They called it therapy. It was modern slavery

OUR CAMPAIGN ISSUES IN THE NEWS

Forced labor
New forced child labor case underlines the trouble with “troubled teen” programs
A Missouri faith-based “troubled teen” program faces a federal lawsuit alleging abuse, coercion, and thousands of hours of forced child labor. Survivors describe religious manipulation, isolation, and lasting psychological harm—echoing a familiar pattern of exploitation in similar residential programs. Show more…

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Prison slavery
Slavery adapted to modern laws, labor systems, and global markets
Slavery abolition laws focused on ending legal ownership, not the exploitative economic systems behind it. That gap allowed forced labor to reemerge in forms that were technically legal, harder to see, and easier to defend—with forced prison labor being one of the clearest modern continuations of slavery. Show more…

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Law & policy
Europe’s reinterpretation of human rights fuels human trafficking
European governments urged the Council of Europe to narrow human rights protections, prioritizing deportation over protection. By recasting migrants as security threats, the move weakens safeguards, drives people underground, and undermines anti-trafficking principles—creating conditions where modern slavery can thrive. Show more…

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Voting is open for the 2026 For Freedom Awards. Before casting your vote, we encourage you to take a moment to review the nominees and learn more about the individuals and organizations driving change across the movement. Voting closes on January 29, and the winners will be announced on January 30.

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