Before Americans flocked to movie theaters to witness the inspiring story of Tim Ballard, CPAC was approached with an opportunity to screen a little-known independent film that tackled the heartbreaking realities of human trafficking. Without hesitation, we staged the first domestic screening of Sound of Freedom, a story which brings to life the horrors of modern-day slavery while inspiring audiences with hope that together we can protect our most vulnerable and lift up survivors. But our work could not stop with sharing this gripping tale of heroism in the face of an ever-present evil that lurks in communities across our great country.
In 2021 alone, over a million people fell victim to violent or trafficking related crimes, leaving them burdened with physical, emotional, and financial challenges they never asked to face. Shockingly, 74% of these victims did not receive the essential counseling or mental health services they needed to cope with the aftermath of their traumatic experiences. Additionally, a staggering 87% of these individuals were left without any financial or economic assistance to aid their recovery from these heinous crimes. This is why CPAC started the Center for Combating Human Trafficking, as we firmly believe that survivors should not have to navigate the difficulties of trafficking alone. Our mission is to advocate and provide unwavering support to these survivors, helping them reintegrate into society and eliminate the collateral consequences that result from their abuse, while holding their traffickers accountable. Our work is just beginning, and we hope you will join us in this fight to eradicate modern day slavery.
