Break the Chain
An award-winning independent documentary film and educational program showcasing the hidden-in-plain-sight issue of Human Trafficking within Michigan and the United States. The film features two survivors of sex and labor trafficking, providing a detailed look at how this crime goes unnoticed within our back yards. Break the Chain challenges the ever-increasing misconceptions surrounding human trafficking and calls on audiences to recognize their connection to this billion-dollar industry so that we may better choose what we support and how we break the chain. Post-production, the film functions as an educational training resource for students, law enforcement, first responders, social workers, and health care professionals. In 2018, Break the Chain received a national grant to tour the east coast as part of The MidAtlantic Arts Foundation On-Screen/In-Person Program - a program sponsored by The National Endowment for the Arts.
Project Partners & Sponsors
The Impact.
Raising Awareness.
Collaborated with anti-human trafficking nonprofits and campaigns to provide over 300 public screenings and training events throughout the United States.
Educating Our Youth.
Created age-appropriate educational programs for middle and high school students. Taught school teachers and staff to spot red flags and how to assist students that may be suspected of human trafficking.
Training Our Leaders.
Trained law enforcement, first-responders, healthcare workers, social workers, and political figures in human trafficking detection and response.
Advancing the Movement.
Developed the first human trafficking training program specific to first-responders for the largest mobile medical response unit in Michigan - MMR (mobile medical response).
Our Human Trafficking Educational Guide & Film Discussion Guide
To further educate audiences on human trafficking within the United States, we have created an 'Educational Guide' to accompany the film. The guide has been developed for high school and college-aged audiences and includes classroom/group discussion questions. Please feel free to download our guide and use it to educate your community!
Our Public School Program
Break the Chain is on a mission to educate all audiences with our initiative: The Public School Program. Educating our youth has proven to be an important step in the fight against human trafficking. Please review our Public School Program and consider bringing the issue of human trafficking to the forefront of your school.
Training for EMS & First Responders
First responders and EMS employees are often first to arrive on a scene and are in a place to recognize and report human trafficking. Students learn vital indicators to identify potential victims and provide the appropriate care and access to resources. The BTC First Responder training was designed by former Paramedic Instructor Coordinator David Swanson and was first employed at Mobile Medical Response.
To view all training materials and assessments, please provide your information below.
The Artists & Crew
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Laura E. Swanson
Co-Director, Producer, Production Manager, Training Facilitator
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Kirk Mason
Co-Director, Editor, Cinematographer
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Garret Gillingham
Music Composer
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Emily Sigler
Associate Producer
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Caitlin Woudstra
Associate Producer, Educational Guide Graphic Designer
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Savannah Smith
Camera Crew
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Emily Chen
Camera Crew
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Ian Siporin
Camera Crew
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Jennifer Berggren
Camera Crew
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Hunter Pamer
Camera Crew
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Michael Nabozny
Camera Crew
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David Root
Camera Crew, Drone
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Dani Dillon
Associate Producer, Camera Crew
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Chloe Hiner
Production Assistant
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Erica Marra
Production Assistant, Marketing Intern
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Becca Robinson
Production Assistant
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Tyler Luxe
Original Website Designer
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Elena Petrovich
Intern, Educational Guide Coordinator
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Kristina Moore
Graphic Design
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Casey Shipman
Production Assistant
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Elizabeth Weitzel
Writing Editor, Social Media
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Jena McShane
Photographer
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Glenn Steffens
Legal Assistant
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Casey Olson
Production Assistant
National & Michigan Resources
National Human Trafficking Hotline
1 (888) 373-7888
SMS: 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO") Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Vista Maria
We are driven by courage, love, and vision to help girls, youth and their families realize a life beyond trauma and ignite a life of possibility. We are fearless in our commitment to keep them safe and to make them strong, and our courageous compassion finds new ways to bring wholeness and possibility to those who need it most.
