Expert Sources

Kevin Bales, President, Free the Slaves. 1012 14th St NW, Washington DC 20005, 202-638-1865. bales@freetheslaves.net

Kevin Bales is president of the non-profit organization Free the Slaves, based out of Washington D.C. He has authored several books on the topic of slavery in the modern world, and has conducted research on modern slavery in the United States. He is currently lecturing about the presence of slaves in the U.S. As someone currently at the forefront of the fight against slavery, he would be an excellent source for a researcher looking to learn more about the movement.


David Batstone, President, Not for Sale. Box 371035, Montara, CA 94037. (650) 728-1332.

David Batstone heads the organization Not for Sale and is the author of a book by the same title. He initially became interested in the topic when he learned that one of the restaurants he frequented on the West Coast was discovered to be trafficking women for labor. This provoked Batstone to travel the world investigating the slave trade. He has won two national journalist awards, making him a credible source for a researcher looking for someone who has delved in-depth into the topic of modern slavery.


Luis Enrique Bazan, Executive Director, Children’s Aid Fund. P.O. Box 371035, 122 Seacliff Court, Montara, CA 94037. kique@rightreality.com

Bazan grew up in Peru where his mother had a shelter for the protection of street children who were victims of violence. He earned his Master’s degree at the University of San Francisco and has traveled the world as an advocate for children at risk. Bazan would be a good source for a journalist looking to learn more about the crusade against slavery, especially with his current work as executive director of the Children’s Aid Fund. This organization is involved with International Justice Mission in Cambodia and Thailand, rescuing victims of slavery.


Louise Shelley, School of International Service. American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20016 – 8071. (202) 885-2659.

Louise Shelley is an expert on organized crime and founded the Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center. She has received numerous degrees and fellowships while studying criminology, law and sociology. Although the focus of her work has been on Russia, her experience makes her a much sought-after source for many other areas of international crime, including slave trafficking. Shelley’s input would be useful to a reporter as she approaches the trafficking issue from the perspective of organized and international crime. It would be useful to learn from her what part organized crime has had in slave proliferation and how she feels this could best be combated.


Guy Jacobson, President, Priority Films. 150 West End Ave. Suite 27H, New York City, NY 10023. (212) 724-3254.

Guy Jacobson first became aware of the extent of the child sex trade while he was backpacking in Cambodia. He said in an interview that he was walking down the street one day and found himself surrounded by 5 or 6-year-old girls soliciting him for money in exchange for sex. Shocked by this incident, he determined to do something about the situation. As a filmmaker and owner of the production company Priority Films, Jacobson decided to make a film in Cambodia that would address the exploitation of children and spread awareness of the issue. He went back to Cambodia to explore the brothels and interview the people there while he was disguised as a customer. This personal experience of Cambodian brothels and interaction with actual people involved in the sex trade would make Jacobson a valuable resource for a journalist looking for a first-hand perspective.