In Business for Freedom: An Interview with Annie Hilton from Freeset Global

We’re thrilled for the release of Trade of Innocents in the fall and want to invite you into our excitement. We’re interviewing people and organizations on the subject of human trafficking in preparation for the movie. Perhaps you’ve heard of some of our friends. Maybe some of these names will be new to you.

We want to introduce you to our friend Annie Hilton, co-founder of

Freeset Global, a Fair Trade organization that offers employment to Kolkata women trapped in the sex trade. Want a Fair Trade shirt or bag, or seeking to custom advertise your business? You won’t want to miss Freeset products!

1. What led to the formation and your involvement with Freeset? How did you find out about the needs and how did you know where to start meeting them?

My husband and our 4 children moved from New Zealand to Kolkata, India in 1999. Naively, we found ourselves living on the edge of the largest red-light area. This prompted us to see what we could do to help those in our immediate neighbourhood. The more we interacted with the women, we heard stories of trafficking and forced prostitution and realised that the women here felt they had no choice but to continue in the sex-trade.

There seemed to be no alternative offered - firstly, by society which deemed them as social outcastes and secondly - poverty kept them trapped in the trade. So we sought to provide them with the choice of freedom. Freeset (set free) was founded in 2001 as a business to set people free.

2. How would you describe the role of Freeset and its impact in the fight to abolish trafficking? 

From its inception Freeset has sought to change the lives of those who have been trafficked or are the daughters and granddaughters of women who have been trafficked in the past. Our mission statement is: In business for freedom. These women are the agents of change for their own lives and for their own community. As they grow in independence, confidence, dignity, and begin to have their lives restored they have the ability to impact others still in the sex-trade.

From 20 women in 2001 to a staff of 200+ by 2012 - we are very aware that there are still an estimated 10,000 women still trapped in the sex-trade. In our future planning we want to be involved in prevention of young girls being bought and sold and will intentionally seek to plant freedom businesses in those areas known to have high incidences of trafficking. We have worked tirelessly in the past 10 years to restore lives, now we want to join in the fight to prevent that from happening in the first place!

3. What surprised you the most in learning about human trafficking?

Even after nearly 13 years - I still grow sad by each and every story I hear of human trafficking. The problem is just so big and so evil. I don't know that I am surprised by it - just deeply impacted to do something about it!

4. How has your vision been shaped in this process?

My vision has certainly been changed and shaped by the amazing women that I am proud to call sisters. As I have heard their stories and journeyed with them I dare to dream that one day, our neighbourhood will no longer be known as a red- light area but rather one of hope and transformation. To hear from them that we (Freeset) need to grow and grow - to reach those 10,000 women still standing in line - then, they are the true visionaries and we are the followers and facilitators of this.

5. How can the average person get involved with Freeset or help in the fight against human trafficking?

What can individuals do to help Freeset? - Then, firstly the answer is easy. Buy a Freeset bag or tee shirt! Our women sew beautiful products and we are proud of what they have achieved. They are not asking for a hand-out - but would prefer to work hard. If you hear of any conferences, sports event or any activity that usually gives out bags or tees - then please pass our details onto them. They can be assured that we, as a company, will work hard to ensure a beautiful product and that all profit is put back into the business so that more girls/women can be given the opportunity of freedom.

 As we look to expand and develop other products and services - then we need help and expertise. Our website advertises vacancies eg. graphic design, garment/fashion manufacturing experience, product development, etc. We have many opportunities for short and long-term volunteers .

If there is to be any impact at all in the global human trafficking arena - it will take all of us as global citizens to stand up and be counted in the fight against it. It is too huge a problem to be tackled by just a few! So please, in your own towns and cities - become informed of the issues - visit or contact organisations that are working in your communities. Become informed, advocate and become a voice for those whose voices have been subdued.

6. What product seems to be the most popular at this time?

Our most popular product at the present is our HOPE bag. This is made of soft jute (burlap) and is lined with organic cotton. Each bag has a sari strip and sari-braided handles made out of vintage sari fabric (a sari is the most common dress of the Indian woman) and each bag is unique. The name of the bag says it all - Hope! Each bag is made by women experiencing Hope!

7. What is one of your favorite memories from your time with Freeset?

I have so many favourite memories – it’s hard to choose. I guess one of my highlights was the birth of little Aditi, now almost 4 years old. Aditi's mum, Dola (I have asked her permission to use her name and story) was one of the 20 of our original Freeset staff. Her mum was in the trade and when she heard we had started asked if we could take Dola as well - she didn't want her daughter to enter the trade.

Over the years, we have watched Dola grow into a beautiful young independent woman who was able to choose her own husband. To be at the hospital when Aditi was born was such a privilege and definitely a highlight! For this tiny wee girl - the cycle had truly been broken!

8. If you could relive any one of your birthdays, which would it be?

My favourite birthday - well that’s easy – it’s Freeset's birthday – September 17^th! Could I relive it? - well I wouldn’t really want to - each and every birthday becomes a milestone as we, as a community celebrate lives restored and dream of freedom for many, many more! 

Thank you, Annie, for sharing Freeset's story with us! Can’t wait to see what other products you guys come up with!

Like Freeset on Facebook.

Follow @Freeset on Twitter.

Watch Freeset on YouTube.

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