About us
We are a global alliance of regional networks working to strengthen collaboration, engage the church and advocate for change in the global anti trafficking sector.
We respond to human trafficking by
Strengthening collaborative regional anti-trafficking networks
Equipping local and regional Evangelical Alliances
Advocating to Governments and the United Nations
Providing practical ways for global & local church to respond
Founded in June 2024, the African Freedom Network is already connected with 23 countries and is establishing a strong relationship with the National Freedom Network in South Africa, an organisation with more than 60 member organisations, and will continue working closely with them as a strategic ally.
The African Freedom Network is continuing to identify and develop connections with large churches in South Africa and Kenya. The initial focus is networking across the Sub-Saharan continent to identify the right leadership team to lead across this large and diverse region. Key relationships with churches and WEA members are being identified, and assessment into critical trafficking issues and specific needs is being researched.
A former teacher, Peta-Ann Small originates from South Africa and together with her husband Grant, is co-founder of Set Free Foundation Bulgaria, South Africa and the UK. Having worked in the anti-trafficking field for more than a decade Peta-Ann has been privileged to be able to journey with many Lived-Experience Leaders (Survivors) and has been humbled by their strength, courage, tenacity, creativity, determination and resilience.
Aside from running Set Free Foundation on three locations, Peta-Ann volunteers on the Operations Team of the European Freedom Network (Europe), supports the National Freedom Network (South Africa) and is helping to establish the World Freedom Network (Africa). Peta-Ann loves Jesus and considers herself thoroughly blessed to be able to do what she loves, serve people!
Founded in 2023, Asia Freedom Network (AFN) is a coalition dedicated to supporting networks across more than 15 countries, collectively connecting over 200 organisations in the fight against human trafficking and exploitation.
AFN works to strengthen coalitions by fostering collaboration among NGOs, government agencies, and stakeholders. Our focus includes developing survivor-centred solutions, building capacity, and addressing emerging threats to human rights and community safety, such as cybercrimes that drive forced criminality.
Through innovative strategies and resource mobilisation, AFN creates sustainable, scalable solutions to tackle exploitation. By building strong networks and championing systemic change, AFN is driving a unified approach to counter human trafficking.
Helen Avadiar-Nimbalker is a trauma therapist, advocate, and strategist with over 20 years of experience combating gender-based violence and human trafficking. As the founder of The Whispering Willow and Rise Foundation Asia, she leads impactful programs focused on trauma-informed care, prevention, and aftercare for vulnerable communities. Based in Thailand with her husband, she also manages Mosaic Market and Thrive, ethical enterprises that provide economic opportunities and empowerment for survivors.
As a speaker and consultant, Helen collaborates with NGOs and leaders across Asia to develop innovative, survivor-centered solutions and advocate for systemic change. Driven by a passion for justice and human rights, her work bridges mental health, social impact, and sustainable change, creating lasting pathways to dignity and freedom for those impacted by trafficking.
Founded in 2011, EFN now includes more than 170 organisations and partners in 44 countries, many of which are leaders of networks within their respective countries.
EFN has 6 active member-led groups focusing on: Hope for Nigeria, Francophone Reseau Liberté, Jobs for Survivors, Prevention, Prostitution Policy Change, Staff Care and Prayer. Annual “Bridge” Conferences have been held since 2012 and are focused on bringing members together for connection, collaborate, learning and encouragement. EFN played a leading role in the anti-trafficking response to the Ukraine/Russia war, developing protection information for those fleeing and support for churches and individuals providing care for refugees. EFN is focusing on advocacy, church engagement and caring well for members.
Christof Kaufmann grew up in Germany before studying facility and hotel management in Switzerland. He worked for 15 years in the Swiss hotel and tourism industry. Today he lives with his family in Romania, where he and his wife are involved in the fight against human trafficking and forced prostitution. They build good networks that connect the recruiting countries with the countries where victims of human trafficking are exploited. Christof and his wife have been members of the European Freedom Network since 2017, and since July 2024 he is part of the EFN Leadership Team.
The Foro Latino Contra La Trata was founded in February 2020 and currently connects with 380 organisations and individuals from 25 Countries (including non-Spanish speaking countries like Brazil, Portugal, France and USA).
Their vision is to connect anti-trafficking practitioners with each other and with the Christian churches in each region.
