My Story, My Dignity Pledge

Overview
Updates

The anti-modern slavery sector relies on strong stories and eye-catching images when writing about modern slavery. Raising awareness of the issues and the prevalence of modern slavery is essential, but so often, as survivors of modern slavery tell us, the images and language used to tell these stories do not reflect them accurately or in a dignified way.

All too often, disempowering language and images are used to drive the narratives around modern slavery and extreme exploitation, sensationalizing the experience of modern slavery today. Sensationalist images and language can unintentionally create or reinforce stereotypes or negative prejudices.

You can help change this by adopting the My Story, My Dignity Pledge as an individual or on behalf of an organization, company or institution that publicly shares human trafficking and modern slavery information and cases. By adhering to the pledge, you can help ensure accurate and respectful representations, so that we are all better informed on the realities of modern slavery and better equipped to end it. The anti-modern slavery movement must create the space for leadership from lived experience, helping identify lasting solutions.

The My Story, My Dignity Pledge principles:

Choose respectful images that are representative of the issue. Choose stock images carefully.
Select text that accurately represents the story. Be careful to avoid sensationalist language.
Respect survivors’ right to privacy and dignity.
Obtain prior consent to using a personal story, be transparent and accurate about the process and how it will be used.

Read Freedom United’s content guidelines to see how we live by the pledge.

October 15, 2020: The West Midlands Anti-Slavery Network ran a workshop based on the My Story, My Dignity workshop content – we’re proud to see the workshop being used by partners in the anti-modern slavery sector! We encourage more organizations to sign up the pledge and implement the guidelines.
September 18, 2020: We’re proud to have the UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s office as a signatory on the pledge and to see the pledge mentioned in her annual report published today. How we communicate on modern slavery and people’s experiences of it is crucial in dismantling disempowering, retraumatizing and victimizing narratives of modern slavery.
September 15, 2020: That’s a wrap! Thank you to everyone who attended our final #MyStoryMyDignity online workshop today hosted in partnership with the fantastic Dr. Hannah Lewis at the University of Sheffield. We’re grateful for the participation of so many organizations discussing ethical representations of modern slavery. We’re developing a briefing to share with the wider anti-modern slavery community. More updates on that to come soon!
February 26, 2020: Our voice is being heard! The U.S. State Department has adopted the My Story, My Dignity campaign & pledge and issued guidelines helping change the narrative around modern slavery.
January 24, 2020: Freedom United co-led a workshop with photographer Jeremy Abrahams on ethical visual representations of modern slavery at the University of Sheffield’s “Rights, dignity and religion” conference. Read more here.
December 6, 2019: A new report raises awareness of the damaging effects of negative imagery on the public’s understanding of modern slavery and recommends increased survivor participation in the creation of images. You can read the report by clicking here.
September 2019: We’ve launched our own My Story My Dignity guidelines! Click here to take a look at what we are doing to disrupt unhelpful narratives around modern slavery.
Nov 09, 2017: Campaign Launches

Chip in and help end modern slavery once and for all.

Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.

A few things we do not tolerate: comments that promote discrimination, prejudice, racism, or xenophobia, as well as personal attacks or profanity. We screen submissions in order to create a space where the entire Freedom United community feels safe to express and exchange thoughtful opinions.

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Zac Dendry

5 years ago

We as human beings have a moral duty to stand up in the face of injustices..
It’s seems our modern day lifestyles are turning us into self absorbed narcissistic and destructive individuals..
Western world ideologies policies and practices are very destructive to our environment our beautiful species and us as human beings that inhabit this planet ..
The western world domination over third countries by the exploitation of foreign labour and natural resources instigates modern day slavery.

Grindl

2 years ago

Reply to Zac Dendry

Hear hear. I am shocked to discover recently that the UK has only a few yrs ago paid off the last ‘debts’ owed to the slave owners families, using tax payers money in the agreements made with these families all those years ago !!!! This money should have been spent/given to the anti-slavery movements not to the sins of the past! It is so shameful and wrong that these payments continued for all these years with no oversight or openness publicly it was going on with such lack of transparency.

Md mominul hamid

5 years ago

I am a victim of modern slavery and trafficking. How can i raise my voice? And tell my story

Analia Odetto

1 year ago

Reply to Md mominul hamid

Email Freedom United. Or join a local anti slavery organization. Better an NGO. Don’t stay alone dear

Sunil Chopra

2 years ago

Reply to Md mominul hamid

Post your facts…

Lela

5 years ago

Reply to Md mominul hamid

I don’t know, but I just wanted you to know I hope you get the chance to break free and have a life worth living, as well as the chance to tell your story in a way that feels positive for you. I will keep you in my prayers. Lx

Tim Kerman

5 years ago

This is often sensationalised. The survivors are often treated as a group rather than individuals. We need to remember that these are individual human beings not study cases. The survivors should have there voices heard

anu

2 years ago

Reply to Tim Kerman

it is the salary didfferentials also inflation versus increment – access sometimes liek asegregaton tool . and advancement aka opportunities ..
i dont say that all humans can be treated equal and or immigrated in .. but us see. education freedom and language teaching implies an equality you do not service..

aka the me too joke model ..

Shelly Ann

5 years ago

Everyone should be shown dignity and respect choose if you are rich or poor , it cost nothing to be nice and respectful, who knows what’s round the corner for any off us, isn’t it nicer to were a smile and not a frown,. Slavery in this world we live in should not be happening, to anyone And we need to stand up and protect these people. What these people go though I don’t know but just by speaking out for them could make a little change,. Hopefully.
Shelly

Chinaman

5 years ago

Every action taken by FreedomUnited is geared towards achieving a world that is right respecting and where justice thrives.
In the world we live in Today, striping ones dignity is more animal than even decapitating them. With every name added in every campaign, we are sending a message to the world to respect humanity.
Slavery, like every other negative vice can be stopped. It is a human creation and thus it will take humans to end it. Let’s not be blind to it. Act now. Freedom=Dignity.

Pledge to represent survivors with dignity

24,071

of 30,000 signatures

Read the Full Petition Text

I am committed to helping build a world without human trafficking and modern slavery.

I believe that modern slavery and survivor stories must be presented in a way that is accurate and dignified. Too often we speak on behalf of survivors and sensationalize the experience of modern slavery today.

I will apply the My Story, My Dignity pledge:

Choose respectful images that are representative of the issue. Choose stock images carefully.
Select text that accurately represents the story. Be careful to avoid sensationalist language.
Respect survivors’ right to privacy and dignity.
Obtain prior consent to using a personal story, be transparent and accurate about the process and how it will be used.

I will promote the My Story, My Dignity pledge amongst colleagues and friends.

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

City (optional)

I am signing as a commited supporter

I am signing on behalf of a commited organization

Freedom United will protect your privacy while updating you on campaigns, news and stories about modern slavery.

Anelisse C.
1:09 AM, March 28, 2023
Pilar C.
1:05 AM, March 28, 2023
Vasantha R.
11:16 AM, March 27, 2023

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Pledge to represent survivors with dignity

My Story, My Dignity Pledge

Pledge to represent survivors with dignity

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