Give up a fiver for Survivors of Slavery right here in Australia!

Did you know that there are currently 41,000* people trapped in modern slavery in Australia?
Can you imagine your workplace, your school or your local club advocating for human rights and wanting to do something practical to embrace change?
Everyone can take action to help victims of slavery in Australia, and it starts with just a $5 donation towards The Freedom Hub’s Survivor School (Fivers for Survivors).

11 July 2023 (Waterloo, NSW) –The Freedom Hub, an Australian registered charity announces its annual ‘Fivers for Survivors’ campaign to align with the United Nations (UN) Day Against Trafficking in Persons on 30 July 2023 in support of survivors of modern slavery.

The ‘Fivers for Survivors’ campaign has three goals:

to drive awareness about modern slavery and human trafficking,
to engage communities to look out for one another,
to support victims of slavery by donating $5 towards the The Freedom Hub Survivor School.

The Freedom Hub will provide free tool kits and resources to encourage schools, clubs, businesses or organisations to organise their own awareness campaigns about modern slavery and human trafficking. The tool kit contains all the necessary resources, videos, materials, and guidelines to facilitate a successful fundraising event, plus facilitates tips on effective community engagement.

Awareness campaigns can be fun and enjoyable for example wearing a silly hat for the day or hosting a walk, whichever that can engage your group or community. What’s important is the positive engagement of participants while broaching a very serious topic because their support helps get essential services to survivors, enabling them to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

Anyone who is interested to know more or contribute as a volunteer is invited to visit The Freedom Hub during the ‘Fivers for Survivors’ week from 24-31 July 2023 or arrange for a representative from the Freedom Hub to come to your school, club, business, or organisation to speak about the issues surrounding modern-day slavery for a nominal donation fee.

Caption: Sally Irwin, Founder of The Freedom Hub (Photo credit: TheFreedomHub.org)

Founded by social entrepreneur Sally Irwin to fill the gap in specialised long-term care for survivors of modern slavery, The Freedom Hub’s Cafe in Waterloo, Sydney and Ethical Business Services fund the organisation’s administration, meaning 100% of all donations go directly to supporting survivors.

“Once a survivor has escaped their situation, they will have to wait four to five years before their court case is heard – that’s long enough for people’s lives to be destroyed even further than what they’ve already been through. In addition, their mental and physical health usually deteriorates; they can find it impossible to trust anyone or function within society,” said Irwin.

“That’s where The Freedom Hub’s Survivor School comes in; we help them rebuild their lives to live independently and successfully. A small donation can bring impact for survivors, and that’s what ‘Fivers for Survivors’ is all about.

Together, we can make a massive difference, and everyone can be a part of it from as little as $5, and every cent goes directly to survivors,” said Irwin.

www.thefreedomhub.org/fivers-for-survivors.

Ends.

*The Global Slavery Index (GSI) 2023 produced by the International Labour Organisation, Walk Free Foundation and the International Organization for Migration report that 41,000 persons are enslaved in forced labour or forced marriages in Australia today.

Interviews and enquiries:

Leesha Nicotra
HQ Administrative Assistant
Email: adminhq@thefreedomhub.org

Media inquiries:
Jasmine Low
Email: PRNews@gointernationalgroup.com

This press release has been written and distributed by Go International Group Dotcom Pty Ltd on behalf of The Freedom Hub as a pro-bono service.

Fact Sheet

The Freedom Hub

Established in 2013 in Sydney, The Freedom Hub Venue, Cafe and School is a registered charity and is run as “businesses for purpose” to sustain the school, which supports survivors with upskilling programs and employment placements in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and more recently Western Australia.

The Freedom Hub’s Survivor School rehabilitates and empowers victims of human trafficking, and slavery-like practices in Australia. It runs free classes nationwide to help survivors regain confidence and become work ready with basic employment and office skills, practical tips for success and paid work experience, all tailored to the specific needs of highly traumatised survivors of slavery. The school also provides peer support and long-term support, including outings, workshops, employment help and tutoring.

Visit www.thefreedomhub.org to learn more.

About World Trafficking Against Persons

The campaign for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023 aims to raise awareness of disturbing developments and trends identified by the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC) and calls on governments, law enforcement, public services, and civil society to assess and enhance their efforts to strengthen prevention, identify and support victims, and end impunity. “Leave no one behind” is the central, transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the theme for this year’s campaign is to “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind”.

Visit their website to learn more: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/endht/.