“Modern slavery is not something that happens ‘over there’ that we don’t have to think about. If we care about the people who make our products we can make a difference.”
– Walk Free co-founder Grace Forrest, Vogue Australia, July 2018
Photo by GMB Akash
Tackling one of the world’s largest and most complex human rights issues requires serious strategic thinking. We approach this challenge by integrating world class research with direct engagement with some of the world’s most influential government, business and religious leaders. We invest our time and resources in a collaborative manner to drive behaviour and legislative change to impact the lives of almost 50 million people living in modern slavery today.
Walk Free undertakes research to build the world’s most comprehensive evidence-base of modern slavery – the Global Slavery Index. This publication, now in its fourth edition, uncovers the scale of the problem and enables robust solutions at a country level. We campaign for our cause by working with political, business, religious and community leaders to drive system change. We partner directly with stakeholders to liberate people trapped in slavery around the world. We independently and unashamedly agitate for change.
We believe that every human deserves the opportunity to live a life that is safe and offers freedom and opportunity. It is unthinkable that one human should ever be allowed to deny another human of these basic rights through fear, exploitation, deceit, or physical or emotional restraint.
At Walk Free, we fight for the silenced to regain their voices. There are some who say the problem is too hard, that there are more pressing issues, or that this is a challenge for governments to solve. We believe nothing is more important than human life. We can, and must, do everything in our power to end modern slavery.
A migrant worker seen through a window of a fishing boat that is docked in Phuket.
Every year hundreds of thousands of people visit Thailand. But in the shadow of mass tourism, there is evidence of serious human rights violations in the fishing industry.
We proudly and courageously call for change in places that others don’t consider, are unable or unwilling to go. We pioneer new approaches, invest in important projects and carry out research that reinforces the need for change and explains to others how they can make the greatest impact.
Successfully campaigned for a national Modern Slavery Act in Australia.
Published four editions of the Global Slavery Index – the world’s most accurate country-by-country ranking of the number of people in modern slavery, including in the hardest to access countries.
Provided a set of agreed guidelines for government and business across all countries in the Indo-Pacific region to effect legislative change and create safe pathways for migrant labour.
Encouraged religious leaders in every corner of the globe to sign a global declaration against modern slavery.
Conduct the world’s most comprehensive research of slavery prevalence in the Gulf States and China and publish a set of reports on the findings.
Deliver the largest gathering of multiple religious faith leaders in the Middle East to sign the declaration to eradicate modern slavery.
Facilitate the delivery of the world’s most advanced set of government-owned data to assess modern slavery across developed countries.
Identify and quantify economic and social benefits of reducing labour exploitation.
Become the leading non-government, non-business organisation to independently assess each country’s progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 8.7.
Want to know more?
Visit the Walk Free website to get the latest resources, news and information. Together we can end modern slavery in our generation. Find out how you can make a difference!