MONTREAL, June 6, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Beacon of the Freed proudly launches its "Buying Sex is not a Game" campaign, intended to raise awareness among the general public and visiting tourists of the often-invisible, but devastating, consequences of sexual exploitation. During major events, such as those held in Montreal throughout the summer, the high demand for sexual services grows at an alarming rate. This campaign, which is mostly Internet-driven, directly targets potential clients. Once again this year, we have received funding from the Secrétariat à la condition féminine du Québec to run this campaign and send a clear message.
The campaign, launched a few days before the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal – an international sporting event sadly recognized as one of the most harmful in terms of human trafficking – combats the normalization of sexual exploitation and educates the public about its consequences. This shock video, filmed in the style of a popular television program, is a complimentary creation of Luminance Studio that uses the absurd to make people aware of the hidden reality faced by victims of sexual exploitation. In a seemingly light but very sarcastic tone, the video captures the viewer's attention through its dynamic qualities and humorous tone, and then goes on to reveal the stark reality.
Actors Louis-Philippe Berthiaume and Christopher Hall have agreed to lend their voices (in French and English, respectively) to this project. Through the use of online positioning and broadcasting strategies, the video will show up in search results for certain keywords associated with sexual exploitation, and will be displayed in other ways. It will also be circulated through Facebook, YouTube and various partners.
"Beacon of the Freed is not taking a stance in the debate on prostitution. We want people to understand that no-one knows what part of prostitution is in fact sexual exploitation, but clients cannot make the distinction. So when you buy sex, you run the risk of exploiting a woman, man or child and causing them grave harm, even if you do not see it," says Nathalie Khlat, President of Beacon of the Freed.
The following organizations are supporting the campaign in a spirit of solidarity: Quebec Native Women Inc., Marie-Andrée Fogg, Attorney, Legal Aid Office – Immigration Law, Children's care International, YWCA Montreal.
Beacon of the Freed is a non-for-profit that raises awareness of present-day slavery among governments, organizations and the general public, through concrete and comprehensive actions, so that this issue is acknowledged and the fight to end it is organized and effective. Social intervention, prevention and training services are also available.
SOURCE Beacon of the Freed
Source and Media Relations: Nathalie Khlat, President, Beacon of the Freed, 514-291-6613, [email protected]
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