Join Jim Caviezel to End Human Trafficking

THE MAN BEHIND THE STORY: TIM BALLARD

Sound of Freedom is based on the true story of a hero. “Tim Ballard spent more than a decade working as a Special Agent for the Department of Homeland Security, where he was assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and deployed as an undercover operative for the U.S. Child Sex Tourism Jump Team,” says the Operation Underground Railroad website (O.U.R.).

“He has worked in that role and since in every type of case in the fight to dismantle child trafficking rings. He’s worked in the United States and in multiple foreign countries to infiltrate child trafficking organizations. He has successfully dismantled dozens of these organizations and rescued children from slavery and exploitation. While working for the government, Ballard saw how much more is needed in the fight against child trafficking and exploitation across the world,” according to O.U.R.  

“In 2013, he and a team of former government operatives left the security of their careers to accomplish the work of rescuing children as a private foundation - Operation Underground Railroad. At O.U.R., Tim has created a team that can work in any jurisdiction and in conjunction with law enforcement to rescue children directly. That team exists today and operates all over the world.” Tim has been involved in the rescue of more than 120 children.  

THE SCOPE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

In the film’s trailer, Jim Caviezel shares these alarming statements: “It is the fastest-growing international crime network that the world has ever seen. It has already passed the illegal arms trade, and soon it’s going to pass the drug trade … ‘cause you can sell a bag of cocaine one time; a child, five to ten times a day.” 

Human trafficking is a $150 million business worldwide, entrapping more than two million children (Sound of Freedom website). “Human trafficking is happening all over the world and the United States is no exception. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states,” states the O.U.R. website. “The National Human Trafficking Hotline, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and operated by Polaris, a Washington, D.C.-based, non-governmental organization, reported that in 2021, 10,359 situations of human trafficking were reported to the hotline, involving 16,554 individual victims.

As shocking as these numbers are, these reports are very likely only a fraction of the actual problem (Polaris, 2021). According to UNICEF (2017), human trafficking is the second most profitable illegal industry in the United States, second only to the drug trade. In addition, sex trafficking is the most common type of trafficking in the U.S. In 2021, 72% of trafficking situations were sexual exploitation (Polaris, 2021).” 

SOUND OF FREEDOM 

Based on Tim Ballard’s real life experiences, the film tells the heart-wrenching tale of a Mexican father who innocently falls for a wicked scheme, losing both his young son and daughter to the child sex-slave trade. Enter Homeland Security agent Tim Ballard, who concocts a ruse of his own to rescue the boy. Then, with the help and savvy of a former drug cartel operative named “Batman,” the two lead a rescue of 54 more precious children. “Batman is a powerful hero who rose from a troubled past,” explains the movie’s website. “After years of laundering money for drug cartels, he made a bold decision to devote his life to battling trafficking and defending the vulnerable.”  

Ballard’s determination to then rescue the sister is resolute, but will prove far more difficult and dangerous, as she has been resold to a Columbian rebel leader. The film is a thriller which keeps one on the edge of his seat until the very end.  
 
JIM’S PLEA 

During the film’s credits, Jim explains the gravity of human trafficking, and gives an impassioned plea for two million people to see the movie, representing the two million child victims. Starting July 3, and running through August 1, 2023, Sound of Freedom will play in 3500 theaters across the country. Jim also tells movie goers that Angel Studios, which produces the global sensation, The Chosen, has provided a way for people to “pay it forward,” by purchasing movie tickets for those unable to afford them. Jim inspires people to help end the evil of human trafficking by encouraging others to see Sound of Freedom, share the story, and learn the signs of trafficking in their own communities.   

To locate a theater near you to watch Sound of Freedom or pay it forward and purchase tickets for those who cannot afford to purchase them, please visit: Sound of Freedom movie.