Brad Riley is an activist, an award-winning filmmaker and media producer focusing on caused-based projects. He is the founder of iEmpathize, a human rights non-profit, whose mission is to empower youth to stay safe from exploitation. His work has garnered international attention and acknowledgements both in human rights strategies and media production by international film festivals, the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, the United Nations and more. I got the chance to meet Brad when I volunteered to go to Mexico twice with iEmpathize during early high school. With the help of Brad’s organization, I had the opportunity to meet some of the survivors of the trafficking experiences we have talked about, and it was life-changing. I think it played an important role in developing me into the therapist and the man I am today, and I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to have my eyes opened in that way, however difficult it may have been.
In this episode, Brad and I talk about what human labor and sex trafficking is, how it impacts us on a global and local level, and what you can actually do to make a difference. Follow me @joshkorac on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for video clips, podcast previews, and more mental health content! If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are from Colorado and are interested in scheduling a session, please reach out at sojourncounselingco.com/josh or josh@sojourncounselingco.com.
Takeaways
Human trafficking is the exploitation of a human being, either for sex or labor, through force, fraud, or coercion.
Human trafficking is a global problem and is prevalent in both big cities and small communities.
Awareness and education are crucial in recognizing and responding to human trafficking.
iEmpathize engages the general public through outreach programs, exhibits, and partnerships to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools to combat human trafficking. Training programs can have a significant impact in combating trafficking, as seen in the trucking program that has trained over half of the 3 million truck drivers on the road today.
Traffickers use various disguises and manipulation techniques to exploit their victims, such as pretending to be a boyfriend or offering promises of a better life.
Trafficking can happen anywhere, and it is important to be informed and aware of its presence in all communities.
The law and judicial system often fail to adequately protect trafficking victims, and there is a need for reform to ensure victims are not treated as criminals.
Systemic change requires long-term strategies and collaboration across different sectors and organizations.
By working together and leveraging the power of collective action, it is possible to make a significant impact in combating trafficking.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:16 Formation of I Empathize
03:00 Definition of Human Trafficking
06:15 External Factors and Vulnerability
08:56 Role of Pornography
16:06 Magnitude and Financial Impact of Human Trafficking
18:52 Prevalence of Human Trafficking
21:31 Super Bowl and Regional Circuits
25:17 Engaging the General Public
29:17 Programs and Partnerships
33:40 Results and Impact
34:08 Impact of Training Programs
35:05 Methods of Traffickers
36:59 Trafficking in Unexpected Places
39:20 Challenges with the Law and Judicial System
42:20 Systemic Change and Long-Term Strategy
43:51 The Power of Collaboration