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Survivor Harold D’Souza details labor trafficking experience in U.S.
D’Souza shared his story and urged students to advocate for human rights.
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Rwittika Chakraborty - Fri, 13, Mar 2026
- 03:35 EDT
- 25
Human trafficking survivor and global advocate Harold D’Souza / Courtesy Photo
Human trafficking survivor and global advocate Harold D’Souza delivered a talk to students at ‘GSFC University’ in Gujarat, recounting his experience of exploitation and his later work supporting trafficking survivors.
D’Souza, an Indian-origin activist and co-founder of Cincinnati-based ‘Eyes Open International,’ spoke during a session titled ‘Young Leaders: Global Impact’ held at the university’s SoT Auditorium. The event was organized by the university’s International Cell and attended by students and faculty.
ALSO READ: Survivor-Advocate Harold D’Souza warns of trafficking red flags
A former co-chair and member of the ‘U.S. White House Advisory Council on Human Trafficking,’ D’Souza described how he became a victim of labor trafficking and debt bondage in the United States.
He said traffickers often manipulate and intimidate victims to maintain control. D’Souza recalled being warned by his trafficker that escape would be impossible and that any attempt would lead to arrest and deportation.
Despite those threats, he said he eventually escaped and later turned his experience into a mission to raise awareness and support survivors around the world.
D’Souza also spoke about his upbringing in Gujarat and the values he learned from his family. He recounted how his father once slept on the platform of Dabhoi railway station while working as a train conductor.
During the talk, he highlighted the significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and urged students to promote awareness about human rights.
The session concluded with an interactive discussion in which students asked about overcoming fear, maintaining trust in difficult circumstances, and rebuilding life after trauma.
Encouraging students to turn challenges into opportunities, D’Souza said, “Never allow fear to silence your voice. Every one of you has the power to create change.”
The event ended with a recognition ceremony where Shilpa Vilish Gamit, Jahanvi Bansal, Ranjita Banerjee, and students of ‘GSFC University’ honored D’Souza for his work in raising awareness about human trafficking and supporting survivors.
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