Editor’s note: The historic anti-slavery concern last weekend in Myanmar, also known as Burma, was made possible by a coalition of organizations, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). We invited USAID to reflect on what the concert meant for the modern abolition movement. Chris Milligan is USAID’s Mission Director in Burma. What a [...]

There’s a word that you don’t often hear at this time of year. But it’s a word that embodies how your concern for others is changing lives around the world. That word is TRIUMPH. When families in slavery break free and step into lives of fulfillment, it’s a TRIUMPH over the forces of bondage. When [...]

If you’ve ever wondered how far FTS co-founder Kevin Bales will go to end slavery, Sunday’s anti-trafficking concert in Myanmar will tell you. He’ll give the shirt off his back to spread the word that SLAVERY SUCKS. That’s literally what Kevin did for Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jason Mraz, who was ready to perform a first-of-its-kind anti-slavery [...]

We see slavery and trafficking stories throughout the world each week. It’s great news that journalists and bloggers are exposing the problem of slavery, and examining solutions to it. Awareness creates momentum for change. Here are 10 top stories that caught our eye: 1. Forbes. “Sweatshop: Exploiting Child Labor On The iPad.” http://www.forbes.com/sites/danielnyegriffiths/2012/12/11/sweatshop-littleloud-ipad/ 2. The [...]

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jason Mraz will headline a free outdoor concert in Myanmar this weekend to raise awareness about modern-day slavery and trafficking. His performance at the base of the Shwedagon pagoda in People’s Square in Yangon is believed to be the first international concert of its kind in Myanmar, according to the Associated Press (AP). [...]

Imagine a young girl who has run away from an abusive home and meets a man who promises to take care of her. He gives her food, shelter, and love. As this relationship develops, this man alters his role from caretaker and lover to pimp and controller. Suddenly, this young girl is transformed into a [...]

A roadmap to strengthen America’s efforts to combat modern slavery was delivered to the White House today. It’s called “The Path to Freedom.” It’s filled with dozens of specific recommendations for the Obama administration’s second term. The report was prepared by the Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST) a coalition of leading anti-slavery groups, [...]

At 8:32am on Wednesday December 7th, 2007, Polaris Project answered the first phone call on the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline. The night before, I hadn’t slept terribly well – knowing that all of our preparation for that first call would be put to the test.

When the phone finally rang, I [...]

We see slavery and trafficking stories throughout the world each week. It’s great news that journalists and bloggers are exposing the problem of slavery, and examining solutions to it. Awareness creates momentum for change. Here are 10 top stories that caught our eye: 1. The Financial Times. “Rescue team [Challenging Heights].” http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/bb065486-37e8-11e2-b8d3-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2EBsd2gA3 2. First Post [...]

The Client Services Office in New Jersey witnesses survivor strength and resilience on such a large scale that it routinely leaves staff and volunteers amazed and inspired. In an effort to acknowledge survivors’ triumphs, the New Jersey office created a Survivor Wall of Achievement. The wall serves to empower and encourage survivors to continue pursuing [...]

Lightning struck Manhattan last night. A good kind of lightning. The kind that sparks magic. It struck at the City Winery, scene of our first-ever benefit concert in New York. And it was breathtaking. Esperanza Spalding, a long-time FTS supporter, organized an unbelievable musical event to raise awareness about slavery and raise funds for Free [...]

When survivors of human trafficking are able to leave their trafficking situation, it is vital that they have access to services that will help them rebuild their lives. Legislation that supports victim assistance is an imperative step towards providing these services.

Holly Austin Smith, a survivor of child sex trafficking, described how these laws could [...]

A newly recognized form of slavery is gaining attention among activists, thought leaders and philanthropists. It is forced marriage, and it’s a problem in many parts of the world. FTS Co-founder Kevin Bales will be discussing forced marriage and other aspects of the modern abolition movement next week at the Trust Women conference in London. [...]

We see slavery and trafficking stories throughout the world each week. It’s great news that journalists and bloggers are exposing the problem of slavery, and examining solutions to it. Awareness creates momentum for change. Here are 10 top stories that caught our eye: 1. Senator John Cornyn [Press Release]. “Senate Passes Cornyn-Blumenthal Child Protection Act [...]

Take the Slavery Footprint survey to see how many slaves are working for you. Then take action to end it.

What is the greatest holiday gift you can imagine giving? How about freedom? That’s the gift Marie* received last year, thanks to your continuing support of Free the Slaves. Marie was a restavèk slave in Haiti. Restavèks are children sent away by impoverished families to live in wealthier homes. They work difficult and demanding jobs [...]

On a daily basis, survivors of human trafficking face a multitude of barriers which can hinder recovery from the traumatic experience. The Client Services office in New Jersey is finding that past convictions on clients’ criminal records is one of the largest barriers.  Some states, such as New York, have recognized this and passed legislation [...]

We’re all excited that Esperanza is arranging an evening of remarkable music on December 4th in New York to benefit FTS. Buzz is building in the media, too! We hope you can join us. There are still tickets available for the event at the City Winery. Esperanza just recorded a personal video invitation for her [...]

Here are a few reasons why A.K. has had us “Fallin” since she hit the scene in 2001.

Sometimes, there is only the smallest window of opportunity for a survivor of human trafficking to reach out to us at the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline (NHTRC). Perhaps, they find that one moment when a controller steps out of the house. Or maybe, a survivor emerges for just long enough for [...]

An armed rebellion is spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Rebel troops are attempting to expand the territory they hold. International aid organizations are evacuating personnel. There are serious concerns about the safety of DRC residents as the crisis deepens. You can take action to help. FTS has signed onto a campaign by [...]

It isn’t on America’s front pages, but there’s a dangerous situation unfolding at this moment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Rebel troops have captured the regional capital of Goma – a city of roughly one million people and the regional base of operations for most international development organizations in eastern DRC, including Free [...]

FTS considers all our donors and supporters to be heroes. We’re proud to report that CNN also recognizes one of them as a hero, too. Scott Strode, a longtime friend and supporter of FTS, has been named one of the 10 CNN Heroes for 2012. You can view Scott’s CNN Hero profile here, and vote [...]

We see slavery and trafficking stories throughout the world each week. It’s great news that journalists and bloggers are exposing the problem of slavery, and examining solutions to it. Awareness creates momentum for change. Here are 10 top stories that caught our eye: 1. ICE.gov. “ICE launches radio PSA outreach campaign to combat human trafficking.” [...]

If you live in the New York area, you know firsthand that climate change is affecting the intensity and frequency of severe storms. What you might not know is that slavery is part of the problem. You can learn about this connection, and other ways in which slavery creates environmental destruction, during a special presentation [...]