In 2001, Freedom Network USA was established by advocates working directly with survivors of the first cases prosecuted under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. Our founders brought together decades of experience in immigrant rights, women’s and children’s rights, legal and social services, migrant farmworker advocacy, and human rights activism. They knew that human trafficking is a human rights issue and formed a network based on the following principles:Â
- All human beings have the right to live free from forced labor;
- All trafficked persons have rights, even if they are undocumented; andÂ
- All trafficked persons have the right to become empowered by receiving culturally sensitive, victim-centered services, support, and training.
20 years later, we are still fighting for our core values and reexamining the way we work. We are bigger, stronger, and more determined than ever to support survivors and change the systems that allow trafficking to thrive. This year, we took some bold steps:
- We released our position paper, Preventing Sex Trafficking Requires the Full Decriminalization of Sex Work, based on years of intentional intersectional work with sex trafficking survivors and sex worker rights advocates (and those who identify as both).
- We called out the horrific impact of the racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, homophobic, and transphobic policies and actions that were enacted under the previous Administration and demanded a downgrade of the US’ ranking in the Department of State's annual Trafficking in Persons Report.Â
- We have committed to becoming an anti-racist organization. Racism is a root cause that fuels human trafficking and impacts how survivors are treated when seeking assistance. We must ensure that our people, our policies, and our programs are engaged in anti-racist work.
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Today, we're asking if you'll help us continue this fight by becoming a monthly donor. A monthly donation will help us train professionals to identify and serve survivors, advocate for better legislation to protect survivors, and make sure survivors' voices are represented at every level of the movement.Â
Help keep our fight alive for another 20 years and ensure all trafficking survivors have access to justice, safety, and opportunity. Become a monthly donor today!
In partnership,
Jean Bruggeman
Executive Director
Freedom Network USA
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