Targeted Change
Through Free the Slaves’ work with liberators around the globe, we learn which changes need to happen at the systemic level in order to end slavery for good. And then, with our supporters, work to make them happen.
| FTS connects the power of the grassroots where slavery is most prevalent, to the power of the grassroots in the US where there is substantial political and economic leverage. With policy and business expertise, we advocate for the changes that will have the most impact on ending slavery. | |
Every country has a law against slavery but no country is very effective at enforcing those laws yet. In some cases the laws need to be strengthened or changed. In other cases, governments do not have enough technical capacity (for example, to fight against the high-paid lawyers of the traffickers). In all cases, there is simply not enough political will. Elected officials are not sufficiently prioritizing fighting slavery. In democracies, that means that citizens are not demanding that their local and national governments focus on slavery. We can change that.
Free the Slaves learns from the people closest to slavery which policy changes need to be made, then translates those needs into a strategy—adding, changing or enforcing laws. FTS supporters do their part in making it clear to government officials that they want action. FTS has advised more than 25 national governments. Link to Ending Slavery government page.
Free the Slaves works to first do the research to know exactly how slavery is tainting products and services in the US, and then we work to create comprehensive solutions that eradicate slavery at its source. Each of us is buying into slavery at the grocery store and the shopping mall. Our retirement accounts are growing off the work of slavery. Consumers, business owners and investment managers are all part of the slavery supply chain—and they can each do something positive to end slavery. FTS makes it clear that even though slavery may be happening far away, everyone involved is responsible for stopping this abuse. Businesses have a responsibility to make it clear to all of their employees and suppliers and subcontractors that slavery will not be tolerated. Investment managers must do sufficient research to know which businesses are working to end slavery in their supply chain and which are doing nothing, and then invest accordingly. Consumers must make it clear to the businesses they shop at and the investment managers of their 401(k)s and 403(b)s that slavery is too high a price to pay for cheap goods and big profits. Click here to read about how FTS is working to eradicate slavery in cocoa production. Click here to learn more about slavery free investments.
Download: Recommendations for Fighting Human Trafficking in the United States and Abroad
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