Survey results: What our supporters want from Freedom United in 2025

We are excited to share the results of our most recent community survey! Thanks to your feedback, we have a clearer understanding of how YOU want to see the Freedom United platform drive change in the fight against modern slavery—and what inspires our community the most.

So, what modern slavery issues should Freedom United focus on in 2025? What ideas did you share for future events and campaigns? And what resources are most effective at helping you take action?

Dive into the survey results to find out!

Which of our campaigns most inspired you in 2024?

The majority of you felt ending Uyghur forced labor, followed by ending child exploitation in the cocoa industry, and then promoting safe migration to end human trafficking. That’s great to know as we map out our activities for 2025!

Which of the approaches below do you feel are the best ways to fight modern slavery?

Legislation, corporate accountability, and survivor-led initiatives were among the top strategies you believe are most effective. While we work across multiple approaches, your input helps us focus our advocacy where it can have the greatest impact.

Some other comments and suggestions:

• Owen, UK: Working towards common goals with other campaigning organizations.
• Kai, USA: Creating an informed community. Flood the airwaves with information.
• Azine, Netherlands: Listen to and work with survivors, as well as those still trafficked. Both with individuals and with sister organizations.
• P. R., USA: Make sure boards of directors and executives are held responsible for their crimes.
• Warren Clay, USA: Hold elected officials publicly accountable for not enforcing laws that address the issue.

What modern slavery issue would you like to see us cover this year?

Most of your responses reinforced the campaign choices we have been focusing on. That feels great! Some of you took the time to share your specific thoughts, and we loved hearing those. Below are a few that stood out:

• Debbie, Canada: As a Canadian, I was shocked to learn that many (most?) of the firefighters in California are incarcerated. It makes me wonder how much of that kind of exploitation may be happening here too.
• Angelique Maree, South Africa: Could you do more awareness-raising on slavery in places like the Middle East? Workers have their passports taken away and have no recourse to justice for ill treatment, harsh working conditions, and appalling living conditions.
• Anonymous, Argentina: I would love to see a campaign on the situation in Argentina, my home country, exposing abuses in Indigenous communities in Chaco and Formosa provinces.

Do you have a story related to modern slavery that you’d like to share?

Most of you decided to leave the storytelling to us, but a few of you shared stories that you felt needed attention. Over the coming months, we will explore what you shared to find any avenues for change the Freedom United community can contribute to.

How would you like to hear from us?

The message was loud and clear: email is your top choice for updates and calls to action. While we’ll continue to explore other ways to reach our audience, we’ll make sure our emails keep delivering relevant, timely, and impactful content straight to your inbox.

Do you use social media?

We learned that 44% of you don’t use social media—and that’s okay! While social platforms can be a great tool for advocacy, we know they’re not for everyone. That’s why we’ll keep making sure our emails and website provide all the updates and opportunities you need to take action—no social media required!

How do you feel about our social media content?

Would you like to have the option to turn off social media cookies on our website?

Privacy matters. Many of you wanted more control over social media cookies on our website, so we made changes, including an opt-out option. Your feedback drives real improvements—keep it coming!

How clear and easy is our website to navigate?

Most of you find our website clear and easy to navigate, but some suggested tweaks to improve accessibility and structure. We’re reviewing your recommendations and will make updates to enhance your experience.

What improvements would you suggest for our website?

• Mr. Yousif, Kenya: Creating a WhatsApp community group.
• Gillian, Australia: It can be difficult to find and read or make comments.
• John, Australia: Make donations available in a few other major currencies (e.g., UK, Australian, Canadian, Euro).

Thinking about our emails, on a scale of 1–5 where 5 is best, how clear and easy to understand do you find our content?

Our emails received an average rating of 4.2 stars, which is great—but we know we can do even better! Some of you requested more direct actions and campaign updates, and we’ll be using your insights to refine our content this year.

Should our emails be…

How likely are you to share our campaigns with others?

Advocacy grows through word of mouth, and we’re thrilled that so many of you would recommend our campaigns to friends and colleagues. We’re looking at ways to make sharing even easier so our collective voice is louder than ever.

Did you donate to Freedom United in 2024? Could you share why or why not?

Only 15% of respondents have financially supported Freedom United. We know not everyone is in a position to give and that’s okay. For those that have, we’re very grateful. We’re 100% funded by donations like yours and wouldn’t be able to do the work we do without you. If you could give and haven’t yet, please consider donating and keep Freedom United an independent voice against modern slavery.

And for those who can’t donate, spreading the word is just as valuable!

Does your employer offer a company matching scheme for donations?

Many companies match employee donations, but a lot of you weren’t sure if your workplace offers this benefit. If you donate to Freedom United, check with your employer—it could double your impact at no extra cost!

Have you ever considered stopping your support, e.g., unsubscribing? If so, why?

We were a little scared to ask this question, but most of you said you hadn’t ever considered stopping your support. Some of you did share some insightful comments, though, and even if it’s hard to hear, we’re glad you spoke up!

• John, Sweden: Only in times of extreme economic anguish. But then I remember what those you’re defending are going through.
• Julia, Argentina: Yes, because I never see you shining a light on the trafficking in my country.
• Anonymous: Yes, I don’t agree with Freedom United’s approach to disparaging certifying organizations like Fair Trade, EFI, and others. You overlooked how much these audits do catch and the lives they genuinely impact. The messaging also risks confusing the public; we should prioritize partnerships and collaboration. But I also appreciate some of the issues covered, so I’ve stayed subscribed to support on those.

What could we do to better address your concerns or needs?

We appreciated hearing little tweaks that could make your experience smoother, and we will keep at it!

• Colin, Australia: Mark clearly what country a particular action is focused on.
• Juan, Spain: You’re doing just fine, except that in your emails, you often invite me to take action by signing a petition that I have already signed because it looks like a new one. Maybe you could use the same petition name in your links?

Anything you would like to expand upon or raise?

What you all shared here was insightful, thought-provoking, and concerning. Below are a few that stood out.

• Anonymous: Keep up your good work and watch out for AI… it is going to take us to weird places.
• Eileen, Canada: Wondering how you feel about the ‘Sex work is work’ angle and how it affects your efforts.
• Nessie, Scotland: I worry that people have become ‘normalized’ to slavery on racist/economic grounds and there is little political appetite to oppose it. It is a class issue, not just a race issue, and there should be a protest movement to underline that such treatment of human beings is unacceptable.

Anything else you would like to tell us?

Many of your responses here made our hearts so happy! And Eliza, we’re happy to share that we’re now on Bluesky—check us out!

• Margery, UK: Please keep up the good work until all forms of slavery are eradicated.
• Eliza, Ireland: Regarding social media, it would be good to get on Bluesky.
• Afsha, UK: Keep highlighting these issues. It’s extremely important, and I’ve learned a great deal.

Others gave us food for thought:

• Chris, Scotland: Clearer separation of information and asking for agreement in petitions, and asking for money. Less visual clutter, simpler to sign agreement/support.
• Anonymous: Work with those nonprofit organizations you critique. I understand taking a different approach with businesses, but organizations that are mission-based are filled with employees trying to make an impact.

A HUGE thank you to the Freedom United community for sharing your input to help guide Freedom United’s campaign priorities in 2025.

What you shared with us will help us do our best to ensure Freedom United serves you, and the wider anti-modern slavery movement, in the coming year.

If you have any further input or questions, please email us at [email protected].