Operation Underground Railroad addresses controversy, calls for public support

Gabrielle Shiozawa, KSL.com

SALT LAKE CITY (KSL.com) — 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.

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.”

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.”