The purpose of this study was to explore how individuals within the faith-based
organization in a Midwest town, could bring about awareness and education regarding
human trafficking to individuals in the local community. The community that was
studied is geographically located in the center of the United States, along major highways
leaving the entire community at risk of human trafficking. The primary research
participants are members of the local Midwest “Free Now” (pseudonym) group
consisting of approximately 10 individuals who are college students, professionals and
retirees. The Free Now organization’s mission is to end modern-day slavery. The
majority of the participants were female and Caucasian and all were connected to a faithbased
community as the core commonality. Participatory Action Research (PAR) was
the method used in this study. PAR offers community members and the researcher a
collaborative relationship in which interviews and focus groups are conducted to address
the concerns of human trafficking. These qualitative methodologies are strategies
utilized in the field of social work. An anticipated outcome of this study was to mobilize
community members to engage and learn how to bring awareness and education about
human trafficking by transforming how individuals respond to this social injustice. In
addition, this research study was to inform individuals and help strengthen their voices.
Furthermore, this study can help guard families and individuals from this human rights
violation. A recommended potential intervention was that the local Midwest Free Now
group would collaborate with service providers to develop strategies to bring awareness
and education on the issue of human trafficking.