Traffickers steal more than a person’s labor and wages, they attack a victim’s basic humanity. They spit on the enslaved. They beat them. They’re assaulted sexually. The slaveholder’s goal: force people to give up hope.
Our message to those is slavery is simple: rewarding work and a fulfilling life are possible once again. By helping the enslaved understand and exercise their rights, we help people regain control and respect. Dignity begins with freedom.
Our community-focused strategy goes beyond freeing individuals from inhuman conditions at mines, factories, plantations, construction sites and brothels. We help entire communities to organize and advocate for better living conditions and police protection. Residents form special vigilance committees that transform a village or neighborhood into a no-go zone for traffickers.
As we approach the year-end holidays, I hope you will take a stand for human dignity. Slavery is history’s greatest crime, and it still has 40 million people in its grasp. At Free the Slaves, we won’t rest until everyone, everywhere can say that slavery is a thing of the past. Please help us get to that day.
Visit our special It Starts With Freedom webpage to stay in touch with our fall campaign.