About Us
Freedom Rising: Breaking Chains, Building Futures
At Freedom Rising, we believe that human trafficking is one of the greatest evils of our time, and far too massive and complex to fight alone. That’s why we’ve built our entire model around collaboration and the proven framework known as the Four P’s: Protection, Prosecution, Prevention, and Partnerships.
We focus on Protection by providing safe housing, trauma-informed care, and education to those most at risk or already victimized. We support Prosecution by working with legal systems and advocacy groups to hold traffickers accountable and seek justice for survivors. We work on Prevention by addressing root causes like poverty, lack of education, and social stigma, empowering vulnerable communities before exploitation begins. And most importantly, we believe in the power of Partnerships uniting with local organizations, global nonprofits, governments, and faith communities to multiply our impact.
No one organization can do it all, but together, we can.
Our Story
Freedom Rising was born out of a deep conviction that no woman or child should ever be trapped in exploitation simply because they were born into poverty or injustice. Our founder witnessed firsthand the heartbreaking reality of children growing up in one of the largest brothel communities in the world, Daulatdia, Bangladesh, where hope was scarce and exploitation was a daily reality. When a key program supporting these children lost its funding, Freedom Rising was launched to ensure the mission would not only survive but grow. What began as an urgent response has become a global vision to fight human trafficking through holistic care, sustainable programs, and collaborative action. From safe homes and schools to vocational training and legal advocacy, every step we take is guided by compassion, justice, and the belief that freedom should never be a privilege—it should be a right.
Meet The Team
Dr. Anne Friesen
Board Member/Chairperson, Freedom Rising
Dr. Anne Friesen has more than 25 years of professional experience in the social justice and human services fields, and working for decades to combat human trafficking domestically. She currently serves as the CEO and Chief Strategy Consultant of Human Trafficking Now, a virtual global community and hub for the latest anti-human trafficking research, information, and resources. Human Trafficking Now partners with Freedom Rising to advance a shared vision of empowering survivors and advocates to protect, prevent, and prevail against human trafficking worldwide.
Joel Honneger
Board Member, Freedom Rising
Joel Honneger serves as the Executive Director of The Hope Network in Chicago and has been engaged in international work for decades. For more than three years, he has been actively involved in supporting programs in Daulatdia, Bangladesh, focused on combatting human trafficking and empowering survivors. Joel brings a deep passion for justice and restoration, along with a strong commitment to building collaboration among organizations working toward freedom and hope for all.