The Slave in Your Backyard: The Local Reality of Human Trafficking

2025

IMDb RATING

9.4/10

YOUR RATING

The Slave in Your Backyard: The Local Reality of Human Trafficking (2025)

"Human trafficking" in the popular imagination often conjures images of dramatic kidnappings, crime syndicates, and shipping containers. Such things are a reality, but for the majority of those involved with fighting trafficking and helping survivors...and for the survivors themselves...the realities of human trafficking are typically much more subtle and manipulative, built upon abusive and psychologically controlling relationships.

The Slave in Your Backyard: The Local Reality of Human Trafficking, reveals the dark reality of human trafficking as it typically exists in average communities across the US. The film features the story of Heather Pagan who was initially trafficked around the age of 14 by a boyfriend who convinced her that they were building something together that would take her away from the brokenness of her own home and family. Heather tells about the harsh realities of a life bound in drugs and commercial sex as well as the redemptive tale of her escape from "the life" after 18 years of being trafficked.

The nefarious workings of the trade in human persons that touches all walks of life and types of people is further exposed by a former sex trafficker, Bruce, who tells the story of the abusive realities that led to his own entry into a life of crime and trafficking in sex and drugs. He shares his own redemptive story of the near death encounter from being shot 9 times and left paralyzed, an experience that transformed him from what he calls, "one of the evilest people you would ever meet," into a man who is not afraid to speak truth and expose evil.

Woven throughout these central narratives, the stories of other victims and survivors as well as commentary from law enforcement officials and members of various organizations active in the fight against human trafficking combine to raise awareness and empower the average person to help end the evil of human trafficking right in their backyard.

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Documentary

The Slave in Your Backyard exposes the hidden reality of human trafficking in everyday communities. Featuring survivor Heather Pagán and former trafficker Bruce, this documentary sheds light... Read allThe Slave in Your Backyard exposes the hidden reality of human trafficking in everyday communities. Featuring survivor Heather Pagán and former trafficker Bruce, this documentary sheds light on the fight to end trafficking.The Slave in Your Backyard exposes the hidden reality of human trafficking in everyday communities. Featuring survivor Heather Pagán and former trafficker Bruce, this documentary sheds light on the fight to end trafficking.

Directors
- Daniel Fisher
- T. Scott Reeves
Writer
- T. Scott Reeves

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

9.4/10

YOUR RATING

Directors
- Daniel Fisher
- T. Scott Reeves
Writer
- T. Scott Reeves

6User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

User reviews6

Featured review

10/10

Powerful & Informative Documentary

The Slave in Your Backyard is an eye-opening and necessary documentary that sheds light on the harsh reality of human trafficking in our own communities. Often, we think of trafficking as a distant issue...something that happens in far-off places, but this film powerfully dismantles that misconception, revealing just how close to home this crisis truly is and how easily it can go unnoticed.

Informative, enlightening, and deeply educational, the film presents real-life stories, expert insights, and shocking truths that force us to recognize the hidden suffering happening around us. It challenges viewers to not only be aware but also to take action, whether through advocacy, education, or supporting survivors in meaningful ways.