The Authentic Sound of Freedom
The authentic sound of freedom is heard every time a survivor becomes self-sufficient, earning a sustainable wage, and literally dances in the tears of joy that flow when they get to finish their education or achieves a hard-won dream.
The authentic sound of freedom reverberates through the soul of a survivor when they are unconditionally loved and is the magical sound of peals of laughter from a survivor who is no longer afraid of reprisal.
The authentic sound of freedom is a teenager, reading a victim impact statement in a packed courtroom as their trafficker awaits sentencing. And it echoes through capital halls each time proper legislation is passed, and training of that legislation is given to judges and prosecutors across that state.
The authentic sound of freedom is the very music created when an individual has escaped the deep emotional bondage and revels in the beauty of living with choices and opportunity, AND it is the sound trumpeted through each subsequent generation every time a survivor overcomes the intense trauma, brainwashing, and bondage sustained from their trafficking experience.
The authentic sound of freedom is heard when communities rally to support children and families with vulnerabilities that make them prime targets of traffickers. It’s what fuels the hearts of every person who walks alongside survivors empowering them along their journey.
The authentic sound of freedom is a people and a government that values children as precious individuals rather than possessions, it’s heard when men stand up against this hypersexualized culture that commodifies our people, and rings loudly when every individual is afforded the same rights, dignity, and respect as everyone else.
The authentic sound of freedom is actually a low, gentle rumbling carrying us through the long, painful, and tedious journey of healing that we cannot ignore IF we want to experience the fullness of freedom's magnificent crescendo.
Sound of Freedom debuted on July 4 across the country. I have been asked many times my thoughts on the movie and also had numerous people tell me of its existence. I will not attempt to create a detailed response to a movie I have not yet seen, however, I will say, as both a professional in the fight and a survivor of sex trafficking, though I’m always thankful when anyone begins to care about this appalling issue, I have also been nervous at the incredible response. Don’t get me wrong, all of us fighting this fight long for everyone to truly understand what is happening, the ramifications of it, and to join the fight. I simply fear the sheer number of people seeing it will cause the work that has been done in the anti-trafficking movement over the last 15 to 20 years to trend backwards. I fear it will throw us back to the era when people equated human trafficking with the movie Taken.
That would be exponentially detrimental.
You see Human Trafficking in the United States does not look like the movie Taken nor what appears to be depicted in the movie Sound of Freedom simply because it looks different in each community and country.
Does kidnapping happen, absolutely! Do some victims experience, being bound or caged, absolutely! Are there instances when victims are recovered because law enforcement had to break in and "rescue" them? Yes....it's simply not the norm, it is in fact a tiny percentage and does not represent the vast majority of human trafficking in our country.
Additionally, it’s important to remember this movie is about human trafficking in another country. And while it is egregiously horrific, when any human being’s freedom is taken, the reality is most victims of trafficking are citizens of that country.
Are victims transported across borders...yes. But over 83% of those victimized by human trafficking in the U.S. are United States citizens.
If I’m honest, the other thing that bothers me is the incredible response to the horrors of human trafficking and the sensationalism of it all. The very need and deep desire for the shock and awe turns my stomach. Please hear me…I’m not trying to throw stones at you or anyone else. As humans, we seem to have a natural bent to want to know all the details and be shocked and appalled at the degree of depravity that can exist. But trust me…you do not want to know the depths of evil most of us are exposed to. Please just believe us, and partner with us in ending this travesty.
If we truly want to hear the sound of freedom wash across our country and our world, we need to roll up our sleeves and address the demand for commercial sex, cheap labor, significant vulnerabilities, and cultural norms that feed human trafficking.
There are dedicated individuals who have moved the grievous issue of human trafficking to the forefront of our society’s consciousness without craving accolades for doing so. They've accomplished this with blood, sweat, and tears, and a passion to fight the horrific injustice, all while also addressing cultural norms, that need to be changed because they have fueled the commodification of our citizens.
Please remember there is an incredibly fine line between telling your part in someone else's story and telling their story for them, and one that must be navigated well by all of us, especially those of us dedicated to serving survivors of human trafficking. As a survivor and advocate, I strongly believe it is a consummate privilege to walk alongside any person on their journey to healing and freedom, and while doing so, we maintain the most strict confidentiality, respect for autonomy, and patience as they learn to live in the truth of their intrinsic value as free human beings.
Survivors of human trafficking have had every single solitary thing taken from them. From the ability to decide what they will eat, where, or when they will sleep, when they will get up, to when they will work, and when they get to talk. If they have the miraculous advent of surviving human trafficking, then they should always, always be the purveyors of their own story.
Ultimately, the sound of freedom always emanates from a place of empowering survivors, providing exit opportunities and services that enable them to rise up and stand in all that they were created to be, and holding those guilty of exploitation, abuse, and terror accountable.
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Lastly, I know those of you who are in support of this film and this cause, desire to make a difference, and truly help and I am so incredibly thankful for you! If that is you please know, the income generated from this movie does not go to assist trafficking victims, which is why donations are requested at the end of it. If you are looking for local organizations to stand behind, I’d be happy to help you identify some in your area. Thankfully, there are many many reputable organizations across the country, which enables each of us to support the work being done in our own communities. Personally, I’m in Arkansas and am the founder and CEO of The Genesis Project. I have over a decade of experience providing direct services to survivors and training professionals.
Again, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Thank you for caring about this issue! Please see the links below for more information and resources, keep learning, and share what you know to equip others!
~Kathy Bryan
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children