Columbus, Ohio: International inspirational speaker and human trafficking survivor advocate Harold D’Souza delivered a powerful keynote at the 3rd Annual Educators Human Trafficking Awareness Summit, hosted by Gracehaven and Franklinton Prep High School in Columbus, Ohio.
The summit brought together educators, law enforcement officials, military personnel, healthcare professionals, parents, community leaders and concerned citizens, united in their commitment to prevent and combat human trafficking through education and awareness.
From survivor to global advocate
Harold D’Souza, recipient of the United Nations Human Rights Hero Award 2023, delivered a keynote titled “Red Flags, Problems, Solutions & Resources: The Prevention of Human Trafficking.” His address combined lived experience with practical prevention strategies, creating a deeply emotional and educational impact on the audience.
Introduced by Hannah Swift, Director of Community Outreach and Training for Gracehaven, Harold began by sharing his personal journey of labour trafficking and debt bondage in the United States. He described being lured through fraudulent promises, forced into exploitation, threatened and stripped of dignity.
Recounting how he was labelled “Illegal” by his trafficker and subjected to intimidation and threats against his family, Harold emphasised the long-term psychological toll of trafficking. “Trauma has no expiration date,” he said, highlighting the urgent need for counselling and mental health support for survivors.
Turning pain into purpose
Despite recounting painful experiences, Harold’s central message was one of resilience and transformation. He reflected on how he once felt he had failed in what he called the “4 P’s” of life — Parent, Provider, Protector and Person — but eventually redefined them as Passion, Purpose, Power and Prayers.
“I stand before you not as a victim, but as a survivor and a thriver,” he told the audience, drawing a standing ovation.
Through his nonprofit organisation, Eyes Open International, Harold now works globally to raise awareness in both destination countries like the United States and source countries such as India, Mexico, Bangladesh and Nepal, where vulnerable individuals are often deceived by traffickers.
Emphasising human rights education
A key highlight of his speech was a call to integrate the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into school education. Quoting foundational principles such as “Everyone is born free and equal” and “No one shall be held in slavery or servitude,” he urged educators to teach these rights as fundamental knowledge.
“These are not privileges,” he said. “They are birthrights.”
Harold also provided practical guidance on recognising red flags of trafficking, identifying exploitation and accessing support services. He shared hotline resources, including the United States National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-3737-888), the Canada Human Trafficking Hotline (1-833-900-1010), and India’s support line (+91-799-026-2632), encouraging immediate reporting of suspected abuse.
Expanding the conversation
In addition to trafficking awareness, Harold addressed related vulnerabilities affecting communities, including financial scams targeting senior citizens and the recruitment of naïve students as unwitting couriers in criminal operations. He stressed the importance of community education and accessible support systems to prevent exploitation.
He concluded with four guiding principles drawn from his journey: Be Happy, Think Positive, Never Quit and Believe in Yourself.
The summit ended with a standing ovation, reflecting the profound impact of his testimony. Harold D’Souza’s keynote not only educated participants but also reinforced a collective commitment to safeguarding human dignity and protecting vulnerable populations through awareness and action.
