Inspiring Survivor-Advocate, Harold D’Souza was invited as a Special Guest Speaker by Restoration Project International (RPI), at Denver, Colorado. The Sustainable Restoration Conference organized on July 11th, by RPI was focused on, Frontline facts about Human Trafficking: From Myths and Assumptions to Sustainable Restoration.
Edith Okupa, Founder/Executive Director of RPI said; “Restoration Project International, a nonprofit organization located in Colorado, USA, that fights modern day slavery and exploitation, held a one-day conference featuring experts, professionals and stakeholders- frontlines in the human trafficking movement. The highlight of the day was the riveting and compelling story of labor trafficking by this awesome man, Mr. Harold D’Souza. Harold’s story captivated the audience so much that you couldn’t hear the sound of a pin dropped on the ground! His story moved the audience: some to tears, others to anger, while yet others who continually shook their heads in disbelief that labor trafficking could actually happen in the USA. They were more appalled by the fact that this happened to a well-educated adult man, his wife and two children. Thank you so much for the eye-opener Harold, we learned a lot about labor trafficking than we thought we knew!!”.
The State Department once said “collaboration with community is the most effective approach for preventing trafficking and protecting young girls. Creating and communicating clear message, engaging community support and leadership, sharing information and organizing massive campaigns to change attitudes, and timely response will have huge impact on this fight”.
“This man’s story is a true American story. Despite being mistreated and trafficked for labor (Harold and his family) he is a healer and he shares his story to help others heal. Seeing your beautiful family doing so well and overcoming all that has tried to come against you…..what a beautiful love story!” reflected Pepper Joy Greggs, Owner and Founder at International Coalition for Sex Workers Rights and Anti-Trafficking.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking in the United States of America, please call 1-888-373-7888, text 233733, Colorado’s Human Trafficking Hotline (CoNEHT) at
1-866-455-5075.
Harold D’Souza is a member of the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, established by the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA), enacted on May 29, 2015, which provides a formal platform for trafficking survivors to advice and make recommendations on federal anti-trafficking policies to the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (PITF). Each member is a survivor of human trafficking, and together they represent a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. The Council is appointed by the President for two-year terms.
Restoration Project International seeks to end human trafficking through education, empowerment, and sustainable restoration.
Every successful person has a painful story and every painful story has a successful ending. Accept the pain and get ready for success.
