The Sound of Freedom movie, is a 2023 released film based on a true story. It’s a powerful call to action to confront the harsh realities of human trafficking.
As the credits roll, we have the opportunity to channel our shock, horror and sadness about the reality of child exploitation, and take tangible steps to make a difference in the world.
So, you watched the Sound of Freedom, now what? Four things you can do to take a stand in the fight against human trafficking.
1. Invest in Restoration
When the credits start rolling in the Sound of Freedom, that’s when the survivor’s journey to restoration begins.
It can take months and years of patient, dedicated support for a survivor to process their trauma, reconnect with family and community, and gain the skills to rebuild their lives. And that’s for those who are rescued and referred to care. Most survivors of human trafficking do not receive any care at all. Only 0.67% of all survivors globally get any support after they’ve been trafficked.
As a global community, we face an urgent call to action. Every survivor deserves the help they need to heal, be empowered, and rebuild their lives.
The slow (and sometimes tedious) work of restoration is what it takes to facilitate a survivor’s long-term recovery and well-being. Trauma counseling, case management, medical care, vocational training, family reunification, and legal support. It’s the day in and day out support that makes a real difference.
Hagar is one of many organizations in the trenches providing this level of care for survivors. Time and time again, we’ve witnessed remarkable transformation. When we walk the whole journey of restoration with each individual, survivors can and do overcome the unimaginable.
We have seen women and children courageously confront their stories of trauma, reintegrate into their communities with dignity, and use their voices to protect others from the horrors they have faced.
Investing in survivor restoration creates a ripple effect of change.
2. Educate Yourself
While the Sound of Freedom movie provides a powerful representation of human trafficking, it’s essential to delve into the issue deeper to really understand it. Educate yourself further about the complexities of human trafficking, the root causes, and the current state of the problem globally and locally through the resources and links below:
🌏 More than 60% of all human trafficking and modern-day slavery occurs in the Asia Pacific region
📈Human trafficking and modern slavery have grown by 20% in the past five years.
🚩The crime of human trafficking happens everywhere – no country or region of the world is immune.
🧸 1 in 4 victims of human trafficking is a child
♀️ 70% of survivors are women and girls
🛒 Slavery is threaded through the products and services we rely on every single day
Here are some resources that will help you dig deeper:
Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy
Hagar’s Human Trafficking Action Guide
Walk Free’s Global Slavery Index
US Department of State TIP Report
3. Shop Ethically
The latest Global Slavery Index reports that G20 countries import billions of dollars in goods tainted by slavery every year. Human trafficking and exploitation are threaded in the clothes we wear, the food we eat and the tech we use every day. One way to combat this after watching the Sound of Freedom is to make ethical purchasing decisions.
Buy less, buy second-hand, and support companies and products with transparent supply chains.
4. Prevent trafficking in your community and beyond
The Sound of Freedom depicts one powerful story of human trafficking. Right now, millions of other trafficking and modern slavery stories are unfolding across the globe. No country or region of the world is immune. Spend time learning how it happens in your community and then be vigilant and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
USA Anti-trafficking hotline: 1-888-373-7888
Canada Anti-trafficking hotline: 1-833-900-1010
The more people are aware of the issue and know the signs, the more we can stop it before it even starts.
Let the Sound of Freedom inspire you to take meaningful action, whether through raising awareness, supporting organizations, or preventing human trafficking at home and beyond. Together, we can transform the echoes of freedom into a resounding call for a world free from the chains of human trafficking.
