Watch It's Happening Right Here

As the world becomes more connected than ever, it's easy to forget that terrible things still happen within our own borders. It's Happening Right Here, a 2022 documentary film directed by Brandon Kimber, sets out to expose the harsh reality of human trafficking in the United States. Through interviews with victims, law enforcement officials, and advocates, the film sheds light on this dark and insidious industry that preys on the most vulnerable members of our society.

The film centers around the work of Tim Ballard, a former Department of Homeland Security special agent who left his job to found Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing child trafficking victims and prosecuting their captors. The film follows Ballard and his team as they conduct stings, assess risk, and coordinate with law enforcement agencies to bring children out of harm's way.

Ballard is joined in the documentary by Glenn Beck, the conservative political commentator and founder of The Blaze. Beck offers his own perspective on the issue, arguing that human trafficking is not solely a leftist or right-wing issue, but rather a moral crisis that all Americans should be concerned about. The film also features appearances by Chris Swanson, the Genesee County, Michigan Sheriff who gained national attention for marching with Black Lives Matter protesters in 2020. Swanson weighs in on the need for law enforcement agencies to build trust with the communities they serve in order to effectively combat human trafficking.

Throughout the film, viewers are introduced to the heartbreaking stories of trafficking victims, many of whom were lured into the industry through false promises of jobs or education. The film does not shy away from the brutal realities of the situation, including the physical and psychological abuse that many victims endure. However, it also offers moments of hope, as survivors speak to the healing process and the importance of advocacy in ending this epidemic.

One of the most striking features of It's Happening Right Here is its focus on the role of technology in trafficking. The film illustrates how online marketplaces and social media platforms have facilitated the buying and selling of human beings, and how traffickers use the internet to evade detection. But the film also highlights the innovative ways that organizations like O.U.R. are using technology to fight back. For example, the organization has developed software that can identify patterns of trafficking activity and predict where the next victim might be taken.

Overall, It's Happening Right Here is a difficult but necessary watch. It is a call to action for viewers to become more aware of the problem of human trafficking in their own communities, and to support organizations and lawmakers who are working to combat it. It is also a tribute to the resilience of survivors and the bravery of those who have dedicated their lives to ending this scourge. As Tim Ballard puts it in the film, "This is not a problem that we can eliminate, but we can make it so difficult that people will stop trying." It's Happening Right Here is a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in making that goal a reality.

It's Happening Right Here is a 2023 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.2.