FREEDOM IS A HUMAN RIGHT!

For over a decade, I have dedicated my work to confronting injustice in its many forms—persecution for faith, gender, or political beliefs, the displacement of refugees, and the devastating crime of human trafficking. Through my years with Catholic Charities of Newark and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, I have met survivors whose lives were marked by fear, exploitation, and unimaginable suffering. Their stories continue to inspire my unwavering commitment to this fight.

This campaign is more than awareness—it is a call to action. Our purpose is to connect governments, NGOs, and communities across the globe so that knowledge, resources, and strategies can be shared in the battle against human trafficking. On this website, you will find:

• International protocols and legislation from the United Nations and participating countries.

• Governmental projects dedicated to combating trafficking.

• NGO initiatives with contact information to strengthen collaboration.

• Resources for technical assistance and research to better understand the scope of this hidden crime.

Because trafficking thrives in silence and secrecy, its true scale is unknown. But what we do know is this: every victim matters. Every survivor deserves freedom, dignity, and the chance to rebuild.

This campaign is an invitation—to raise awareness, to unite voices, and to create a network of protection and support. But it cannot succeed without the commitment of the New Jersey community, nonprofit partners, and law enforcement agencies who stand on the front lines of justice.

✨ Freedom is not a gift—it is a right. Together, we can break the chains of modern-day slavery. ✨

A Form of Modern-Day Slavery

Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights. It involves the exploitation of persons for commercial sex or forced labor. Exploitation includes, at a minimum:

• The prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation

• Forced labor or services

• Slavery or practices similar to slavery

• Servitude

• The removal of organs

Human trafficking can be prosecuted on multiple legal grounds, reflecting its complex and devastating nature.

According to the Trafficking in Persons Protocol, trafficking is defined by the presence of three essential elements:

1. The Act – what is done (recruitment, transport, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons).

2. The Means – how it is done (threats, force, coercion, fraud, deception, abuse of power or vulnerability, or payments).

3. The Purpose – why it is done (always for exploitation).