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

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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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40:36
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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39:29
Robert Lung and EleSondra DeRomano

Robert Lung (50) and EleSondra DeRomano (54) remember their first meeting, share about the work they do with survivors of sex trafficking, and talk about their own healing processes.

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41:59
Lisa Williams and Sharon Cooper

Lisa Williams (56) talks with her colleague Sharon Cooper (68) about her work in the military and the federal government, and how that influenced her work at Living Water, which provides refuge and resources to women and girls who are...

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...

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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.

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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.

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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...

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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.

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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...

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52:55
Kimberly Murphy and Alexis Polen

Alexis Polen (38) interviews her colleague Dr. Kimberly Murphy (44) about her working in the anti-trafficking field, her doctoral research, and Region 3's anti-trafficking efforts.

Sarah Spear with Desirea Stott-Rodgers and Rob Morris of Love146 discuss 20 years within the anti-trafficking movement

Sarah Spear speaks with Love146 Co-founder and Board Member Desirea Stott-Rodgers and Love146 Co-founder, Board Member, and CEO Rob Morris about how they first engaged in anti-trafficking efforts. They speak about what compelled them to get involved and what keeps...

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57:10
Shanika Ampah and Nathan Earl

Friends Nathan Earl (46) and Shanika Ampah (41) discuss how they each came to the anti-trafficking field, their individual stories of being trafficked, what they hope to see in the ant-trafficking field, and how they would like to pass on...

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45:18
Lauren Devine and Jordan Greenbaum

Friends and colleagues Lauren Devine [no age given] and Jordan Greenbaum [no age given] share their varying experience working with victims of human trafficking.

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54:16
Shannon Sigamoni and Wilnisha Sutton

Shannon Sigamoni (28) interviews her friend and colleague Wilnisha Sutton (33) about Wilnisha's work in the anti-trafficking field, her advice to people wishing to join the field, and how she thinks the field has progressed over the past 20 years.

Wade Arvizu and Elizabeth Scaife break down the anti-trafficking movement’s past, present, and future.

Wade Arvizu (aka K.D. Roche) and Elizabeth Scaife candidly discuss the evolution of the anti-human trafficking movement and the importance of survivor leadership within every aspect. They reflect on the humble beginnings of their friendship and their hopes for future...

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41:45
Katherine Chon and Catherine Pierce

Katherine Chon [no age given] interviews her colleague Catherine Pierce [no age given] about her work in the criminal justice system, with the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and in the anti-trafficking movement.