Operation Underground Railroad

Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) is a non-profit founded by Tim Ballard which assists governments around the world in the rescue of human trafficking and sex trafficking victims with a special focus on children. O.U.R. also aids with planning, prevention, capture and prosecution of offenders, and works with partner organizations for prevention, victim recovery, and strengthened awareness or fundraising efforts.^[2] The organization has been documented for their covert operations with jump teams consisting of former CIA agents, U.S. Special Operations Forces Members, and other support volunteers. Operation Underground Railroad's ultimate goal is to eliminate Sex Trafficking world-wide.^[3]

As of 2016 April, Operation Underground Railroad reports 529 victims rescued, and 182 traffickers arrested.^[3]

History

Tim Ballard served 12 years as a U.S. Special Agent for the Department of Homeland Security, on the Internet Crimes against Children Task Force and the U.S. Child Sex Tourism Jump Team. He helped infiltrate and dismantle dozens of trafficking organizations that kidnapped children and forced them into the sex slave industry. However, as a U.S. agent, Ballard was not authorized to rescue children if their cases lacked a U.S. nexus or if the case could not be tried in a U.S. court.^[4][5][6]

Ballard was frustrated with the lack of strategies employed to rescue enslaved children in underdeveloped nations (though reporting positive experience working with U.S. government professionals) and left government employ in October 2013 to found Operation Underground Railroad.^[4][7]

Operations

Operation Underground Railroad works with supporting governments and organizations in one or more of the following activities: prevention, discovery, preparation, rescue, or victim recovery programs. Operations are segments of any coordinated effort, training and/or direct involvement to rescue enslaved children. Operation Underground Railroad does not work independently, or without Government participation and support.^{[8][9][10][4][11][7][12][6][5]}

To help raise awareness, support and funding, Gerald R. Molen (producer of Schindler's List), approached Tim Ballard to document preparation and activity relating to a few covert operations. The documentary film was released in early 2016 and titled "The Abolitionists".^[13][10]

Notable Supporters

• Taina Bien-Aimé, Executive Director, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women^[14]
• Ian Urbina, Investigative Reporter, The New York Times^[14]
• Ashley Marinaccio, Co-Founder and Director, Girl Be Heard^[14]
• Elizabeth Smart^[15]
• Laurie Holden, Actress^[16][15][17]
• Kaskade, Artist/Producer^[15]
• Chelsie Hightower, Dancer^[15]
• Lexi Walker, Singer^[15]
• Brooke White, Singer^[15]
• Marisol Nichols, Actress^[15]
• Montel Williams, American television personality, radio talk show host, and Actor^[18]
• Gerald R. Molen, Producer^[19]
• Chet Thomas, Producer, Writer, Director^[19]
• Darrin Fletcher, Director^[19]
• Larry King, Broadcaster^[19]
• Gregg Godfrey, Producer, Director/Founder of Nitro Circus^[19]
• Aly Landry, Miss America and Actress^[19]
• Sean Reyes, Attorney General of Utah^[19]
• Alex Boye, Musician^[19]
• Jeremy Horn, MMA Champion^[19]
• Glenn Beck, Reporter^[2]

Notes