Focusing on quarterly zoom meetings, the network continues to grow and has become a source of connection, resourcing, and information sharing for members. They are developing strong relationships with Evangelical Alliances in the region and has recently been contacted by Grooming LATAM, a secular group preventing and combating online grooming, to join forces, recognizing the impact and outreach of the network in the region.
Dr. Silvia Brynjolfson is a professor at Trinity Western University, Vancouver. Originally from Argentina, she began her career as a missionary serving with WEC International in Spain and Equatorial Guinea, before founding a missionary training centre in Vancouver with her husband. Silvia founded the Spanish network of the global prayer movement ‘WakeUp Deborah’. The vision of this movement – prayer, action, and compassion – led Silvia to become involved with the WEA Women’s Commission and the Anti-human Trafficking Task Force.
While serving as the coordinator for the WEA Women’s Commission in Latin America Silvia became aware of other women interested in anti-human trafficking. As co-founder of the FORO LATINO CONTRA LA TRATA, Silvia and her colleague Bibiana MacLeod are building a network in Latin America, Portugal and Spain.
Dr. Bibiana MacLeod serves as Technical Advisor in diverse programs at Medical Ambassadors International and Medical Ambassadors of Canada Association: Disaster Response, Anti-trafficking initiatives, Orality, and Trauma healing groups. Bibiana originally trained as a medical doctor in Argentina, lived and served for 18 years in Haiti and Dominican Republic. She holds a master’s degree from Wheaton College in Humanitarian Disaster Leadership. Serving as regional coordinator with MAI she witnessed and coached the growth of over 100 community health evangelism programs, led by national partners.
Bibiana believes in kingdom collaboration, and dreams of a world where modern slavery no longer exists. Bibiana and her husband Alexander are based in Cape Breton in eastern Canada.
The World Freedom Network has an informal agreement with the Rain Collective in the Middle East and North Africa.
The Rain Collective was founded in 2021 to disrupt the cycle of human trafficking in the Middle East and North Africa. Its influence over the last three years has impacted ten different countries. Its method is to conduct direct service activities and to inspire organizations and individuals living in the Middle East and North Africa to pursue a mission that disrupts the cycle of human trafficking in the region.
Dr. Jason Pope represents WFN as the WEA New York UN Advocate on Combating Human Trafficking. He is also executive director and founder of the Rain Collective, an organization that has been instrumental in disrupting cycles of exploitation in the Middle East and North Africa.
His extensive background includes leading anti-human trafficking initiatives for the Salvation Army World Service Office, providing vital support for efforts addressing labor and sex trafficking across multiple continents. He has worked as the Principal Investigator of various projects, including the Protecting At-risk Children Vulnerable to Exploitation project, funded by the US State Department. His commitment to collaboration and innovation has significantly advanced the fight against human trafficking, exemplified by his validation of a screening tool for use at Entebbe Airport in Uganda.
Founded in October 2023, OFN’s initial focus has been strengthening collaboration and advocating for change within New Zealand.
The “Connect NZ” network was launched to foster collaboration amongst those working in the anti-trafficking sector and includes representatives from 28 organisations. Prayer initiatives in Australia and New Zealand have supported OFN’s development and continue to form a major part of network activities. OFN leadership is developing a strong relationship with the NZ government TiP team, and regional evangelical alliance leaders. OFN is research mapping the New Zealand anti-trafficking sector, and supporting the development of a Trans Tasman Survivor Alliance. OFN will be developing its church engagement and expanding into Australia and the Pacific in 2025.
Sarah Scott Webb is the co-founder of SIM International’s global anti-trafficking ministry, For Freedom; the World Evangelical Alliance Mission Commission’s anti-trafficking specialist, and founder/director of the Oceania Freedom Network.
Sarah has more than 18 years global experience in anti-trafficking. Her role with SIM saw her develop an integrated prevention approach to human trafficking, and she continues to provide strategic guidance and training to SIM workers around the world. During 2022 she coordinated the European Freedom Network’s trauma team, providing training and resources to churches throughout Europe supporting Ukrainian refugees. Sarah has a Masters in International Relations, specialising in legal, cultural and gender issues surrounding human trafficking. She is passionate about trauma-informed care, collaboration and tackling systemic challenges surrounding human trafficking. She lives with her family in New Zealand.