The Polaris Project
Polaris is a nonprofit non-governmental organization that works to combat and prevent sex and labor trafficking in North America
Michigan Abolitionist Project
We are working to prevent and end human trafficking in Michigan and beyond.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
As the nation's nonprofit clearinghouse and comprehensive reporting center for all issues related to the prevention of and recovery from child victimization, NCMEC leads the fight against abduction, abuse, and exploitation - because every child deserves a safe childhood.
Sanctum House
A sanctuary for women survivors of human trafficking.
The Michigan Human Trafficking Taskforce
To facilitate a collaborative effort to prevent trafficking of persons within the State of Michigan, to pursue prosecution of perpetrators, and to protect and actively support rehabilitation efforts for trafficking victims
Farmworkers Legal Services
A statewide, non-profit legal services provider that represents indigent immigrant, migrant, and seasonal farmworkers and their dependents throughout Michigan.
Set Free Spring Arbor
The set free movement seeks holistic freedom to end modern slavery and create new futures in partnerships with others and community-based action.
The University of Michigan Human Trafficking Clinic
The Human Trafficking Clinic faculty and students provide legal services to victims of labor and/or sex trafficking regardless of age, gender, or national origin.
Common Ground
Common Ground is a 24-hour crisis services agency dedicated to helping youths, adults, and families in crisis. Through our crisis line and in person, we provide professional and compassionate service to more than 80,000 people each year.
Slavey Footprint
Developing online and mobile tools, we are currently working directly with businesses to eradicate slavery from the products
we love.
Operation Underground Railroad
Providing services for survivors of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault and human slavery
Alternatives for Girls
Our mission is to help homeless and high-risk girls and young women avoid violence, teen pregnancy and exploitation, and help them to explore and access the support, resources and opportunities necessary to be safe, to grow strong and to make positive choices in their lives.
Project Liberty
We search, identify, and assist in the rescue and recovery of survivors.
The Alabaster Gift
The Alabaster Gift is committed to nurturing women who are currently and/or who have previously been involved in sexual and labor exploitation.
Screenings & Training
Screenings are now provided to Nonprofits and first responders FOR FREE!
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, most in-person public screening events have been limited. Small private group training is available given proper safety precautions. To request a future screening event or professional training, please fill out the form below.
Public Community Screenings
This list does not comprise all past and future screenings/awareness events. To request more information on an upcoming community screening, please email creative.embersnonprofit@gmail.com
June 4, 2021
In-Person Training - Evergreen Set Free Movement Team
Ann Arbor, Michigan
December 2, 2021
Ocean County College
Toms River, New Jersey
February 16, 2021
Virtual Screening - Juvenile Court Services
Grand Rapids, Michigan
September 2021
Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
January 21, 2021
Virtual Screening - The Yoga & Well-Being Center
San Francisco, California
November 18, 2020
Virtual Screening - Survivors United Against Sex Trafficking
Houston, Texas
September 29, 2020
Virtual Screening - Montana State
Billings, Montana
August 15, 2020
Virtual Screening - Shared Hope International
Beacon, New York
February 29, 2020
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Lansing, Michigan
January 18, 2020
Battle Creek Friends Church & The Beloved Ministry
Battle Creek, Michigan
November 20, 2019
Eastern Michigan University - Physician Assistant Program
Ypsilanti, Michigan
October 19, 2019
Samaritas & Allen Neighborhood Center
Lansing, Michigan
August 11. 2019
Shared Hope
Henderson, Nevada
May 16, 2019
Centerline High School Student/Teacher Training
CenterLine, Michigan
April 25, 2019
The 48th Circuit Court - Free Public Community Training @ The Regent Theatre
Allegen, Michigan
March 19, 2019
Eastern Michigan University - Physicians Assistant Student Organization
Ypsilanti, Michigan
March 4, 2019
Meceola Human Trafficking Taskforce & United Methodist Church
Reed City, Michigan
February 20, 2019
University of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, Michigan
January 20, 2019
Central Michigan University - The Park Library Auditorium
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
January 8, 2019
Look Beneath the Surface Annual Human Trafficking Conference
Phoenix, Arizona
December 20, 2018
Center Line High School Student/Teacher Trainings w/The Alabaster Gift
Centerline, Michigan
December 6, 2018
Benzie Area Zonta Club & Mills Community House
Benzonia, Michigan
November 8, 2018
Delta College & The Michigan Abolitionist Project
Saginaw, Michigan
October 15, 2018
Lake Orion/Oxford Community Group & Michigan Abolitionist Project
Oxford, Michigan
September 27, 2018
Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation 2018/2019 Tour & Millersville University
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
September 23, 2018
Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation 2018/2019 Tour & Light Up the Queen
Willmington, Delaware
September 19, 2018
Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation 2018/2019 Tour & Appell Center for Performing Arts
York, Pennsylvania
September 13, 2018
Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation 2018/2019 Tour & The Wayne Theatre
Waynesboro, Virginia
August 16, 2018
Professional & Service Provider Screening: Hurley Trauma Recovery Center
Flint, Michigan
June 17, 2018
Empower Youth!
