Campaign · Human trafficking awareness

iStop Traffic

Bringing exploitation into public view through film, education, and advocacy—and helping audiences understand the people and realities behind human trafficking.

Why this work matters

Exploitation often happens in plain sight.

Human trafficking depends on silence and misunderstanding. When people can recognize how exploitation works—and see the humanity of those affected—they are better prepared to respond, support survivors, and speak up.

The campaign's story

Film as a way into a difficult subject.

iStop Traffic brings together AUSJ's anti-trafficking storytelling, education, and advocacy. It uses narrative film to help audiences engage with realities that statistics alone can't convey, and to open space for learning and conversation.

Films and educational work

Related anti-trafficking films

Svetlana's Journey film artwork — Svetlana's Journey
Watch on YouTube

Cargo: Innocence Lost film cover — Cargo: Innocence Lost
Watch on YouTube

Close to Home — America's dirty little secret, written and directed by Michael Cory Davis — Close to Home
Watch on YouTube

These films are available in the Broken Silence Film Collection, which includes a lifetime public screening license for community and educational use.

Trapped: City of Angels — book cover with synopsis — Trapped: City of Angels
Trapped: City of Angels explores exploitation, trauma, and the struggle to rebuild a life—inviting reflection on resilience, dignity, and the human stories behind social injustice.

Mini-trailers

Short films from the campaign.

Three mini-trailers from the iStop Traffic storytelling work. Press play on any of them.

She Stays

Viviana

Pimps

Documented reach and impact

Stories carried into public awareness, screenings, and training.

3M+

YouTube views raising awareness of sex trafficking

40+

Screenings internationally

12+

Agencies and organizations using the work in training

The films have been used in trainings for the LAPD, FBI, DHS, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — full list available upon request.

Svetlana’s Journey

Winner — Best Short Subject, 2005 Hollywood Film Festival

Advocacy and production

Michael Cory Davis presenting Sex Trafficking in the United States at the National Association of Counties (NACo) conference

Michael Cory Davis interviewed on CNN about human trafficking

Michael Cory Davis, Charlize Theron, Mira Sorvino, and Suzanne Mubarak, then First Lady of Egypt, at the Women's Peace Movement Symposium on Human Trafficking in Cairo, Egypt

Michael Cory Davis on set in Los Angeles creating Close to Home, an anti-trafficking film produced by AUSJ

On set of "Svetlana's Journey" — Michael Cory Davis directing acclaimed Bulgarian actress Gergana Djikelova

Behind the scenes of Close to Home, an anti-trafficking film produced by AUSJ in Los Angeles

On set of "Svetlana's Journey" — Michael Cory Davis directing acclaimed Bulgarian actress Violeta Markovska

Michael Cory Davis and the I Stop Traffic advocacy campaign

Scenes from Close to Home, an anti-trafficking film produced by AUSJ

Michael Cory Davis discussing consent at the Toronto Black Film Festival and screening The Conversation

Michael Cory Davis participating in a panel at the Cairo International Film Festival

Michael Cory Davis and anti-trafficking activists at a conference in the Kingdom of Bahrain

End Modern Day Slavery — iStop Traffic awareness campaign artwork

See media appearances, interviews, films, and campaign coverage in the AUSJ video library.

Media & Interviews

Responses

What people working in the field say.

"I can say with confidence that both Svetlana's Journey and Cargo, Innocence Lost, are great training tools. I use Cargo, Innocence Lost, as a step by step training of how to provide effective and comprehensive services to the victim of human trafficking."

— Rohida Khan, Department of Homeland Security

"I think the best thing that I saw was that it [Cargo: Innocence Lost] portrayed how violent and how vile these acts are. The crime of human trafficking -- there's nothing sexy in sex trafficking and I think just keeping this elevated and keeping the attention on this is exactly what law enforcement needs and I appreciate your efforts. It was a great job."

— Robert Schoch, Special Agent in Charge (U.S. Department of Homeland Security I.C.E)

"I think Cargo was insightful and of beneficial to those working in the field of human trafficking. It was especially impactful for those who have never been exposed to the atrocities of this insidious crime that lives beneath our noses! The producer/director had a wealth of information about the subject matter...and it shows."

— Anne Dunn, Commission On Status of Women

Individual feedback. Titles are shown for identification and do not indicate an institutional endorsement.

Ways to engage

Help keep this conversation going.

Support the work, bring the films to your community, or talk with us about a collaboration.

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