Stop The Traffik's Jen Conlan Tells Us Why Even Saving One Life is Crucial
Bristol and South West regional co-ordinator, Jen Conlan tells Editor, Emma why a visit to Cambodia meeting children and youngsters rescued from trafficking, helped form her passion to work for 'Stop The Traffik'. "I was haunted by what I heard. There is no other way to describe it. When I came back to the UK I began to hear stories of girls that had been groomed here, and teenagers being found in brothels and warehouses. I was so overwhelmed but getting involved in the campaign was my way of trying to help and see change."
Tell us about yourself Jen.......
I am 26 years old and live in Bristol and I work part time for Stop The Traffik. I have lived most of my life in the South West, as I grew up in Somerset and have worked in Bristol as a youth worker before going on to this. I am a very passionate person but have recently joined the rest of society in trying to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle, however my sewing still needs work but I did manage to get potatoes, onions and tomatoes from my garden!
Stop The Traffik is an international organisation, with this in mind 
how does it work with localised representation in Bristol?
Stop the Traffik firmly believes that human trafficking begins and ends in a community. Human trafficking is sadly not limited to a few countries far away but happens all over the world, in cities and in rural areas. It therefore will not subside until it is challenged, and it needs a local response. It needs neighbours who have been worried about a property on their street, that they suspect may be a brothel, but never see the girls to tell the police.
It needs people to choose Fairtrade, and ask for it in shops and cafes, to put pressure on multinationals to change their ethics in production.
It needs everybody everywhere to stand up and say a human life is not up for sale. Just 2 weeks ago I was sitting with my parents in a caravan and we were watching the Channel 4 Documentary ‘Catching Britain’s Sex Traffickers’ and on there was mentioned streets in Taunton that we all know...So localised representation is really the main way that Stop The Traffik works.
In Bristol we have a few groups known as Active Communities Against Trafficking They raise awareness and funds for projects that work in this area, but they do it locally with the support of the police and UK Border Agency. They know their communities best, and they know what works so it makes sense to do it in that way.
Do you have localised aims for the South West?
When I meet with other regional coordinators for the campaign we are all so aware how different each region is but the aims are still similar, it tends to be the style that changes.
Our Aims are always that more people would be aware not only of the problem, but the problem locally and who they can contact if they suspect anything. To raise funds for projects which are working to both prevent and protect victims of human trafficking.
It is not the easiest thing to raise funds for - it doesn’t have the ‘cute’ factor that a animal home does, and most people don’t want to talk about it, especially sex trafficking. So we are always looking for ways to get into the community, and the community aspects is maybe the biggest difference about working in the South West. I have found that be working with what already works in a community is always the best way in the South West.
How did you get involved in working for Stop The Traffik?
I did my degree in International development and have always been interested in human rights campaigns, but when I visited a project in Cambodia and talked to children and young people who had been trafficked, I was haunted by what I heard. There is no other way to describe it. But when I came back to the UK I began to hear stories of girls that had been groomed here, and teenagers being found in brothels and warehouses. I was so overwhelmed but getting involved in the campaign was my way of trying to help and see change.
I started volunteering about 4 years ago, and running events at Uni and it has just gone on from there.
Why do you believe so passionately in working for this organisation?
Because it works, because we are always hearing stories of change, and although they may seem small, they are changing individuals lives. I was with another campaigner in London in a corner shop buying milk when a policeman stopped us because he had seen our hoodies and asked if we could help with two girls they had found locked in a flat. Each human being counts and is valued, and that is what this campaign is all about, and why I, and so many others are involved.
Why should we all support your organisation? And sign the online petition?
Well why not, if you could speak out for someone else, if you could challenge the way others are being treated, if you could see positive and life giving changes happen for another…why wouldn’t you. Your signature and your voice make a difference - and as Christians it really isn’t too hard to see that this is part of following Christ.
What do you hope Stop The Traffik will achieve in the future?
I would love to see more companies make bolder moves to make sure there are production lines are traffic free, although the moves of Cadbury and other companies have been an encouragement, they are barely a touch on what needs to be done.
I would also love to see more local groups set up that really see change in their community.
What are your current projects?
At the moment we are trying to encourage groups of people to do a sporting activity in aid of one of our partners who all work in trafficking hotspots using education as a tool for prevention of trafficking for young women. It doesn’t need to be big just get moving for the freedom of others! To find out more Click Here.
We also have a global education resource called ‘Start Freedom’ which is great for secondary schools to use, to be able to share with young people about the issue and how students can be actors for change.
Do you yourself undertake special fundraising projects for your organisation?
Earlier this year I ran the Bristol 10k for freedom ticket for life, which for me was my Everest! so I am pleased I managed it! I am hoping to do some more activities in the future, but there is also a few of us in Bristol who do events called ‘switch or stitch’ which is a fundraising clothes swap and a place to sew and alter clothes. If you are interested in coming along you can email me on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it