Aberdeen, Scotland
June 5, 2018
Delhi Township Fire Department
Delhi Township, Michigan
May 17, 2018
Challenge of Children Conference & Hope College
Holland, Michigan
May 10, 2018
Thurston High School
Redford, Michigan
April 30, 2018
Lapeer County KIND & Lapeer County Commissioner
Lapeer, Michigan
April 27, 2018
Human Trafficking: Look Beneath the Surface Conference
Nashville, Tennessee
April 14, 2018
UCC Women of Detroit & Detroit Crime Commission
Detroit, Michigan
March 31, 2018
The 2018 Women in Media Film Festival
Newark, New Jersey
March 27, 2018
Alma Police Department & Alma College
Alma, Michigan
March 15, 2018
National Association of Social Workers & Grand Valley State University
Grand Rapids, Michigan
February 22, 2018
Standing Sun Winery, US Acorn Project & Human Rights Watch
Santa Barbara, California
February 9, 2018
Mid Michigan Community College
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
January 31, 2018
Macomb Community College Central Campus
Warren, Michigan
January 25, 2018
Crossroads Church - Human Trafficking Conference
Marshall, Michigan
January 23, 2018
Human Trafficking Work Group
Grand Rapids, Michigan
January 15, 2018
Van Buren Conference Center - Southwest Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force
Lawrence, Michigan
December 2, 2017
Mind the Independent Film Festival
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
November 11, 2017
Rivertown Film Festival
Clinton, New Jersey
October 24, 2017
Zonta International
San Francisco, California
October 14, 2017
Monroe County Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition
Monroe, Michigan
October 8, 2017
Chagrin Documentary Film Festival
Chagrin Falls, Ohio
August 2, 2017
Metro-Region Lansing Fire Departments Training
East Lansing, Michigan
June 6, 2017
Ingham County Child Protective Services Training
Lansing, Michigan
April 12, 2017
Shrine High School
Royal Oak, Michigan
April 11, 2017
University of Michigan School of Nursing
Ann Arbor, Michigan
March 13, 2017
Walsh University
Canton, Ohio
March 3, 2017
THE MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT
Lansing, Michigan
February 23, 2017
Premiere Screening Event - Studio C Theatres
Okemos, Michigan
January 12, 2017
Kalamazoo Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition - Educational Test Screening
Kalamazoo, Michigan
October 14, 2016
Set Free Spring Arbor - Educational Test Screening
Jackson, Michigan
February 27, 2020
Paul Robeson Galleries/Rutgers University - Women's History Film Festival 2020
Newark, New Jersey
January 15, 2020
Grand Valley State University - Center for Women and Gender Equity
Grand Rapids, Michigan
November 13, 2019
Lake City Methodist Church
Lake City, Michigan
September 27, 2019
Michigan Municipal League Conference - Panel on Human Trafficking
Detroit, Michigan
July 28, 2019
North Star Center for Healing
Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 14, 2019
Troy High School Student/Teacher Training
Troy, Michigan
April 10, 2019
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
March 14, 2019
Sanctum House & The Farmington Hills Community Library
Farmington Hills, Michigan
February 28, 2019
Campus Ministry College - Catholic Relief Services
Duluth, Minnesota
February 4, 2019
Macomb Community College-Central Campus
Warren, Michigan
January 28, 2019
Zonta Club of Northwest Wayne County & Plymouth Public Library
Plymouth, Michigan
January 8, 2019
Powell Middle School Student/Teacher Training with The Alabaster Gift
Washington, Michigan
December 11, 2018
Troy High School Student/Teacher Training with The Alabaster Gift
Troy, Michigan
December 2, 2018
