Sound of Freedom: An Anti-Trafficking Insider’s Perspective
By Tanya Pearrell
It inevitably happens. A new movie comes out. A book. A documentary. A news headline. Anything semi-related to trafficking and the questions come. “Did you see {insert new movie/documentary name here}?” “Have you heard what happened in {insert city or state}?” Sometimes these questions are asked because friends and acquaintances are excited to share what they have learned, and sometimes it’s because people are concerned. And other times it’s because they want the opinions of those in the field.
So, it was not surprising when questions were asked with the release of Sound of Freedom.
Please note - I am not seeking to criticize the movie, nor am I praising it. I am merely giving my observations. These are based on my experience and years of working in the movement with survivors of trafficking and exploitation and providing community education. I am encouraging you to not consider your education complete because you saw this movie, or to become wrapped up in this portrayal. I am encouraging you to take what you’ve seen, and what has been shared here, and look further, as you would with any other Hollywood production, book, or tv show.
What Was Done Well
The opening scene was promising. It included a photography shoot for hopeful children singers/models. This is an accurate representation of one way individuals are recruited for trafficking. We do see this often - individuals wanting to find a career in entertainment show up for an audition, or shoot, only to find a “bait and switch.” What they thought was a legitimate opportunity was actually a pornography shoot. Or worse, as seen portrayed in the movie.
Child pornography- In the movie there is an individual arrested for child pornography, who has also been a buyer of children. Pornography drives the demand for trafficking. This is not opinion, it is fact (see this article written by Fight the New Drug - How Porn Can Fuel Sex Trafficking (fightthenewdrug.org)). Ending pornography consumption is key to ending trafficking.
How Human Trafficking is Different- Tim Ballard (played by actor Jim Caviezel) makes a comment about human trafficking surpassing other types of trafficking. The reason? Once you sell drugs, they’re gone. You have to get more. But you can sell an individual 5-10 times a day for 5-10 years. While the lifespan of someone in a trafficking situation is significantly reduced there is still a span of time in which they can be used, unlike drugs or weapons which need replacing as soon as they are sold.
Not for Sale- The phrase “God’s children are not for sale” is so accurately true. Each and every individual is created uniquely and with an innate right to be free. This applies to children and adults. No one has the right to sell or purchase another individual for any reason.
What Could Have Been Done Differently
I mentioned the opening scene and the accuracy of this. But those strong moments didn’t last long. As the opening credits rolled, it shifted to a montage of children being snatched off the street and thrown onto motorbikes or into waiting vans. While yes, this type of trafficking does happen, less than 10% in the US that are kidnapped for the purpose of trafficking. (What We Know About How Child Sex Trafficking Happens - Polaris (polarisproject.org)) The majority of trafficking is done by someone known and trusted - family, friends, significant others, etc. If the only source of information is from this movie, signs, and symptoms of trafficking happening right under their noses will be missed, even in their own communities. They will not be as aware of dangers to their own children, and could even go so far as to not believe what actual trafficking survivors say. It is important to learn the different types of trafficking - familial, Romeo/grooming, gang, etc, so that we have a better understanding and full picture.
Buying Children to End Trafficking?- One of the characters in the movie is the former head of a cartel. After his experiences, he devoted himself to buying children that were for sale and setting them free. While this sounds wonderful, and we would love to be able to do this, it’s simply not feasible. There are too many victims for this to be effective. It’s only a bandaid. Until we get to the root of the issue, there will always be another child, or adult, to take the place of the one bought and removed. While we celebrate the freedom and eventual healing of one, we know that there are thousands more behind. Until we choose to acknowledge the demand and what is at the root, trafficking will continue.
The Island- The island was set up as a sting location in an attempt to find a little girl from the beginning of the movie. It was to be a members-only resort where those wanting to purchase a child would pay an exorbitant amount to join. I heard many people talk about this particular scene before I saw the film. Many expressed their anger and disgust with those who were trafficking these children. And this is understandable and absolutely valid.
But I want to share where some of my anger and frustration was directed, which may surprise you. A portion of my anger was directed at Tim Ballard, the main character, himself. There is a scene where he tells traffickers exactly how many children he wanted to be brought to the island. Meaning, he was, essentially, purchasing children. I knew this type of operation happened with the organization portrayed in the film, called Operation Underground Railroad. This has been discussed within the anti-trafficking realm for some time. But I have to confess that sitting in the theater watching this unfold on the big screen, knowing those around me watching are not in the anti-trafficking sphere, stirred deep emotions within me. While those around me were celebrating the arrests, I sat in a very deep emotion that I struggle to describe, knowing that what was to be an effort to help, likely caused more harm. How? Why?
This type of operation actually drives the demand for trafficking.
Wait…don’t stop reading. Sit with me on this…
In the movie, Ballard tells a trafficker that he wants a specific number of children brought to the island. What if the trafficker had 20 fewer children than he was requesting? Where do those additional 20 children come from? The trafficker wants to get paid. They are going to find those children somewhere to meet the demand. This means MORE children will be kidnapped to fulfill the need created by the sting operation.
Let’s Dive Deeper
This movie is powerful. It has the potential (and it has done it!) to open eyes to human trafficking. And for that I am grateful. It has brought awareness to people that might not have otherwise ever known about this topic.
But what I encourage you to keep in mind is that this is one individual's story. And unfortunately, what many don't realize is that although Sound of Freedom is advertised as a “true story," it is actually highly fictionalized, with even Angel Studios, the film's distributor, acknowledging that it took "creative liberties." (What 'Sound of Freedom' gets dangerously wrong about human trafficking (usatoday.com)).
What is portrayed in this film is one type of human trafficking. There are many other types of trafficking, and many of those types are happening in our communities. This is why we at SSD continue to proclaim education as the most foundational thing that you can do in the fight against trafficking.
Please understand that the survivor of trafficking you may come across in your community will very likely not have the same story as those portrayed in this film. The survivor you meet was likely trafficked by their parent or their boyfriend. And if the only understanding you have of trafficking is from this film (or others like Taken or Priceless) you could find yourself not believing the very real survivor standing right in front of you.
There are so many topics, obstacles, and traumas to address in the realm of trafficking. Please understand that it’s not just children being trafficked. When a trafficked woman stands before you, whether in person or on social media, believe what they are telling you. Take note that sometimes being trafficked looks like a “choice” when at the root, it’s a lack of choices.
When someone leaves a trafficking situation, that is not the end, it’s the beginning of a difficult journey of confronting and healing layers of trauma. It’s a need for trauma-informed, holistic healing.
As you can see this is a deep issue, with many layers, that requires more education than one can achieve with one movie. It’s a start, but there is so much more.
I encourage you to take what you’ve seen in this film and dive more deeply into the subject of trafficking. Take the time to learn what is happening beyond what you’ve seen in the movie theater. Dedicate yourself to learning about the different types of trafficking. Learn who is vulnerable (hint: There are many vulnerable demographics who are targeted, but it could be anyone). Seek to find out what is driving the demand for trafficking and if you might, unknowingly, be contributing. If you are interested in learning about the root causes of trafficking and exploitation, we have a great event coming up that will inform you of the larger issue. You can find information about that by clicking this link: Getting to the Root of the Issue Event — She's Somebody's Daughter (shessomebodysdaughter.org).
As always, I am available for questions, conversation, and the opportunity to provide training and education for you, your circle of friends, your school, your church, your business, etc. I’m only an email - tanya@shessomebodysdaughter.org or a phone call - 240-291-8324 - away!
