Beach Cleans
Club members regularly participate in Dorset Wildlife Trust’s beach cleans at Worbarrow Bay and Kimmeridge on the beautiful Dorset Jurassic Coast.
Dorset Wildlife Trust, Schools Art Competition
Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) and SI Poole joined forces to run a Schools Art Competition for Keystages One and Two children in Poole. The competition challenged children to produce a piece of art about Poole Harbour and over 120 entries were received from schools across the borough.
On 26 November 2008, Amanda Cooke, DWT’s Education Officer, and Penny Bartlett, President of SI Poole, were delighted to present prizes to the winning entrants at the DWT Urban Wildlife Centre in Corfe Mullen near Wimborne.
The winning artwork was on display at the Centre and the children were praised for their creativity - winning entries included collages, paintings and pen drawings. A special prize was awarded by Sara Welton, DWT Trustee and Poole Harbour Commissioner, for the best marine life entry to highlight the Harbour’s diverse fauna.
The lovely picture shown here is of crows flying over Poole Harbour.
Collectors Table
At every main club meeting, members bring re-cycled items for re-use including plastic bottle tops, used stamps, unwanted foreign coins, pens and pencils, old greetings cards, redundant mobile phones, used computer cartridges, second-hand spectacles and raffle ticket strips.
Agenda 21
The club has representation on Poole’s Agenda 21.
Litter Picking
SI Poole club members regularly litter pick in the Broadstone area of Poole
Education
Ensure equal access to education and training for women and girls throughout their lifespan.
Out of Afrika
SI Poole provides financial support for a female student in Kenya to enable her to complete her secondary school education. The support is given via Poole-based charity, Out of Afrika, run by a former Soroptimist.
SI Kandy
SI Poole is delighted to be co-sponsoring school lunches for children in Sri Lanka, a project being run by its new friendship link, SI Kandy.
Mamelodi Village
Our Honorary Member, Mary Gerrard, is holding a coffee morning on 15 August to fund raise for Mamelodi Village in South Africa. It is home to more than 160 orphaned and abandoned children and provides support and education in a nurturing environment.
The Big Read
SI Poole supported the Big Read earlier this year and collected more than one thousand books destined for the children of Sierra Leone.
Health
Support programmes and policies that eliminate HIV/AIDS, maleria, tuberculosis and other major diseases.
Races for Life
Every year, members of SI Poole take part in the Races for Life in Poole and Bournemouth to raise funds for Cancer Research. 2009 has been no exception and 2 members have participated and raised over £300.
MOSAIC
In 2009/10, SI Poole is fund-raising for President Janice’s chosen charity, MOSAIC. Margaret Hannibal and Tricia Williams from MOSAIC spoke at the May business meeting, informing members that they have supported 90 families with bereaved children to date.
Arthritis Research Campaign
ARC is one of President Janice’s charities for which Poole Soroptimists are fund-raising 2009/10.
Water Aid and Aquabox
SI Poole supports Water Aid and each year the club provides at least one fully equipped Aquabox, each member providing at least one item.
Born Free from HIV
A coffee morning was held at a member’s home on 9 August 2008 and raised over £250 for UNICEF’s Born Free from HIV appeal. For just 68p, babies from HIV infected monthers can receive treatment to be born HIV free. Claire Chauncy from UNICEF was the speaker at the club’s May programme action meeting when members had the opportunity to view UNICEF’s Born Free from HIV video and learn more about the programme.
Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal
SI Poole club members assist the annual Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal at locations in and around Poole.
Fistula Foundation
For the past 2 years, SI Poole has supported the International President’s Appeal for the Fistula Trust in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Chest Help
SI Poole makes regular donations to Chest Help, a Bournemouth-based charity that supports local people with TB.
Human Rights and the Status of Women
End human trafficking and all forms of violence against women and girls.
