Freedom Sunday

In the Anglican Church of Canada, Freedom Sunday shines light on the connections between human trafficking, labour exploitation, and missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. Everywhere, people of faith express compassion and solidarity with trafficked peoples through prayer, bible study and worship, and by making commitments to tackle these dehumanizing crimes.

While the Church’s observance of this day typically takes place near National Human Trafficking Awareness Day (held annually on February 22), study and liturgical resources can be adjusted for other days throughout the year, such as Sundays near the following dates:

• June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day
• July 30, UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
• August 12, International Youth Day
• November 20, National Child Day
• December 10, UN Human Rights Day

Ways to participate

1. Explore the More Precious resources and get involved in the CLAY National Youth Project. An additional resource is expected to be made available on the CLAY website in the week of February 13.
2. Use the Freedom Sunday liturgical resources in your worship service on February 19.
3. Promote the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline, 1-833-900-1010, and add it to your phone, contact list or address book. Hotline responders are available 24/7 to assist victims and survivors, and to receive tips of potential human trafficking.
4. Raise awareness in your church about:
   • The importance of distinguishing between children and youth in the sex industry and adult sex work. Find out what is required in any serious attempt to combat the exploitation and trafficking of children and youth.
   • Canada’s cybersex trafficking of children and efforts to safeguard children and teens from online exploitation.
     • Canadians4Action Tackle Pornhub and Mind Geek 
     • International Justice Mission
   • Ways in which Indigenous communities are made particularly vulnerable and continue to develop resilience in Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Read Chapter 8: Oppression: Right to Justice. Deeper Dive: The Sex Industry, Sexual Exploitation, and Human Trafficking, pages 656-671.
5. Discuss ways that your church might support victims; accompany survivors; and work to eradicate the trafficking and exploitation of children, youth and young adults.
6. Sign up for the anglican.ca mailing list  to receive occasional updates by email for ways you and your congregation can help in the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery. Sign up HERE