“The Cupcake Girls is a non-profit, non-religious and non-political organization that provides support for sex workers and sex trafficking survivors,” Sarah Lindley, a doctoral student in Economics said. “We provide support, we do not save.”
Lindley has been donating since she was 18.
“My area of focus for school is very different from my volunteer work,” Lindley said. “Working as a volunteer is a huge grounding experience and my favorite way to balance my research with being a part of the national community, which means I don’t foresee myself stopping my volunteer work anytime soon.”
Lindley started volunteering after the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act and the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (SESTA/FOSTA) bills were passed in 2018.
“For those unfamiliar, these bills were meant to crack down on sex trafficking, but only served to limit the safety of sex workers by prohibiting sex work online,” Lindley said.
This forced sex workers to move client acquisition to in-person meetings, Lindley added.
Lindley said the most important thing for readers to know is that there is a big difference between sex workers and sex trafficking survivors.
“Sex workers are those individuals that are in control of who they share their body with, how they share it, and who has ownership over money earned,” said Lindley, “On the other hand, sex-trafficked individuals do not have this control over their bodies nor the money they earn, often as the result of coercion, threats, and abuse.”
“The Cupcake Girls is the only organization in the country that distinguishes between the two, which matters for the way client needs are handled,” Lindley said.
The organization makes money to support clients through individual donations, Lindley explained.
“We just finished our annual fundraising campaign, which directly goes toward resources such as mental health, emergency housing, and other important services for our clients across the country,” Lindley said.
For those who want to donate, you can do so here.
“Being a part of a community of such lovely people that genuinely care about others is such a constantly inspiring environment,” Lindley said, “and I try to foster that in the volunteers that I lead as well.”
If you are interested in volunteering and want to learn more, that information can be found here.
