The release of Sound of Freedom at the Spanish box office on 11 October is sparking interest in the issue of human trafficking, and specifically child trafficking, a reality that often goes unnoticed.

“People don't talk much about this issue and it may not seem relevant to Spanish society, but according to a report by Unicef Spain along with the University Institute for Migration Studies, the numbers are growing at an alarming rate in our country", says the 7ES platform, which has organised an online forum on the problem of trafficking of minors on 5 October.

Social, judicial, police and political analysis

The event is free to attend, and titled “The hidden reality". It will have experts analysing the issue from different angles: social, judicial, police and political.

It is aimed at “professionals such as social workers, teachers, socio-cultural animators, etc. from different sectors, who want to know more about this subject and what is happening with it in Spain".

“Parents and guardians of children who want to be more informed; as well as anyone who wants to support the movement created around the premiere of the film Sound of Freedom, or who has a heart of compassion for the causes of the weakest, are also welcomed", explains 7ES.

The six guest panellists include: Rubén Martínez, councillor for welfare and education at Torrejón City Council (Madrid); Agurtzane Irazola, officer of the Basque country regional police and president of the Association of Christian Police and Security Forces; Ana Zumel, director of Mirror project against human trafficking at Diaconia Spain; Jorge Kolle, expert in child welfare and human rights at the NGO World Vision; Emma McCallion, head of the NGO Amar Dragoste serving prostituted women; and Salvador Martí, creator of the Alexia Teach Us program against child abuse.

The forum also hopes to be the starting point for a movement. “We invite people to participate, so that we can join forces and create alternatives to help eradicate this problem, which destroys hundreds of thousands of lives around the world from such a young age", the organisers say.

An unexpected success

The film is one of the most successful of the year at the international box office, reaching number one in the United States on its premiere, and grossing over 160 million dollars.

In Europe, the film has been screened in August and September in several countries, starting in Eastern Europe.

The success has not been without controversy, not only because of the theme it exposes. Marches and actions have been organised in several Latin American countries to raise awareness of the issue.

Since its premiere, the film has been supported by a number of organisations fighting human trafficking. Some Christian churches have also been involved in promoting the film.

In recent days, the film has also sparked political controversy, as its producer, Eduardo Verástegui, has entered the Mexican presidential race.

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