Meet the Heroes

As Albania began to open to the world in the late 1990s, trafficking became an issue. Vera lesko decided to do something about it.

As the Northwest Regional Coordinator for the Justice and Peace Service in Cameroon, Laura Anyola Tufon has targeted child and forced labor.

A Lawyer for an Australian charity, Van Ngoc Tan works in Vietnam and China to free victims of forced labor and sex trafficking.

After retiring from the Airline industry, Marietta Dias devoted her life to helping fight for the rights of migrant workers in Bahrain.

Dedicating her time, her money, and her effort, Iana Matei operated for many years what was the only shelter in Romania for victims of human trafficking.

A social worker in Lithuania, Kristina Misiniene has tirelessly pursued support for victims, coordinated awareness campaigns, and facilitated cooperation.

Sister Eugenia Bonetti works with migrants at the CARITAS Listening and Reception Center in Turin, where she first became aware of human trafficking.

Founder and president of an NGO, Susan Ople provides assistance to Filipino workers who have moved overseas for work.

Monica Boseff opened the only emergency shelter in Bucharest, Romania, in 2012, and continues to provide support to victims.

From despair to hope—Pierre Tami in Cambodia helps to regain dignity for the abused, vulnerable and jobless through social empowerment.

A heart for children and a tireless devotion has kept Mr. Leonel Dubon providing aftercare services to trafficked and at-risk youth for years.

In 1997, Ms. Berrios created the Rahab Foundation. Since then, she has helped over 7000 women and girl victims of trafficking.

In 1997, Ms. Berrios created the Rahab Foundation. Since then, she has helped over 7000 women and girl victims of trafficking.

Raimi Vincent Paraiso works in the Congo to assist victims of trafficking, especially children.

Raimi Vincent Paraiso works in the Congo to assist victims of trafficking, especially children.

A journalist in Mexico, Ms. Ribeiro first became involved with anti-trafficking work in 2000, when she opened a high security shelter for women and children.

Amela Efendic has worked for over a decade to assist victims of trafficking, and spread awareness throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sister Azazet listened to countless of interviews, sensitively interacting with victims, to learn about trafficking in the Sinai.

First becoming involved in anti-human trafficking work in Cambodia led Benjamin Perrin to take the fight back to his home country of Canada.

The first woman to become an army officer in Burundi, Ms. Sabiyumva has taken a stand against the sexual exploitation of children.

During their time in Morocco with the French Protestant Church, David and Julie Brown worked to help migrants and trafficking victims from all over Africa.

Working with sex trafficking victims in Namibia, Esme Kisting provides them with housing, an income, and a chance at a life.

Dr. Esohe Aghatise, an international lawyer, began working to help women who had been trafficked in 1998 when she founded her organization: IROKO.

The founder of the Mongolian Gender Equality Center, Ganbayasgakh Geleg has been helping victims of trafficking since 2002.

A former orphan himself, Gilbert Munda cares for children in vulnerable situations, specializing in those coming out of labor in armed conflicts.

Brother Xavier Plassat, a friar of the Dominican order, first came across forced labor practices after coming to Brazil in the 1980s.

Charimaya Tamang, a victim of sex trafficking, became the first to file a complaint with the district police.

Norotiana Jeannoda is an incredible civil society advocate in Madagascar, helping victims and changing policy.

Founder of Confident Children out of Conflict in South Sudan, she fights against child trafficking and exploitation.

Founder of Confident Children out of Conflict in South Sudan, she fights against child trafficking and exploitation.

Philip Hyldgaard, Executive Director of The A21 Campaign, helped establish the organization's first office in Greece, and opened their first shelter.

Yosief Abrham Mehari is a practicing medical doctor who has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to serving survivors of human trafficking in Sudan.

Sunita Danuwar has made the remarkable transformation from trafficking victim to one of Nepal’s leading social activists.

Francisca Awah Mbuli is a survivor of human trafficking and the founding director of Survivors’ Network.

For the past decade, Agnes De Coll has dedicated her life to the fight against human trafficking. She has become a leading voice on the issue in Hungary.

Roseline Eguabor is a stalwart supporter for Nigerian and West African human trafficking victims and survivors, helping them leave their trafficking situations and integrate into Italian society.

Combating trafficking in persons and helping trafficking victims

Advocating for the rights of victims of human trafficking

A proven anti-trafficking activist in Malawi

Committed to women’s empowerment and anti-trafficking efforts

Improving the lives of human trafficking survivors.

Guillermina Cabrera Figueroa has a track record of championing the rights of trafficking victims as the specialized prosecutor for human trafficking for the State of Mexico.

Poole works across borders to cultivate support for combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable communities.

Josiane Lina Bemaka-Soui developed the Central African Republic’s national anti-trafficking response from the ground up.

Chantal Sagbo Sasse has been at the forefront of Gabon’s anti-trafficking movement for more than two decades.

Shakhnoza Khassanova has decades of experience raising awareness about human trafficking, advocating for greater victim protections, and aiding victims of human trafficking across Central Asia.

Ms. Dawid-Olczyk is a human rights activist and President of La Strada Poland who has devoted much of her professional life to assisting human trafficking victims.

Inspector Letitia Pinas revitalized Suriname's Trafficking in Persons Unit by implementing a strategic plan that enhanced investigations, victim support, and public outreach.