The Epik Project, a non-profit organization with a mission of disrupting and dismantling the sex trafficking industry is launching a charity event campaign titled the 'Hard Road Campaign' on September 1st, 2020.
August 29, 2020 —
Tom Perez, the founder of The Epik Project will ride his bicycle 1,000 miles from Washington to Montana to raise funds and awareness for survivors of human trafficking. The Epik Project and their partners at Innovations Human Trafficking Collaborative want people to know that “indigenous women are 2.5x more likely to experience sexual violence than any other group of women in America, and that they face murder rates 10 times higher.” IHTC, founded by Indigenous Survivors of trafficking, offers leadership development programs for survivors and more.
Tom founded The Epik Project in 2012 after learning about the realities of sex trafficking from survivors. Today The EPIK Project has grown into a national grassroots effort in supporting over 250 volunteer men in 14 American cities and they are leaders in combatting the demand for sexual exploitation. When a survivor escapes a life of exploitation, they are faced with the arduous journey of rebuilding their lives. This is Tom’s inspiration for embarking on this Hard Road Campaign. He rides in honor of survivors and their resiliency.
Tom will ride through Washington, Idaho and Montana on this 15-day solo bicycle journey averaging between 50 and 80 miles a day. He will be meeting with local tribes in every state, conducting media interviews and broadcasting on social media with survivor leaders and experts in human trafficking from all over the country.
Human trafficking is an issue that exists in every state in America. This awareness campaign will highlight how Indigenous populations are particularly affected by this horrific crime. Cyclists from all over the country are joining Tom virtually and choosing to ride in their own communities in solidarity with Tom. Currently the campaign has raised over $43,000 in its efforts to raise $100,000. Raising funds for survivors of human trafficking is more important than ever. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, there has been a 40% increase in calls since the shelter in place orders due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Contact Info:
Name: Lauren Trantham
Email: Send Email
Organization: The Epik Project and Ride My Road
Website: http://www.epikproject.org/thehardroad
Release ID: 88974682