Medaille Trust
Soroptimist International of Poole supports the annual Lions Poole Swimarathon. To-date, the club has donated £8,000 to the Medaille Trust from Swimarathon proceeds. The Medaille Trust provides safe house accommodation and support for trafficking victims.
Sister Ann-Therese from the Medaille Trust spoke at the Purple Teardrop Campaign launch at Upton House on 22 September.
The next Lions Poole Swimarathon is on 6 & 7 February 2010.
Poole Refuge
Poole Soroptimists support Poole Refuge through the donation of toiletries, cleaning materials and quality household items.
With the proceeds from the Wimborne St Giles afternoon teas on 22 June 2008, the club purchased duvets for the Refuge.
Members received an update on Poole Refuge at the main club meeting on 24 November 2008 when we were delighted to have been joined by The Worshipful Mayor of Poole, Councillor Mrs Joyce Lavender.
Southern Region AGM
The focus of last year’s Southern Region AGM on 20 September was on violence against women.
Human Trafficking, our Purple Teardrop Campaign - the Background Story
Over the past 2 years, SI Poole has donated £8,000 to the Medaille Trust, specifically to support its Hampshire safe-house for human trafficking victims. The funds came from the 2007 and 2008 Lions Poole Swimarathon which SI Poole helps to organise and run.
From the discussion at the club’s programme action review in early 2008, it was very clear that the membership wished to not only fund-raise for victim support but also raise public awareness of human trafficking and, if possible, take further, more direct action.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Bartlett from Dorset Police came to speak to the club about Pentameter 2 in Dorset. DCI Bartlett’s information about human trafficking in Dorset helped the club to inform itself and gave the membership the opportunity to ask Dorset Police how the club could best provide practical local assistance to help combat trafficking in Dorset.
There appear to be specific trafficking hotspots in both Bournemouth and Weymouth. Additionally, the latter is the designated venue for sailing events at the 2012 Olympics and the club had already identified that this might well be a catalyst for an increase in trafficking problems.
More detailed discussion took place at subsequent club programme action meetings and the idea of a 3 strand project emerged. The 3 proposed strands were:
• A purple ribbon campaign, following on from the purple ribbon campaign by European and latterly Yorkshire Soroptimists
• A sticker campaign aimed at men, with a confidential phone number to call to report any concerns or suspicions regarding trafficked prostitutes
• An advertising campaign in newspaper escort columns, again aimed at men and providing a confidential phone number. This project strand has since been dropped - the Newsquest Group no longer publishes an escort column
Members volunteered to work in 3 groups to take each strand forward:
• The group working on the ribbon campaign researched on the web for suppliers and, having identified all the major UK charity badge organisations, contacted them for samples. The initial thought was to purchase purple enamel pin-badges and quotes were requested and obtained.
Group members contributed draft artwork and text for the badge boxes and backing cards. Importantly, the draft design comprised 3 half-faces, one European, one Asian and one Afro-Caribbean, each with a small purple tear which President Penny Bartlett decided to enlarge to create more impact, by chance in a different shade of purple.
The supplier with the keenest quote was selected and the draft artwork and text sent to them. Their design team was very helpful and made 2 key suggestions. Firstly, that the boxes and pin-badge backing cards would look more professional and make a stronger visual statement if the half-faces were photographs rather than sketches. And secondly, that the campaign would be more distinctive and hopefully more successful if the badges were a 2 tone purple teardrop rather than a purple ribbon.
Using her personal network, Immediate Past President Pauline Monk was able to obtain appropriate photographs, although it was a long process to select those that we felt made the correct impact. The photographs were subsequently put into a variety of designs and again, after a lengthy process, the final design for the pin-badge backing card for presentation to the club was agreed.
In the meantime, pin-badge backing card text was also worked up to a final draft.
At the club’s July programme action meeting, the designs and text were put to the whole membership and agreed. Funding was also confirmed and the club placed an order for 5,000 teardrop badges, each being pinned to a backing card and individually wrapped, plus 50 boxes.
