There’s an incredible evil in the world that’s overwhelming our children. Child trafficking will soon become the world’s leading crime, above the illegal gun and drug trade. Unlike drugs, children aren’t disposable. You don’t use a child and throw it away. Someone can use a child, and then it can be used by someone else, over and over again. This horrific evil doesn’t just exist in foreign countries as we often believe, Americans are huge consumers of commercial sex and forced labor.
Middle school girls are being sucked into sex trafficking all across America. Tweens and teens are mainly being targeted through social media. They’re pressured into situations, made to feel guilty for participating in those situations and then threatened if they try to leave or even tell someone what’s going on.
When it comes to crime, American government agencies are set up to take down leaders and must prove that a crime is being committed. As Tim Ballard, and many other agents, have worked to eradicate certain crimes year after year, they feel like their tireless efforts sometimes seem to have little results. Through his experience in the field, Ballard saw an opportunity to save individual children rather than attempting to take down the top dog, who usually has resources and capabilities to jump through endless hoops. Saving one child, may not make as big of an impact as potentially saving hundreds, even thousands, but for God, a child is a child. All of His children deserve to live a life free from being trafficked. And, the impact that freedom from slavery makes for that one child, is significant.
Angel Studio, who brought us The Chosen, an incredible series on the life of Jesus, now releases an intense thriller based on the true story of Tim Ballard, a government agent with Homeland Security who decides to leave his job of bureaucracy so he can save children who have been trafficked.
The amazingly talented, Jim Caviezel, plays the lead in the outstanding film SOUND OF FREEDOM. Caviezel openly expresses his faith and many can attest that his talent and success have a lot to do with his faith in God as a Christian. “I am so proud to be a part of this impactful film,” said Jim Caviezel. “In fact, I’d say this is the second most important film I’ve done after THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST.” (Caviezel played the role of Jesus in Mel Gibson’s 2004 film.)
The Purpose Behind the SOUND OF FREEDOM
Unlike other summer blockbusters, SOUND OF FREEDOM is made for a purpose. That purpose isn’t to entertain audiences, it’s to inspire them and to grow the movement to end child trafficking. The filmmakers of SOUND OF FREEDOM want to encourage everyone to see the film so they can learn more about the reality of child trafficking and discover that their impact, even if it seems small, is actually a part of a huge movement that’s working to end this horrible problem.
The increase in awareness on the subject is wonderful, but it’s not enough. There needs to be an increase in action. Not just any type of action, in order for this devastating reality to be eradicated, people need to take engaging action, where they’re committed and determined to end this atrocity. To truly end human trafficking, the following actions must take place:
- prevention
- ending the trafficking that’s currently occurring
- rehabilitation for people who have been released from tracking – either from their own accord or from being rescued.
Mira Sorvino, who plays Katherine Ballard in the film, states, “We have to stop it from happening, you can’t just take someone out and get them help. We have to deal with the root causes.” Mira describes some of the root causes are the failed foster care system, abuse at home, lack of access to good education, and the strains and stresses experienced by the LGTBQIA+ community. These are all attributes to young people running away, who usually become prime targets for trafficking. The biggest factor is that people buy commercial sex. Millions of new images of online child abuse material (no longer called child pornography) are added to the internet every year.
The SOUND OF FREEDOM Encourages Action
There’s a huge problem with our media and society treating sex as a casual and earned part of life. We’re constantly exposed to people sleeping around who lack commitment or even a relationship. Images and ideas of sex have become so prevalent in our media and way of thinking that we don’t even question the behavior. The idea that you can be whatever you want to be, that you should flaunt your sexuality, gender and physical body in whatever way you desire actually puts significant pressures on people. These ideas are not only unhealthy, they’re deceiving.
Expressing or engaging in sex has become like a drug, an addiction for some people. These individuals need a fix, or they feel like they can’t function. Parts of the brain are triggered when this person has a sexual experience that meets the criteria of their addiction. That “high” wears off, so they look for something new or maybe more intense to satisfy.
Although there are a plethora of organizations and ministries working to eradicate human trafficking, things aren’t getting better. People don’t want to hear this reality. But, God has called us to help the lost and overlooked, the ignored and powerless. According to Sorvino, over 2 million children a year are being pulled into child trafficking. 99% are stuck in slavery and can’t get out. The number one leverage that traffickers use is to harm the family of the individual held in bondage. If a slave is willing to continue in their condition to save his or her family, contemplate what you would do to save a slave. What if that potential slave was your sister, friend, cousin or neighbor?
Being trafficked is worse than death. There’s an undeniable emptiness in the soul of someone who has been sold and stripped of their freedom. In America, slaves are treated lower than dogs. Watch prime-time TV, or the ads on your streaming service – you’ll see several promotions supporting cruelty to animals, but little is being talked about regarding cruelty to people – humans with a heart and a soul.
After Tim Ballard rescues a young boy from traffickers, he learns that the boy’s sister is still being held by traffickers. He embarks on an incredibly dangerous mission to save her. During this one mission, Ballard saves 123 people, 55 of which were children.
SOUND OF FREEDOM challenges us to confront the evil of child trafficking. Once you’ve been exposed to this atrocity, what are you going to do about it? Ephesians 5:11 says, “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” This darkness has to die.
Christian Organization and Other Resources working to End Child Trafficking so all can Hear the Sound of Freedom
Here’s 9 organizations that are working to eradicate human trafficking:
- International Justice Mission (IJM)
- A21
- Hope for Justice
- Zoe International
- Shared Hope International
- Agape International Missions (AIM)
- Destiny Rescue
- The Exodus Road
- Operation Underground Railroad
If you’re a victim of trafficking, know a victim or have a tip to report, please reach out to the trafficking hotline:
- By text: text HELP to 233733 (BEFREE)
- By phone: 1-888-373-7888
- By email: help@humantraffickinghotline.org
- Online chat: www.humantraffickinghotline.org
The hotline is prepare to provide help, services and resources for individuals in crisis as well as those who know a victim of human trafficking. They’re available to teach you about your options, provide safety planning, emotional support and emergency services. The hotline is also prepared to discuss ways you can get involved and provide support in ending human trafficking.
