Harold D’Souza speaks at the White House
“It is a privilege for all survivors in America to recognize: In slavery, life is changed not ended.” spoke Harold D’Souza, Co-chair of the historic United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking at the White House.’
The Advisory Council was established on May 29, 2015, by the justice for Victims of Trafficking Act also known as the Survivors of Human Trafficking Empowerment Act, and in December 2015 President Barack Obama appointed Harold D’Souza along with ten members to the Council.
Secretary John Kerry chaired the annual cabinet-level meeting of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (PITF) at the White House on October 24, 2016. Agencies reported on progress made on four priority areas identified by the Obama Administration – victim services, rule of law, procurement and supply chains, and public awareness and outreach.
D’Souza spoke at the White House, “Strength does not come from winning, power does not come from slavery, pride does not come from pain, and ego does not come from exploitation. When a Victim or Survivor “decides” not to surrender that is strength, decides not to fear that is power, decides not to be raped that is pride and decides not to be traumatized that is ego.”
The U.S. Advisory Council submitted its first report on October 18, 2016, addressing five topics: rule of law, public awareness, victim services, labor laws, and grantmaking. For each topic, the report provides an overview, identifies three recommendations to improve federal anti –trafficking policies and highlights areas for future collaboration.
“Victims lives matter, survivor’s voices count, victims live freely, and survivors are treated equally” was the mission statement of D’Souza at the White House.
President Barack Obama, on December 16, 2015, said, “I am honored that these talented individuals have decided to serve our country. They bring their years of experience and expertise to this Administration and I look forward to working with them.”
Once a common man, now an inspiration in the community, Honorable Harold D’Souza, transformed his life from, pain to pleasure, darkness to light, stigma to success and slavery to freedom.