Zonta Club of Essex County & New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking
Madison, New Jersey
October 18, 2018
Brightmoor Christian Church - Rahabs Outreach
Novi, Michigan
October 3, 2018
Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force Annual Conference & Saginaw Valley State
Saginaw, Michigan
September 26, 2018
Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation 2018/2019 Tour & Reading Area Comm. College
Reading, Pennsylvania
September 21, 2018
Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation 2018/2019 Tour & University of Pittsburgh
Bradford, Pennsylvania
September 17, 2018
Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation 2018/2019 Tour & Atlas Performing Arts Center
Washington D.C.
September 11, 2018
Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation 2018/2019 Tour
Beckley, West Virginia
August 10, 2018
Human Trafficking Community Group & Forward Conference Center
West Branch, Michigan
June 15, 2018
2018 High Peak Independent Film Festival
New Mills, England
May 17, 2018
The Historical State Theatre of Bay City
Bay City, Michigan
May 16, 2018
Zonta Club of Kankakee & Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois
May 10, 2018
Buchanan Christian Church & Buchanan High School
Buchanan, Michigan
April 29, 2018
Motor City Nightmares Horror Expo & Film Festival
Novi, Michigan
April 19, 2018
AgroLiquid, Judge Michelle Rick & Senator Judy Emmons
St. Johns, Michigan
April 12, 2018
MSU School of Criminal Justice & School of Social Work
East Lansing, Michigan
March 28, 2018
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan
March 20, 2018
Meceola Human Trafficking Task Force
Big Rapids, Michigan
March 8, 2018
Pasadena International Film Festival
Pasadena, California
February 21, 2018
Museum of Ventura County, US Acorn Project & The Polaris Project
Ventura, California
January 31, 2018
Wayne State University - President's Commission on the Status of Women
Detroit, Michigan
January 31, 2018
Redeemer Church
DeWitt, Michigan
January 25, 2018
The Underground Railroad
Saginaw, Michigan
January 20, 2018
California State University San Bernardino Student Union Events Center
San Bernadino, California
January 11, 2018
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital
Pontiac, Michigan
November 16, 2017
Michigan State University Law School
East Lansing, Michigan
November 11, 2017
East Lansing Film Festival - Lake Michigan Film Competition
East Lansing, Michigan
October 14, 2017
Equality International Film Festival
Berkley, California
October 14, 2017
Awareness Film Festival
Los Angeles, California
September 21, 2017
Genesee County Human Trafficking Task Force
Flint, Michigan
August 1, 2017
Metro Region Lansing Fire Departments Training
East Lansing, Michigan
May 23, 2017
Rotary Club of EL
East Lansing, Michigan
April 21, 2017
Michigan State University RCAH
East Lansing, Michigan
April 6, 2017
Sanctum House Fundraiser Event
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
March 23, 2017
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, Michigan
March 3, 2017
Thorneapple Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan
January 27, 2017
St. John Macomb Oakland Hospital - Educational Test Screening
Warren, Michigan
November 10, 2016
Michigan Abolitionist Project - Educational Test Screening
Midland, Michigan
September 29, 2018
Monroe County Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition - Test Screening
Monroe, Michigan
January 21, 2020
Michigan Abolitionist Project, Port Huron Community Group, St. Claire Community College
Port Huron, Michigan
December 9, 2019
Regional County Services
Fort Wayne, Indiana
October 23, 2019
