11/11/2009

in

Singer sheds new light on victims of sex-trafficking with re-release of "This Is to Mother You."

Robyn Chelsea-Seifert

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Sinead O'Connor is putting her song, "This Is to Mother You," off the 1997 "Gospel Oak" album, to good use. The singer has recorded a new version to help anti-sex trafficking organization Girls Education and Mentoring Services (aka GEMS) raise awareness about the rise in child prostitution in America.  
  
GEMS' central focus is on helping and supporting young girls in North America whohave become the victims of sex-trafficking. The organization rescues girls, provides safe homes for them, arranges counseling and helps with education and training opportunities. GEMS also provides outreach programs to local law enforcement to better understand the victims of child trafficking.  
  
O'Connor was approached by the organization who believed the song would be the perfect symbol to spearhead a campaign to raise awareness and funds surrounding their cause. Mary J. Blige was suggested as a collaborator on the track and was very enthusiastic about joining the project that was produced by Doc McKinney and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (of A Tribe Called Quest fame).  
  
O'Connor was honored to be part of a movement that would raise awareness and help young women. She admitted to Spinner that while the song means something different to her, the strong theme of survival is an important one.  
  
"I myself am a survivor, not of sex trafficking but of severe child abuse. So this is obviously a subject that I can identify with when it comes to young girls trying to get out of bad situations and make a good life for themselves. To me, the song was a part of me talking to me."  
  
"This Is to Mother You" will be released digitally on Dec. 2 with proceeds benefiting GEMS' Girls Fund.