Freedom Network (USA), which was established in 2001, is a coalition of 25 non-governmental organizations that provide services to, and advocate for the rights of, trafficking survivors in the United States. Since the enactment of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (VTVPA), Freedom Network (USA) members have worked closely with trafficked persons to ensure that they receive necessary services guaranteed under the VTVPA and have also been engaged in monitoring implementation of the law.

Our Mission is to:
Ensure that trafficked persons are treated as victims and not criminals, are able to have full access to justice, including the right to full compensation and restitution from the traffickers, and are provided with access to linguistically-appropriate and culturally-sensitive, victim-centered social, mental health, medical, legal, educational, vocational and other services.

Increase public awareness of the crime of trafficking through education, research, training and community outreach and organizing for the purpose of preventing trafficking and supporting the rights of trafficked persons.

Engage in advocacy at the local, national and international levels on behalf of trafficked persons and for full prosecution of all traffickers, including corporations and their subcontractors.

Develop local and national networks in the United States and to link with international networks in order to carry out these above activities.

Freedom Network Transition Memo:

Since 2001, Freedom Network (USA) members have provided direct services to, and advocated for the rights of survivors of human trafficking in the United States. As of a recent survey1, the Freedom Network has served 1,894 individuals from five continents and has assisted clients in approximately fifty percent of the approved T-visas issued. Through our annual conference and the Freedom Network Training Institute, we share our expertise as service providers and policy advocates, and we work with government agencies and law enforcement to share resources and information and to formulate a collective strategy to combat trafficking. The Freedom Network is uniquely positioned to speak to the real life implications of federal anti-trafficking law and policy on victims of human trafficking.

In December 1999, President Clinton signed into law the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA).2 We now have eight years of experience with implementation of the Act and, while there have been many successes, including effective prosecutions of traffickers, there have also been many problems and areas for concern. The Freedom Network is confident that the new Administration will learn from those past eight years of experience and move forward in a new direction that better encompasses the hopes and ideals of the TVPA to protect the rights of all trafficked persons and ensure that the U.S. plays a leading role worldwide in placing human rights at the core of all anti-trafficking work.