Advocate with Purpose

Join the fight to end human trafficking and violence

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The impact of your advocacy

When you donate to (or fundraise on behalf of) Dressember Canada, you are part of a strategic anti-trafficking partnership with IJM Canada. We are intentional in ensuring your gifts are applied directly to efforts aiding the fight for freedom to maximize vital support in three impact areas around the world.

PREVENTION

Stopping it before it starts.

We know that trafficking rarely occurs as a lone injustice; it is an intersectional human rights issue preying on individuals with compounding vulnerabilities. With your help, we are preventing trafficking by equipping and training local leaders as well as reforming legal systems in the communities most at risk of trafficking.

INTERVENTION

Reaching those in need.

Intervention means working locally to remove child victims of trafficking from exploitative situations, as well as providing support and exit pathways for trafficked adults. Intervention involves working with local partners and law enforcement to identify victims, bringing children and families to safety, and collecting evidence for a strong case against traffickers.

SURVIVOR EMPOWERMENT

Comprehensive care for survivors.

We know that everyone’s journey is different and each survivor deserves unique, individualized treatment. Dressember Canada provides survivors around the world with holistic support including access to housing, medical treatment, trauma therapy, vocational opportunities, education, and more.

How the Style Challenge Works

Every December, advocates from all over the world pledge to wear a dress or tie for the 31 days of December. We’ve had over 21,000 people join us since 2013. Some plan their outfits ahead of time, others challenge themselves to wear the same dress or tie during the whole month, and others enjoy mixing and matching with things in their closet each morning. That’s the beauty of the challenge: you make it your own.

Rest assured, you do not need to go buy a whole new wardrobe to participate. Part of the fun is using what you have right where you are. Simply create your own campaign page to get started!

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More than an awareness campaign

According to the International Labour Organization, human trafficking is a $150 billion dollar industry. Our goal is to disrupt it.

What may seem like a silly style challenge, has collectively raised over $18MM to fight human trafficking around the world. When enough people use their voices to advocate for change, things begin to shift. Dressember is much more than an awareness campaign; we’re a social movement rooted in the belief that all people deserve to be free. Help us send the message to traffickers everywhere that we’re not going anywhere.

Join now

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How it started:

In 2009, Dressember Founder Blythe Hill challenged herself to wear a dress every day of December (hence: Dressember). Each year, more and more people joined in until Blythe’s one-person challenge blossomed into an international movement to fight human trafficking. In the 11 years since Dressember first started, the campaign has generated over $20 million toward this fight and partnered with dozens of incredible organizations to directly impact the lives of thousands of victims and survivors.

When you fundraise with Dressember, you are a part of strategic local and international impact.

200K

  Supporters since 2013

CA $27M

  Total raised since since 2013

19

  Countries impacted

26

  Historical Partners around the world

Join the movement. Together, we can do more.

Learn more about our story

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Ready to join the fight?

Dressember welcomes year-round support in the fight against human trafficking. Follow the links below to make a general donation, become a monthly supporter, or participate in our annual campaign.

Make a Donation

Dressember welcomes any opportunity to assist our partners in the fight against human trafficking. Follow the link below to make a general donation.

DONATE

Become an Advocate

Every year during the month of December you have the chance to link arms with fellow advocates to raise money and awareness for the fight against global human trafficking.

Sign Up

Donate your big day!

Birthdays, anniversaries, even wedding registries are great avenues to create an impact. Donate your special day to the cause and invite your friends and family to contribute in lieu of presents!

Set up a facebook fundraiser

Become a year-round supporter

Join a powerful community of advocates and donors furthering the work and impact of the Dressember Foundation through monthly giving.

Join

Dressember FAQs

+ HOW DOES DRESSEMBER RAISE MONEY, AND WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

Every year thousands of people from all over the world take on the challenge of wearing a dress or tie every day of December to fight all forms of human trafficking. All month, those who participate spread the word about what they're doing and why, compelling others to contribute to the cause by making a monetary contribution. We partner with International Justice Mission (IJM) to resource programs that prioritize addressing human trafficking systemically. With over 25 years of experience and global reach, IJM is an organization that partners with local governments, non-profit organizations, and corporations to combat human trafficking and violence against women and children around the world. IJM has a proven track record of significantly reducing rates of human trafficking in regions where they have worked, and we rely on IJM’s deep expertise to identify and invest in the most effective programs that will achieve measurable impact.

+ I don't have enough dresses or ties to participate.

That’s okay! There are so many creative ways to participate without spending an extra dime. Some people wear the same outfit for the whole month, others participate in clothing swaps with family and friends. For those who are willing to spend a little money to expand their wardrobe, shopping secondhand at thrift or consignment stores is a wonderful way to change up your closet in an ethical and economical way. Dressember is about feeling empowered to make an impact however you can!

+ I work remotely or am home during the holidays, no one will see me in a dress.

Not a problem. Many of our advocates do a majority of their fundraising completely online. We’ve seen people post outfit of the day photos, get ready with me videos, and so much more! Plus, our Fundraising Toolkit makes it super easy to share pre-made content with lots of statistics, images and other resources included for your use. For example, our toolkit includes e-mail templates so that you can connect with anyone without needing to be in-person.

+ I can't commit to a one-month long challenge.

You can still participate! Some advocates choose to dress up for only a few specific days throughout the week. But if that’s still a little bit more than you’re able to do, there’s another option for you. It’s called Dressember for a Day! For those who can’t participate the whole month, Dressember For A Day is an amazing alternative that allows even more people to make an impact. We’ve even created a whole range of resources specifically for Dressember For A Day that are included in the fundraising toolkit! You’ll have everything you need to have a meaningful and impactful day of fundraising and raising awareness.

+ I still have questions!

We’d love to answer them! You can send an email to hello@dressember.org with any questions or comments you might have, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can! If you still want to learn more, you can also check out ijm.org or dressember.org for more info.

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