Leaders Develop Strategies and Hone Tactics to Fight Human Trafficking

ALICANTE, Spain, April 30, 2024 (Newswire.com) - In a groundbreaking initiative to tackle the global human trafficking crisis, Atlas Free brought together 40 organizations from 26 countries fighting human trafficking into one room in Alicante, Spain, from April 22nd to 26th. This critical gathering marks a pivotal step forward in the ongoing battle against this multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise affecting over 27 million people today.

Atlas Free's CEO, Jeremy Vallerand, reiterated the importance of a coordinated effort in combating trafficking: "To truly outwork, outpace, and out-strategize traffickers, unity is non-negotiable. Every leader in the room, every individual in the Atlas Free Network—from survivors turned leaders to frontline dreamers ending sex trafficking—deserves the resources, community, and strategic support to dismantle traffickers in their region. That’s why Atlas Free exists."

Former US Ambassador of Trafficking in Persons and Atlas Free's Chief Impact Officer, John Richmond, emphasized the significance of the event: "Atlas Free has responded to the urgent call for genuine collaboration and interconnected leadership. This gathering wasn't just a meeting but about collective action, not circular conversations."

Amidst alarming statistics—with prosecutions down and profits up—Atlas Free has risen to the challenge, leading the charge for unity to make a tangible impact. As global profits from human trafficking soar to $236 billion, surpassing corporate giants like Walmart and Amazon, the need for strategic unity has never been more critical. [Source: International Labour Organization, 2024] 

Callie Tybur, Atlas Free's Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the organization's mission: "Atlas Free’s work has never been about us. It’s always been about connecting the best local leaders to better resources, tools, and one another to bring justice and freedom to the one who needs it now."

The Atlas Free Global Gathering equipped frontline leaders with the tools they needed to combat traffickers effectively and fostered collaboration towards innovative methods of tackling the problem. Sessions led by experienced Atlas Free advisors, leaders, and trafficking survivors focused on trends, best practices, and organizational resilience, addressing critical areas such as finance, leadership, and measurement. One Atlas Free Network Member from West Africa remarked, “I’ve learned more in three hours than in the past decade.” Other regional leaders shared a sense of relief and renewal: “I am not alone in my thoughts about this work,” and, “It’s the kind of work that requires coming together.” 

Situated in one of the epicenters of sex tourism, the event’s location underscored Atlas Free's commitment to dismantling the systems enabling sex trafficking and exploitation.

Atlas Free continues its mission to combat human trafficking through strategic collaboration and collective action on the local and global level. Founded in 2012, Atlas Free Network Members have served over one million lives and remain dedicated to serving millions more. On July 26, 2022, the global nonprofit rebranded from Rescue:Freedom to Atlas Free to more accurately reflect its commitment to putting sexual exploitation out of business in every part of the world. 

Source: Atlas Free