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

ddv000767
49:23
Helen Taylor and Katherine Chon

Katherine Chon [no age given] interviews her friend and colleague, Helen Wong Taylor [no age given], about how she arrived to the anti-trafficking field, what she has learned from her work, and how parenthood has impacted her work.

Megan Lundstrom & Angie Henderson, FreedomVoices

Survivor Megan Lundstrom talks with her close friend Angie Henderson about her experiences in commercial sexual exploitation, and her journey to healing. They both share their experiences in fighting commercial sexual exploitation, in particular how meaningful it has been for...

ddv000672
37:46
Madeline Hehir and Nina Aledort

Colleagues Madeline Hehir (33) and Nina Aledort (55) discuss how they started working in anti-trafficking, share how the work has developed over time, and reflect on what changes they hope to see in the future.

ddv000864
42:46
Makini Chisolm-Straker and Katherine Chon

Dr. Makini Chisolm-Straker [no age given] discuss her role as a ER physician and her pathway towards serving trafficked individuals within the healthcare community with colleague, Katherine Chon [no age given].

ddv000643
37:09
Melanie Thompson and Taina Bien-Aime

Colleagues and friends Melanie Thompson (24) and Taina Bien-Aime (62) talk about Melanie's lived experience in sex trade. They discuss the systems -- racism and misogyny -- that influence the sex trafficking industry and talk about how partial decriminalization offers...

mby020730
36:26
Rhonda Sanco and Laura Coleman

Coworkers Rhonda Sanco (60) and Laura Coleman (57) talk about the work they are doing at Araminta Freedom Initiative to help vulnerable children and end child sex trafficking.

ddv000869
53:47
Kara Doan and Marian Hatcher

Marian Hatcher [no age given] shares with her friend Kara Doan (46) details of her journey within the anti-trafficking movement and how she made incredible use of a second chance after being a victim of domestic violence and trafficking abuse.

ddv000573
43:12
Sherri Harris and Sharon Becker

Colleagues Sherri Harris [no age given] and Sharon Becker [no age given] reminisce on their collaborative effort assisting victims of human trafficking.

Aria Flood and Daniella Alvarado Perez

Aria Flood, 34, and Daniella Alvarado Perez, 28, co-workers at Love146, spoke about what brought them to the work, their passion for public health and prevention, and the ways in which they approach their work with joy.

ddv000670
35:40
Bella Hounakey and Laura Hassan

Bella Hounakey (27) talks with her friend Laura Hassan (42) about her upbringing in Togo and the memories she has from her childhood in her village. She talks about being trafficked out of Togo at 8 years old and talks...

ddv000861
35:31
Jose Alfaro and Shannon Sigamoni

Jose Alfaro (30) talks with his colleague Shannon Sigamoni (28) about coming out to his family, getting kicked out of his home, and searching for acceptance. He discusses how he found resilience in himself while he was forced into sex...

mby020652
31:37
Laura Coleman and Howard Collins

Friends Laura Coleman (57) and Howard Collins (60) discuss their work in battling child sex trafficking, and highlight the ways our society and culture contribute to the continued exploitation of children.

ddv000854
43:13
Julissa Ponce and Katherine Chon

Julissa Ponce (38) speaks with her colleague in anti-trafficking work, Katherine Chon [no age given], about her family's experience with labor exploitation, the impact of her parents' advocacy in her life, and the loss of her father this past year....

ddv000644
41:01
Audrey Morrissey and Lisa Goldblatt Grace

Co-Executive Directors Audrey Morrissey (58) and Lisa Goldblatt Grace (53) of My Life My Choice remember their first meeting, reflect on the growth of their organization My Life My Choice, and discuss the importance of uplifting the voices of survivors...

ddv000570
01:02:55
James Dold and Karen Stauss

Friends and colleagues James Dold (37) and Karen Stauss (46) discuss how they met, their respective work at Polaris, and the progress of the anti-trafficking movement in the United States and internationally.

ddv000865
43:35
Gonzalo Martinez de Vedia and Kathleen Sexsmith

Gonzalo Martinez de Vedia (33) talks with his friend and colleague Kathleen Sexsmith (36) about his work advocating for farmers' rights and immigrant rights as it relates to human trafficking work. He talks about how he came to the work,...

ddv000857
41:36
Michelle Sauve and Katherine Chon

Michelle Sauve [no age given] talks with her colleague Katherine Chon [no age given] about her childhood, her family, and how her childhood memories and family roots in Native American communities led her to pursue a career supporting Native American...

ddv000554
45:10
Bukola Oriola and Monica Habia

Monica Habia (30) talks to her friend and colleague Bukola Oriola (44) about Bukola's work in the anti-trafficking movement, Bukola's own history with labor trafficking, and her hopes for the anti-trafficking movement.

ddv000568
42:05
Kimberly Chang, Allison Chang, and Jocelyn Chang

Daughters Kimberly Chang [no age given] and Allison Chang (48) discuss with their mother Jocelyn Chang (75) the topic of human trafficking and how their family history as Asian/Native Hawaiians overlap with this issue.