LAS VEGAS - Sleep accessories supplier Malouf's 2nd Forging Freedom event this year offered its partners, colleagues and market attendees an update on the impact made by money raised at the January event.

In January, the Forging Freedom fundraiser brought in more than $120,000 to help children trapped in commercial sexual exploitation.

“The generosity of those in the industry allowed us to rescue 55 children and arrest 24 people during seven operations in Cambodia and the U.S. over the past few months,” said Jenni Morse, law enforcement and outreach coordinator for Operation Underground Railroad. “Some of the funding also enabled us to further our goals of educating the public on how to spot the signs of exploitation.”

During one of the operations in Cambodia, officials were able to rescue 15 girls who had been taken from their homeland in China and Malaysia.

“In Utah, where I am based, we were able to use the additional funding to arrest 130 people over the past six months,” said Jessica Farnsworth, commander for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. “We were also able to assign victim advocates to help with healing.”

CEO Sam Malouf said education is key to raising awareness of how to stop the cycle. “We are asking those in the industry to sign our pledge to help stop trafficking and exploitation,” said CEO Sam Malouf. “Our goal is to educate travelers, business people, RSAs and delivery drivers about how to recognize these signs and make an enormous impact.”

The Malouf Foundation also announced the website debut of its OnWatch training program that educates people to recognize the signs of human trafficking – and to know how to respond when they see something. You can find out more online.

“To fight this, we need a revolutionary movement,” said Jake Neeley, communications director at Malouf. “Currently only 1% of children are rescued. We hope that by working together, we can see the signs and stop the cycle.”