From Miriam Karmali, Freedom United

All too often, people’s true experiences of modern slavery and their expertise on the issue are overlooked in favor of inaccurate and sensationalized representations.  Understanding how modern slavery occurs, what people’s experiences are really like, and what systemic changes survivors are calling for is critical to developing sustainable solutions to preventing modern slavery.   The importance of centering the perspectives of people with lived experience cannot be overstated. These perspectives shed light on what systemic solutions look like and how we can push the modern slavery sector forward.  Explore the library to learn from experts by experience like Tesfay*, Angela, and Rahima.

Explore the library

“Shelters for trafficking survivors in the U.S. are often called “safehouses,” but there was nothing safe about the shelter I lived in.” Jessie calls for human trafficking shelters to be held accountable.

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“What is happening in my homeland is cultural genocide.” Rahima shares how the Chinese government’s repressive system of forced labor in the Uyghur Region has impacted her and her loved ones.

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“In the prison, there was no sunlight. There was no fresh air. At that time, there was some European chief visiting and some people from the African Union too, but nothing changed.” Tesfay* explains how the EU is complicit in perpetuating forced labor and trafficking in Libya.

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These perspectives from survivors of modern slavery illustrate the complexities and nuances of how modern slavery occurs, what systemic solutions look like, and how the anti-trafficking movement can be more inclusive and create space for survivor leadership.

Are you an expert by experience and would like to share your perspective on the Freedom United platform? Send us a message here!

In solidarity,

Miriam and the team supporting the Freedom United community

*Not his real name.