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SALT LAKE CITY — Operation Underground Railroad leaders addressed some criticisms of the anti-human trafficking organization and the controversy about the "Sound of Freedom" movie portraying founder Tim Ballard's story Thursday, saying they're ready to focus on the future instead.
The nonprofit also shared ways the public can help join the fight against human trafficking during a livestreamed public panel on Facebook.
Operation Underground Railroad, an anti-sex trafficking organization based in Salt Lake City, was founded in October 2013 by Ballard, who served as its CEO until July.
The Davis County Attorney's Office spent 2½ half years investigating allegations of communications fraud, witness tampering and retaliation involving the nonprofit before declining to file any charges in May.
The New York Times reported that some critics of the "Sound of Freedom" movie say it appeals to the QAnon movement, which offers a false conspiracy theory accusing elites of pedophilia. Actor Jim Caviezel "seemed to allude to QAnon while promoting the film on the podcast of Stephen K. Bannon, saying 'there is a big storm coming,' a movement motto, and mentioning 'adrenochrome,' a hormone that QAnon adherents say elites harvest from their child victims," the Times story says. Operation Underground Railroad officials denied any connection with QAnon during Thursday's panel.
Rolling Stone also reported that experts say inaccurate depictions of human trafficking in the movie could actually harm, not help, victims.
Operation Underground Railroad has received attention from conservative media personalities, including Glenn Beck. Ballard also appeared alongside former President Donald Trump to argue for the building of a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Matt Osborne, Operation Underground Railroad's president and chief operating officer, said in the almost 10 years since the organization's founding, it has been involved in helping local law enforcement agencies arrest more than 7,400 human traffickers and has helped more than 7,800 victims. The nonprofit averages around five operations and missions per week, both internationally and in the U.S., he said, through Operation Underground Railroad's workers and through partnerships with local organizations.
Organization leaders featured in Thursday's panel included Osborne; Dodd Dupree, Europe regional operations director; Tyler Schwab, Central and South America aftercare director; the nonprofit's cyber operations director, who was identified by Operation Underground Railroad only as Dan; and Randy Golding, domestic law enforcement coordinator.
'Sound of Freedom' criticism
Osborne addressed the attention surrounding "Sound of Freedom," an anti-trafficking film by Utah-based Angel Studios that has done well at the box office, grossing at least $190 million.
"I was a little disheartened that a very well-made movie was turned into sort of a political football in our culture wars now in the United States," Osborne said. He added that Operation Underground Railroad staff members represent different faiths and the organization is "100% nonpartisan."
"This is an issue that unites Republicans, Democrats, independents, people from political parties all around the world," Osborne said about human trafficking.
Schwab said "Sound of Freedom" is an "accurate representation" that has helped to start a conversation about human trafficking.
"I believe that once people see 'Sound of Freedom' and it touches their hearts, they get inspired to do further research to find out what human trafficking looks like … in your own community," Schwab said. "And you're able to react accordingly to help intervene on behalf of a survivor."
Ballard's exit
One question asked was about Ballard's exit from Operation Underground Railroad. Osborne skirted the question, saying, "I'll just say clearly and openly, we're focused on the future; we're not focused on the past."
He added, "We will always be grateful for the founding of Operation Underground Railroad. … We wish (Ballard) well, but we are focused on the future."
Aftercare and partnerships
While some have criticized Operation Underground Railroad's aftercare efforts for trafficking victims, Schwab said the organization provides tools and resources to survivors and works with local partnerships to ensure ongoing support.
He said aftercare can include getting survivors back into their home country, helping them start a business, or find other ways to be empowered. "We listen to survivors, and survivors guide us into what healing looks like," Schwab said.
Osborne added, "We help these victims become survivors, and survivors become thrivers."
Dupree said Operation Underground Railroad collaborates with other carefully vetted organizations and local police wherever they fight trafficking to ensure strong, ongoing aftercare for survivors.
While no women took part in the panel, Dupree said the European aftercare team is entirely made up of women. Schwab added that women are always available during forensic interviews to help make female victims more comfortable.
"There's so many talented women out there. And our organization is dedicated to rescuing women and children, and it wouldn't be right to have an exclusively male-dominated organization," Schwab said. "OUR is blessed across the board to work with some amazing men, and some amazing, amazing women."
How to help
Osborne encouraged everyone to call 911 if they see someone in immediate danger of being trafficked or to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to leave a tip.
"Never put your own life in danger. Let law enforcement handle that," Osborne said. "But if you see something, say something."
Osborne added that law enforcement would rather investigate a lead that turns out to be false than have it go unreported and have a victim continue to be in danger.
"We have just one goal, and it's an audacious goal to eradicate child exploitation and human trafficking. But we cannot do it without support," he said. "We'll continue to go fight this crime until it no longer exists."
We have just one goal, and it's an audacious goal, to eradicate child exploitation and human trafficking. But we cannot do it without support.
– Matt Osborne, president and COO of Operation Underground Railroad
Schwab added that people don't need to travel to far-off places to make a difference.
"Find the organizations in your community that are serving where you are," Schwab said. "It's a great way to get educated on what (human trafficking) looks like in your community, and be able to serve … right close to where you live."
Everyone should learn signs of human trafficking specific to where they live, Dupree said.
"If we had more people, more eyes and ears on the ground reporting these things, I think we'd be more effective," Dupree said.
Schwab also encouraged people to donate to Operation Underground Railroad to help fund missions and resources.
Dan, the nonprofit's cyber operations director, asked parents to educate their children on internet safety and be aware of who they're interacting with online to avoid predatory situations.
"There's more good people out there than there are bad," Golding said. "If we keep spreading awareness, … and if we all do our part, I absolutely think we can beat it."
