There isn’t a debate that human trafficking is a worldwide epidemic. Based on the U.S. Division of Protection:
- $99 billion per 12 months is comprised of intercourse trafficking
- 4.5 million individuals worldwide are victims of compelled sexual exploitation
- $51 billion per 12 months is comprised of compelled labor
- 21 million individuals worldwide are victims of compelled labor
- 20% of human trafficking victims are youngsters
Why is ‘Sound of Freedom’ receiving a lot backlash and controversy?
As a result of human trafficking is such a delicate matter, it must be reported on with honesty, integrity, and with the correct intentions in thoughts. Sadly, the film “Sound of Freedom” has acquired backlash for its lack of honesty, which is why so many individuals are talking out in opposition to it.
Tim Ballard, the previous Homeland Safety officer and anti-trafficking activist the film relies on, and the actor portraying him within the movie, Jim Caviezel, are each controversial figures.
Ballard is the founding father of a controversial anti-trafficking group known as Operation Underground Railroad, or OUR. The group has been accused of exaggerating and adorning the operations they’re concerned in and outright mendacity about being concerned in sure circumstances.
They’re additionally below fireplace for his or her suspicious spending. In 2021, OUR acquired greater than $42 million in donations however spent solely $31 million on its work for decreasing intercourse trafficking victims. Vice Information reported that Ballard stepped away from the group for undisclosed causes.
Aside from the controversial group, Ballard has made some questionable claims of his personal. Ballard stated that the most important contributor to little one trafficking is “the woke agenda.” He believes that pedophiles have been pushing this agenda for many years they usually don’t must do it anymore as a result of “the leftists are caring for it in America.”
Caviezel has spoken at QAnon conventions and is an avid supporter of the conspiracy that has been confirmed to be false. QAnon is “a wide-ranging, utterly unfounded principle that claims that President Trump is waging a secret warfare in opposition to elite Devil-worshiping pedophiles in authorities, enterprise and the media.”
Caviezel can also be identified for spreading different outrageous conspiracy theories. TikToker TizzyVent went over each Ballard and Caviezel intimately in a latest TikTok.
‘Sound of Freedom’ can also be flooded with misinformation concerning little one intercourse trafficking.
An article on Screenrant mentions how Erin Albright, an lawyer who has labored with little one intercourse trafficking for 15 years and CEO of the Nationwide Kids’s Alliance, Teresa Huizer, say that “Sound of Freedom” glamorized depiction of their work distracts from the tough actuality of kid trafficking.
The article goes on to checklist all of the details about little one intercourse trafficking that the film appeared to disregard.
1. Most youngsters know their traffickers.
For one, most youngsters know the individuals who find yourself trafficking them. Nonetheless, the film depicts youngsters being stolen in some elaborate rip-off. However in response to Huizer and Albright, most youngsters are trafficked by dad and mom who’ve substance abuse issues.
2. Most trafficking victims are teenagers, not prepubescent youngsters.
A second essential proven fact that the film will get unsuitable is that the majority youngsters which can be trafficked are youngsters. Based on consultants, 70% of kids who’re victims of human trafficking are between the ages of 15-17. The film portrays the victims as being largely prepubescent youngsters.
3. Many trafficking victims are a part of the LGBTQ+ group or come from poverty.
Lastly, the film doesn’t contact on how little one trafficking victims are part of the LGBT group or that they arrive from poverty.
“Many little one victims of human trafficking are LGBTQ+ or gender non-conforming and, as laws focusing on these weak minorities turns into extra commonplace, an rising variety of youngsters are at risk of changing into victims,” says Cathal Gunning, writer of the Screenrant article.
Youngster intercourse trafficking is a vital challenge that deserves an answer.
Based on the U.S. Division of Well being & Human Providers, and the U.S. Division of State, there are numerous steps society can take to assist finish intercourse trafficking:
- Figuring out the indicators and indicators of trafficking
- Studying extra about the place your produce or clothes comes from
- Writing to state and native representatives
- Volunteering regionally
- Registering for coaching to “assist professionals appropriately establish and tackle the wants of individuals impacted by human trafficking”
- Elevating consciousness through social media or phrase of mouth
- Turning into a mentor to a youngster in want
- Recognizing trafficking recruitment ways
- Responsibly and truthfully reporting on tales of human trafficking
Finally, “Sound of Freedom” sensationalizes the work that Ballard did in his early years of working as an anti-trafficking activist, whereas spreading misinformation about little one trafficking. That is the core drawback with the film: it is spreading sensationalized misinformation whereas failing to handle the reality behind little one trafficking.
Tarah Hickel is a Washington-based author who’s a frequent contributor to YourTango. She focuses on leisure and information tales together with viral matters and flicks.