A firm commitment had been made by 24 local organisations to each display and sell a box of 100 teardrop pin-badges even before they were delivered.
The suggested donation for each badge is £1. The proceeds from pin-badge sales are to go to support for safe houses for trafficking victims and to fund the other strands of the project.
It had already been noted that Yorkshire clubs had run a successful sticker campaign. Stickers had been placed in men’s toilets to raise awareness that some prostitutes are trafficking victims. The Yorkshire clubs were very helpful in providing samples of their artwork.
However, the members working on this part of the project preferred to work on new wording. Assistant Programme Action Officer Sue Peck obtained samples and prices of various types of stickers.
A local councillor, Daniel Martin, had attended the initial meeting where DCI Bartlett had spoken about Pentameter 2. Councillor Martin committed to help our campaign and was asked if Poole Borough Council would allow the stickers to be placed in the borough’s public men’s toilets. Unfortunately, the reply from the manager responsible for Poole’s public toilets was negative. There was concern that this campaign would set a precedent and that other organisations would demand that their stickers also be placed in the borough’s toilets. Additionally, the manager was worried that the stickers would cause paintwork damage when they were eventually removed.
The group therefore decided that A4 posters would be considered more acceptable and, at the club’s July programme action meeting, the text for the posters was agreed plus it was agreed that the same 3 half-faces would be featured. The posters include a Crimestoppers phone number to report suspected trafficking victims.
5,000 posters were ordered. The group drew up lists of organisations and venues to be approached and considered the idea of a high profile distribution across the borough over one or two days.
We would like to formally thank SI Southampton for introducing us to the Medaille Trust, SI Bournemouth for confirming that we may contact businesses within their Bournemouth ‘patch’ and SISE PAC Officer for their support to date.
It was felt that the Purple Teardrop Campaign would have a greater chance of success if a high profile launch was held.
A committee was set-up headed by Immediate Past President Pauline and arrangements rapidly put in hand for the launch on 22 September at Upton House drawing room. The committee drew up a programme, as follows:
7pm, doors open. Guests completed a trafficking awareness questionnaire, and perused display material.
7.30pm. Following President Penny’s formal welcome, there were speakers from the Medaille Trust, CHASTE and Operation Pentameter 2. Immediate Past President Pauline advised guests how they and their organisations could participate in the Purple Teardrop Campaign, and a question and answer session followed.
9.30pm. Evening closed.
A comprehensive invitation list was drawn up to include locally based companies, local authorities, public agencies and like-minded organisations.
The event committee prepared a leaflet/programme and a pledge form, plus adapted an existing trafficking awareness questionnaire.
Human Trafficking, our Purple Teardrop Campaign - 2009
Our Purple Teardrop Campaign has gathered momentum following the September launch. Not only has Louis de Bernieres agreed to be the Campaign’s patron but we have also formed a partnership with the Blue Blindfold Campaign, the government’s initiative against human trafficking.
We are rolling the campaign out and encouraging other Soroptimist clubs to raise awareness of human trafficking within their local communities. The materials needed to do so can be ordered from us. See www.purpleteardrop.org.uk
Locally, we have held awareness-raising events at Poole Stadium on International Women’s Day, at Poole’s Dolphin Shopping Centre and at Bournemouth University to mark Not For Sale Sunday. We had a stand at the Dorset WI Conference and have spoken at front line worker seminars and with local voluntary groups such as Rotarians.
Economic and Social Development
Eliminate poverty and gender discrimination through ensuring women’s full social and economic rights.
Project Sierra
SI Poole is committed to supporting Soroptimist International’s global quadrennial project, Project Sierra. Project Sierra is a 4 year partnership between Soroptimist International and Hope & Homes for Children which aims to raise more than £1m to help transform the lives of some of the world’s most deprived women and children, in Sierra Leone.
