Have you come across the movie, Sound of Freedom? It’s playing now (at least in the USA, if not in limited release theaters in other lands as well) to large crowds and has received critical acclaim from many. It’s a movie about human trafficking – and it’s quite impactful. First question: Have you seen it yet and what did you think? Second question, were you clear what to do as a result of having watched it? Obviously, we can give money to support those trying to end it – but aside from giving funds and praying, did you feel a clear direction about action steps? Finally, any other thoughts or steps come to mind as a result of watching it. Learn more at https://www.angel.com/watch/sound-of-freedom.
5) What’s Next After “Sound of Freedom?”
What to do? In addition to what the movie said, the Department of Homeland Security has free training … https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign … to help Christian people identify the signs of human trafficking.
Take the training.
A trafficking survivor was rescued because a person in Oklahoma saw the signs and made the report.
#SeeSomethingSaySomething
I’ve seen it a couple times. Very moving, well done, and confrontational. Like suddenly becoming aware of a holocaust right under your nose that you were seemingly oblivious to only 90 minutes ago.
I printed up little flyers to hand out at the end of the movie with a “How to Help” list including:
Prayer, prayer groups to focus on prayer, offering prayer to organizations involved in rescue
Contacting legislators – give them a free ticket, raise awareness, ask what they are doing to expose child sex trafficking in our state, etc.
Talk to your pastor and elders – give them free tickets, ask them to go, ask for a church evening or even Sunday morning to address the topic of child sex trafficking AND PORNOGRAPHY, where it starts!
Distribute the Operation Underground Railroad HOTLINE number: 800-378-7888
Buy and wear O.U.R. Product to raise awareness.
Talk about it with your children. Bring them to the movie and explain what is happening, including the pornography.
Yes, and donate to OUR, and other organizations in this fight already… better yet, volunteer your time to run switchboards, get training, grunt work, anything
Thanks for sharing information abot this disturbing yet inspirating and very important movie.
–Note on the film’s web section at the Angel Studios’ website that there is a sction with several suggestions to “Join the Fight Against Child Trafficking.” https://www.angel.com/blog/sound-of-freedom/posts/sound-of-freedom-join-the-fight-against-child-trafficking
–See also and share the Trailer for the movie
https://www.angel.com/watch/sound-of-freedom/episode/5fb9fa7e-73c0-4731-b20d-64b046c46012
–One imprtant caveat–whatever type of corruption is confronted–and human trafficking and child sex trafficking are absolutely corrupt–there are risks to many people involved. It is not like we can simply go up to some authority and let them know that something bad is happening. In many places the corruption and criminality are so entrenched and systematic and structural that authorities will either look the other way or perhaps retaliate.
–For example you might wwant to see the Global Integrity Day 7 June 2023 website under the “Featured Resources” section for May 2023 (on the home page) to learn more about two examples of Christians who were “martyrs” who defended human rights and confronted corrption in Central America (including in Tegucigalpa where some of the movie takes place) and paid with their precious lives https://sites.google.com/view/global-integrity-day/
–I recall a soberingly poignant line from the academay award-winning film Spotlight which dealt with exposing child sexual abuse in th RC Church ‘If it takes a community to raise a child then it also takes a community to abuse a child.’ Corruption in all its forms if rife with complicity-coverups-cowerdice (we call these and diagram them as the “tri-mangles” of corruption)
–See also the powerful film Whistleblower which takes place in a UN Peacekeeping context in the Balkans.
–Note that in addition to member care and mental health in mission we are (of necessity!) working collaboratively on integrity-anti-corruption in general and within the international church-mission community.
Please do what you can prudently and in solidarity with experienced others!
If that is Kelly O’Donnell of the MHIN (Mental Health Innovators) then that is high praise.
Yes….go see it and takes others as we did.
The annual World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is approaching–30 July! (now in its 10th year and organized by the United Nations and observed by many organizations and people). The theme this year is “Reach Every Victim of Trafficking–Leave No One Behind.” More info on the UN web site.
https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-human-trafficking-day?gclid=Cj0KCQjwk96lBhDHARIsAEKO4xbMUSIsmhLiMn3g3YmR7j5HWMKju1RBf6vw1mvUO-1VM3MUTFpchQEaAlI7EALw_wcB
Note the International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that about 50 million peoplea are in forced labor or forced marriage and nearly 5 milion women and grls are exploited via forced commercial sex (2021). More stats and a short overview video are on the ILO website.
https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced-labour/lang–en/index.htm#:~:text=Facts%20and%20figures,22%20million%20in%20forced%20marriage.
Thanks to all for the helpful suggestions in response to Doug’s question,” what next?” To add to the resources for the US context already mentioned, the US Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has a series of short educational videos that orient viewers to the different “Faces of Human Trafficking” with accompanying materials like “Fact Sheets” and a discussion guide. These can be used in a variety of settings, including churches and community centers. https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/human-trafficking/faces-of-human-trafficking
Note too, the film’s website also has training links offered by the organization Polaris (https://polarisproject.org). However, most of the resources mentioned in the comments and on Angel.com are not appropriate for children. Angel Studio’s PG -13 rating for the film should be taken seriously.
Another great option is to invest in fruitful ministries in this area. The Tim Tebow Foundation is doing great work – as are the better known organizations like the International Justice Mission and the A21 Campaign.