A STORYCORPS STUDIOS SPECIAL COLLECTION

As part of the Voices of Freedom initiative, the Office on Trafficking in Persons partnered with StoryCorps Studios to collect oral histories through conversations with those who have informed, shaped, and contributed to the successes of the anti-trafficking field over the past two decades.

To learn more contact: [email protected]

Creating social change on entrenched issues like human trafficking takes decades and often requires sustained vigilance across generations.  Our collaboration with StoryCorps provides a platform for survivors and allied professionals to pause, reflect, and share their personal journeys towards progress over the last 20 years.  Just as legacies of historical injustices contribute to human trafficking today, these stories reveal the influences and lessons learned from intergenerational struggles for justice.

— Katherine Chon, Director of the Office on Trafficking in Persons

All Voices of Freedom Interviews

Julie Cordua and Katherine Chon talk about Thorn’s use of technology to address child sexual abuse

In recognition of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Katherine Chon, Director of the Office on Trafficking in Persons at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Julie Cordua, CEO of Thorn, spoke about the evolution of Thorn’s...

"Truth and Love are the solution…" Suzanne Lewis-Johnson & Nichole Terrett discuss their work in the fight against human trafficking.

Nichole Terrett, 32, and Suzanne Lewis-Johnson, friends and colleagues at RAHAB Ministries discuss how their lives brought them into the work against human trafficking, truth & justice and how healthy relationships are one of the most important change-makers for victims...

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55:36
Christopher Bidorini, Erin Williamson, and Yvette Young

Colleagues Christopher Bidorini (33), Erin Williamson (40), and Yvette Young (44) discuss their anti-trafficking work and the role that race plays in the human trafficking space and the movement to end it.

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43:22
Alexandria Dean and Barbara Amaya

Friends Alexandria Dean (51) and Barbara Amaya [no age given] share their experiences as survivors of sexual trafficking, discuss their work writing about their stories and helping other survivors, and also discuss the importance of empathy.

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54:40
Marian Hatcher and Michael Shively

Friends and colleagues Rev. Marian Hatcher (59) and Dr. Michael Shively (59) talk about their work in the anti-trafficking field, the need of dealing with buyers, and the importance of having survivors on the front lines.

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40:17
Evelyn Chumbow and Martina Vandenberg

Evelyn Chumbow (35) talks with her friend and mentor, Martina Vandenberg [no age given], about her experience as a victim of human trafficking. She remembers how her lawyer encouraged her to share her testimony and fight for other victims, and...

Ambassador Dr. Sharron J. Brown"How I found the power of my voice"

In this interview, conducted on June 15, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. LC Myles Jr. (73) interviews his wife Ambassador Dr. Sharron J. Brown (51) about her childhood in the city of Memphis and her journey though Human Trafficking. She...

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39:59
Jean Bruggeman and Beatrice Waldrop

Friends and former colleagues Jean Bruggeman (50) and Beatrice "Lindsay" Waldrop (43) talk about the work they shared as employees of Office for Victims of Crime, such as starting survivor forums where survivors could share feedback about responses to human...

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36:36
Stephany Powell and Eleanor Gaetan

Friends and colleagues Stephany Powell (64) and Eleanor Gaetan (60) talk about their respective roles in anti-trafficking work. Stephany reflects on how she came to understand trafficking during her time in the LAPD, and Eleanor discusses the increasing prevalence of...

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40:36
Shandra Woworuntu and Katie Ford

Shandra Woworuntu (44) talks with her friend and mentor, Katie Ford (65), about her decision to find work in the US so she could escape the violence in her home country of Indonesia. Shandra talks about how her new job...

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42:52
Staca Shehan and Melissa Snow

Friends and colleagues Staca Shehan (44) and Melissa Snow (42) talk about their work in the anti-trafficking field, reflecting on childhood memories that show where their interests in the work sparked. They remember first meeting each other, share their experiences...

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27:06
Christine Buchholz and Carla Bury

Christine Lee Buchholz (47) interviews her former colleague, Carla Menares Bury (54), about her work in the anti-trafficking field. Carla reflects on her experience from attending the first white house summit on human trafficking in 1999 to negotiating a United...

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31:39
Jess Torres and Susie Baldwin

Jess Torres (35) talks with their friend, colleague and mentor, Dr. Susie Baldwin (54), about their work in anti-trafficking and the vision they have for how the work should evolve. Jess talks about some of their mentors, shares proud moments...

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35:25
Keisha Head and Diamond Jasmanae

Keisha Head (41) and her daughter Diamond Blount (25) talk about their relationship and how they have grown through Keisha's experience adapting to life after prison.

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47:00
Florrie Burke and Susan Champlin

Susan Champlin (60) interviews her friend Florrie Burke (78) about her experience working with the deaf community as a teacher and clinical psychologist and later working in the anti-trafficking field.

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01:00:52
Gina Agulto and Kevin Koliner

Gina Agulto (48) talks with her friend and the attorney in her case, Kevin Koliner (45), about her experience being labor trafficked from the Philippines to the United States. Gina talks about how the new position in hospitality was presented...

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42:54
Ronny Marty and Bukola Oriola

Ronny Marty (45) and his friend and colleague Bukola Oriola (44) talk about Ronny's upbringing in the Dominican Republic and the memories he has of his father. Ronny shares about his experience being labor trafficked out of the Dominican Republic...

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44:49
Marissa Castellanos and Saul Cristobal Tellez Escobedo

Marissa Castellanos [edad no dada] habla con su colega y amigo Saul Cristobal Tellez Escobedo [edad no dada] sobre su crianza, sus logros, y lo que quiere que los demás sepan de él. [Marissa Castellanos [no age given] talks with...

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41:04
Katherine Chon and Kimberly Casey

Colleagues Katherine Chon [no age given] and Kimberly Casey [no age given] talk about their work in human trafficking, reflecting on important lessons they have learned along the way, proud moments in the work, and hopes for the future.

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38:51
Iona Rudisill and Ben Abell

Colleagues Iona Rudisill (50) and Ben Abell (61) discuss the creation of the Araminta Freedom Initiative, an organization against child sex trafficking. They reflect on faith's role in the organization's creation, vision, and values.