Fashion-focused Australians Challenged to get “Dressy” for Dressember – and Help Fuel the Fight Against Exploitation of Women and Children

Global advocacy movement Dressember is back with flair in its 12th year, driving a mission that’s as stylish as it is powerful: to end human trafficking worldwide through the force of fashion.

Organisers have this year supercharged their challenge to Australians to “frock up” and rally friends and followers to join the movement.

By getting “dressy” – wearing a dress or a tie every day of December (or for just one week) – supporters will use their outfits as conversation-starters to raise awareness and funds to fight exploitation, of which women and children are most often the victims.

Dressember has united advocates across more than 100 countries, raising over $31 million AUD to fund rescue missions, legal support, and prevention programs globally.

Long-time Dressember champion Brisbane-based advocate Natasha Krelle said: “Historically dresses have represented fragility, weakness and inequality, but to me Dressember recreates the dress to be a symbol of strength, power and freedom. It upholds the inherent dignity of all people, particularly those trafficked and enslaved. It’s a fight for the dignity and freedom of women, children and families everywhere who have been trafficked.”

Every dollar raised supports International Justice Mission (IJM) – one of the largest anti-trafficking organisations in the world – and its powerful efforts to protect people in poverty from violence.

More than 10,000 people were rescued from exploitation through IJM-supported programs last year alone.

Grace Wong, IJM Australia’s Chief Advocacy Officer said: “Having worked directly with survivors of trafficking and slavery, I know there is nothing harder than coming back from a place where you have been undone, unseen and under-valued. IJM presses for change at a systemic level, within legal systems, and also for individual change, walking with survivors from the moment they are identified by law enforcement, to the point of restoration.”

Media: Briony Camp │ [email protected] │ 0468 308 696