World Day Against Trafficking in Persons: Colabo’s Fight Against Sex Trafficking
Today, on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we honor the courage and resilience of frontline groups working to end the sexual exploitation of women and girls around the world. One such group is Colabo, a women-led organization in Japan protecting women and girls from being trafficked who are exploited in one of the world’s most economically advanced yet under-acknowledged trafficking hotspots. Founded by activist Yumeno Nito, Colabo runs mobile outreach, night patrols, and a safe space for at-risk women and girls, many of whom are runaways or survivors of abuse in places like Tokyo’s entertainment districts.
Colabo has faced relentless online harassment and political pushback, but they continue their work with integrity and strength. In July 2024, the Tokyo District Court ruled in favor of Colabo in a defamation case against an individual who had published false and harmful claims through blog posts and YouTube videos. The court recognized misogyny as a motive behind the attacks. Colabo welcomed the ruling as precedent-setting for civil society organizations in Japan, particularly those facing online harassment.
Members of Colabo at their press conference last week.
Just last week, several media outlets published the names and faces of four women arrested in Shinjuku for allegedly engaging in prostitution. Colabo condemned the coverage in a press conference, urging reporters to treat the women as victims of trafficking, not criminals. They’re pushing for legal reform by calling for a revision of Japan’s Prostitution Prevention Act that punishes prostituted women and adopting the Equality Model, which targets buyers and traffickers, not those exploited. While most outlets removed the articles, two continue to reveal the women’s identities.
Your support makes it possible for us at Frontline Women’s Fund to support the work of fierce groups like Colabo as they confront a multi-billion-dollar industry that profits from the exploitation of women and girls. On this day of global reflection and action, we invite you to stand with survivors, and with the fearless frontline groups fighting to end sexual exploitation.