Media

Contact Us

We work closely with many media sources to provide the latest research, expert commentary, and personal testimonies regarding the issues of human trafficking, modern slavery, the modern abolitionist movement, and sexual exploitation. To schedule an interview or communicate further, please contact us at:

Email: media@mercymovement.com

Mailing Address:
The Mercy Movement
PO Box 262
Franklin Springs, GA 30639

Phone
1-706-245-3143

Booking for Speaking engagements

Contact: megan@mercymovement.com

Or Call 1-706-245-3143

Downloadable Bios

CHARLES J. POWELL is a social justice activist, film producer, conference speaker, and founder of Mercy Movement, a grassroots movement to abolish human trafficking and slavery. Over the past three decades Charles has been trained in counterterrorism and police investigation, worked as a bodyguard for royalty, and lived undercover during the war on drugs. He now uses his unique background to investigate and stop modern slavery in the US and beyond. Powell lives in Northeast Georgia.

Dillon BurroughsDILLON BURROUGHS is an Outreach award-nominated writer, founding board member, and research fellow for Mercy Movement. Author of numerous books on faith and social justice issues, he serves as a leading voice in the contemporary abolitionist movement. Dillon lives near Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and children. For more, visit readdB.com.

Downloadable Pics

What is Human Trafficking?

The recruitment, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of an implied or direct threat or use of force or other forms of coercion or fraud for the purposes of profiting from the labor of those trafficked, frequently involving sexual exploitation and forced labor of an industrial or agricultural nature. Human trafficking is the vehicle through which persons enter the institution of human slavery.

Human Trafficking Statistics

  • Each year, an estimated 14,500 to 17,500 foreign nationals are trafficked into the United States to be used in the sex trade or as domestic/agricultural slaves. (U.S. Department of Justice)
  • In 2006, there were only 5,808 prosecutions and 3,160 convictions throughout the world. This means that for every 800 people trafficked, only one person was convicted. (U.S. State Department)
  • In the past 30 years more people have been trafficked for slavery than in all of the 400 years of the Colonial Slave Trade. (United Nations/ U.S. Department of Justice)
  • 14,500 plus people are trafficked into the U.S., with approximately 50% used in the sex industry, and 50% used in for work in agriculture and domestic service. (U.S. Department of Justice) (The UN and NGO’s publish statistics in this category which are often markedly higher than those of the U.S.-DoJ.)
  • An average slave in the American South in 1850 cost the equivalent of $40,000 in today’s money; today a slave costs an average of $90. (freetheslaves.net)
  • The number of U.S. citizens trafficked within the country each year is even higher, with an estimated 200,000 North American children at risk for trafficking into the sex industry. (U.S. Department of Justice)
  • Estimated annual profits made from the exploitation of all trafficked forced labor are US$ 31.6 billion. (International Labor Office)
  • In the world, “there are 12.3 million people in forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, and sexual servitude at any given time; other estimates range from 4 million to 27 million,” according to estimates of the United Nations’ International Labor Organization.
  • According U.S. government studies the most active city for human trafficking in the United States is Atlanta, Georgia. Boasting the busiest airport in the world, this international portal is believed to figure greatly into the equation.
  • “There are 27 million slaves in the world today. More than at any other time in human history.” (freetheslaves.net)

What Others Are Saying:

Charles Powell is my friend. You need him as your friend also. Why? Charles is not perfect and he knows it. He cares enough to confess his battles and offer hope for the rest of us imperfect people. When I see Charles, I see a heart that cares; I see a heart that has been broken. His words invite you to see that heart while you learn about yours.
- Chris Maxwell – Campus Pastor at Emmanuel College

Recent Stories:

America’s Ugliest Crime by Charles Powell, featured in Charisma Magazine, November 2009 (http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/features/2009/november/23558-stop-child-slavery-now)

LINKS

Bookings

To book Charles Powell or other Mercy Movement speakers for your event, contact us here: booking@mercymovement.com

Friends

Dillon Burroughs’ website: readdb.com

Aaron Cohen’s website, who graciously shared his video for our site: abolishslavery.org

Social Networking

Human Trafficking Resources

The extensive list of organizations below has been provided by charismamag.com. This list is provided for informational purposes only and does not imply endorsement of external links.