We were excited to sit down with 2025 Freedom Awards honoree, David Peckinpaugh, on behalf of Maritz, to learn more about their commitment to implementing trafficking prevention into their business practices and support for organizations like PACT, on the frontline of their work.

Anora has garnered national attention, winning several awards it was nominated for at The Oscars, including Best Picture. Despite being praised for destigmatizing the commercial sex trade, it has glossed over the experiences of survivors of human trafficking. 

We were excited to sit down with Bekah Charleston to learn more about her work as a Survivor Advocate, what drives her to continue to do this work, and so much more. 

Safer Internet Day serves as an important reminder that staying informed about the evolving digital landscape is a responsibility that we all share. By understanding online risks, both children and parents can stay empowered, take control of their digital presence, and strengthen their own privacy.  

We are honored to have contributed to the content of a historic treaty. Having a seat at the table at the United Nations allows us to contribute to strengthening protections for children from sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Artists Athletes Activists (AAA) is a grassroots organization founded to address the widespread need for community support to vulnerable populations in New York City. Established in 2018 as a 501(c)3 non-profit, AAA works to ensure socio-economic disadvantages are not an obstacle to peoples’ sense of worth and belonging, and their ability to contribute to the community.

Bekah Charleston is a nationally recognized leader, public speaker, and advocate whose story of survival and triumph has been featured by NPR, USA Today, the New York Post, and more. After enduring a decade of exploitation, she dedicated her life to empowering survivors and fostering community collaboration. 

David Peckinpaugh started at Maritz in 2011 and became President & CEO in 2021. A 40+ year champion of the events industry, David provides strategic oversight for Maritz while ensuring the consistent design and delivery of engaging and inspiring program experiences that drive business results.

There is continuous research that reaffirms that boys are an underserved population and often fall through the cracks of child protection systems because of biases against their victimization.

Founded as ECPAT-USA in 1991, we helped to spearhead the child protection movement when child trafficking was not widely recognized…

There exists a prevailing ideology that refuses to acknowledge that boys can be and are victims of sexual exploitation. As an underserved population, they often do not seek out or receive support due to stigmas surrounding boys’ masculinity. 

As the nation’s first organization to work on the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of children, PACT has built a movement to protect children grounded in education, partnerships and community engagement, and advocacy.  Because of the PACT community, we are able to share our 2023 Annual Report, marking our first full year under our new name, Protect All Children from Trafficking (PACT). 

Behind the breathtaking landscapes and diverse cuisines that travel offers us, the dark underbelly of travel presents a much different reality. The growth of travel and tourism can pose significant risks to children when preventative measures are not in place. 

As a survivor-centered organization dedicated to the prevention of child sex trafficking and exploitation, PACT stands in solidarity with survivors of human trafficking and highlights these critical issues.

Faith Robles, who joined PACT’s Survivors’ Council in 2020, embodies strength and resilience. This past Spring, she celebrated a significant victory. In her own words, she shares her reaction.

When you hear the term “child trafficking,” what comes to mind? Perhaps you think of a child who is kidnapped and tied up against their will, especially in a different country. The reality, however, often looks quite different.

Since 2001, the U.S. State Department has released an annual Trafficking in Persons report, which provides the world's most comprehensive assessment on human trafficking. Highlights of the report included education and outreach efforts, victim services, and data collection and sharing efforts.

French law student Elise Hirsch wanted to intern for PACT because of our “comprehensive approach to combating human trafficking, which includes prevention, education, training, and advocacy.” She is particularly interested in PACT’s efforts in legislative action, and how she can apply her knowledge of international human rights to help create systemic change.

We had the opportunity to sit down with 2024 Freedom Awards Honoree, Patrick Pacious, Choice Hotels International President and CEO. Read his exclusive interview!

Donna Lynne Hubbard is the daughter of the late author and Community Activist Barbara “Nayo” Watkins and Charles “Charlie” Hubbard, graduates of Atlanta’s historic Booker T. Washington High School. Raised by her mother Nayo and Civil Rights Icon Hollis Watkins who took great pride in cultivating Donnas' social awareness and creative spirit, at 16 she married and became a wife and mother.

Patrick Pacious is President and Chief Executive Officer of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world, with nearly 7,500 hotels, representing almost 630,000 rooms, in 46 countries and territories as of September 30, 2023. Mr. Pacious’s nearly 20-year tenure at Choice has been marked by growth, innovation and effectively anticipating and capitalizing on industry trends.

Jackie Shapiro grew up in Greeley, Colorado and thought she wanted to be a diplomat. That didn’t happen. But, a bit unusual for “her time”, she did graduate from college with a triple major in history, East Asian area studies and Chinese language. With great idealism and enthusiasm, she joined the Peace Corps and was sent to teach as a volunteer in South Korea.

We had the opportunity to sit down with 2024 Freedom Awards Honoree, Jacqueline Shapiro, a passionate child protection and human rights advocate and philanthropist who now serves on PACT’s Emeritus Council.

Jess Dannhauser is the Commissioner of the NYC Administration for Children's Services (ACS). Commissioner Dannhauser was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams in 2022 to help lead a more upstream approach to supporting New York families.

This year, as part of our Freedom Awards Benefit, we are proud to honor Saint Ignatius School (SIS) for their remarkable work and engagement in the anti-trafficking field. Please take a moment to read about the school.