Soroptimist International of Poole has a full programme of fund-raising in 2009/10 and the club is committed to providing a further donation, in addition to that already made, to Project Sierra in the coming year.
In addition to keeping up-to-date with the project within the wider Soroptimist community, Poole Soroptimists are committed to taking the project forward in terms of awareness and support into the local community.
SI Poole is represented on the Mayor of Poole’s Christmas Parcels Fund and on Save the Children. On a personal level, members support Fairtrade, give donations and sign petitions.
Programme Action
The members of Soroptimist International of Poole are working on a comprehensive programme of AWARENESS, ADVOCACY AND ACTION in 2008/9 across the organisation’s 2007/11 objectives.
Members meet on the second Monday of each month to work on the club’s programme action - see club diary.
Contact Us
For more information on our work and events, and details of how to join SI Poole, please email us at enquiries@sipoole.org.uk
How to Join
We welcome enthusiastic women in management, business and the professions based in or near Poole who want to participate in our projects that support and empower women worldwide. If you are able to give a commitment of time and energy, have skills and knowledge that you would like to use outside the workplace, and are wanting to meet like-minded women, then we hope you will contact us with a view to coming along to one of our meetings and getting to know us better.
Poole Club has a supper meeting on the 4th Monday of each month for business and to listen to a speaker on topics of interest. See Club Diary details. Members enjoy a variety of activities - serious and rewarding work (see our Programme Action page) and also social and convivial events that are often part of our fund-raising programme. See Club Events details.
For further information about Soroptimist International of Poole and how to join, please email enquiries@sipoole.org.uk with your name and phone number, and our Membership Officer will contact you.
President’s Message
A warm welcome to the web pages of Soroptimist International (SI) Poole. Chartered in 1952, our Club has been active in the community of Poole for the last 57 years. It has a wide catchment area and members come from as far afield as Dorchester and Wimborne as well as from Poole itself.
The focus for our activities this year is caring for a diverse community reflecting the aims of Soroptimism, the diverse projects that we are involved in and the charities that we are raising funds for.
My chosen charities are MOSAIC and the Arthritis Research Campaign. MOSAIC is a local charity which provides bereavement support for children and young people, and which works with the whole family to help them come to terms with their loss. The Arthritis Research Campaign is a national charity which funds projects to find new answers to both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. With two new knees and one new hip, I have a vested interest in helping to find new treatments that will prevent the need for such major surgery.
We will continue to raise awareness of the plight of victims of human trafficking through our Purple Teardrop Campaign, selling teardrop pin-badges and working in partnership with other organisations with complementary objectives. Our Purple Teardrop Campaign patron, Louis de Bernieres, helps us to raise the profile of our project and achieve our objectives.
We have started a new project to support one of our friendship links, SI Kandy in Sri Lanka, who provides provide school lunches for 75 children each day to help them through their studies. Our club will also continue to raise funds for Project SIerra, keeping the issues of women and children in Sierra Leone in the public domain.
Fund-raising this year will be a challenge given the current financial climate but our social committee has planned a busy and exciting calendar of events that will allow us to have fun and also raise much needed money. Following our successful fund-raising events, Entertainment through the Ages, Exchange & Smart, our Quiz Evening, our New Year Feast and our popular Silent Auction, our next fund-raiser is our Wimborne St Giles afternoon teas event on 23 May in the village hall of this beautiful Dorset Village.
To find out more about Soroptimist International Poole, keep reading and if you are interested in becoming a member or would like to support one or more of our events, please contact us as enquiries@sipoole.org.uk
President Janice Gosby
SI Poole, April 2009
Updated February 2010
Club Officers
Janice Gosby - President
Penny Bartlett - Immediate Past President
Kate Dukes and Liz Rodgers - Presidents Elect
Helen Kanolik - Programme Action Officer
Kate Dukes - Hon Secretary
Carol Thomas - Hon Treasurer
Penny Bartlett and Janice Gosby - Regional Representatives