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
September 24, 2019
West Shore Community College
Scottville, Michigan
June 21, 2019
Ottawa Area Human Trafficking Taskforce & Ottawa Area Intermediate School District
Holland, Michigan
May 5. 2019
Cement City Baptist Church
Cement City, Michigan
March 21, 2019
Michigan Speech Language Hearing Association @ Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
East Lansing, Michigan
March 4, 2019
Zonta Club of Northwest Wayne County & Plymouth Public Library
Plymouth, Michigan
February 20, 2019
Junior League of Bay Region Area & The Historical State Theatre of Bay City
Bay City, Michigan
January 31, 2019
University of California-Davis & The Aggies for Humanity
Davis, California
January 18, 2019
C.A.R.E.S. of Farmington Hills (Community . Action. Resources. Empowerment. Services)
Farmington Hills, Michigan
January 3, 2019
Mason Crisis Intervention Services
Mason, Iowa
December 6, 2018
Lakeview High School Student/Teacher Training with The Alabaster Gift
St. Claire Shores, Michigan
November 11, 2018
Crossroads Community Church & Meceola Human Trafficking Taskforce
Evart, Michigan
November 1, 2018
Mason Crisis Intervention Services
Mason, Iowa
September 30, 2018
Grand Haven Community Artist Series & First Presbyterian Church
Grand Haven, Michigan
September 25, 2018
Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation 2018/2019 Tour & Montgomery Comm. College
Bluebell, Pennsylvania
September 21, 2018
Bradford-Area High School
Bradford, Pennsylvania
September 16, 2018
Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation 2018/2019 Tour & Black Rock Center for the Arts
Germantown, Maryland
August 25, 2018
Shanty Creek Estate
Bellaire, Michigan
July 10, 2018
Screening & Training: Consumers Energy Corporate Offices
Jackson, Michigan
June 14, 2018
Safe Harbor Support
Detroit, Michigan
May 17, 2018
Lakeshore Human Trafficking Task Force & Celebration Cinema Carousel
Muskegon, Michigan
May 12, 2018
Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services (STARS) Training
Saginaw, Michigan
May 2, 2018
Sebewaing Rotary Club & Sons Life Missionary Church
Sebewaing, Michigan
April 27, 2018
Buchanan High School Teacher Professional Development Day
Buchanan, Michigan
April 13, 2018
Branch County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force
Coldwater, Michigan
April 3, 2018
Dragonfly Program
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
March 28, 2018
The US Acorn Project & The 44th District Assembly
Thousand Oaks, California
March 16, 2018
Northwestern Michigan College Human Trafficking Conference
Traverse City, Michigan
February 27, 2018
Maple Theatre & Junior League of Birmingham
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
February 21, 2018
Human Rights Watch
Los Angeles, California
January 31, 2018
Macomb Community College South Campus
Warren, Michigan
January 27, 2018
Voyage Church & Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition
Kalamazoo, Michigan
January 24, 2018
Van Buren Conference Center & Southwest Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force
Lawrence, Michigan
January 18, 2018
WKAR & Capital Area Anti-Trafficking Alliance
East Lansing, Michigan
December 27, 2017
Miami Independent Online Film Festival
Miami, Florida
November 21, 2017
Michigan Career and Technical Institute
Plainwell, Michigan
November 3, 2017
Portland Film Festival
Portland, Oregon
November 2, 2017
Monroe County Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition
Adrian, Michigan
October 4, 2017
Red Finch Film Festival
Orem, Utah
September 26, 2017
Ingham County Youth Center
Lansing, Michigan
June 1, 2017
Michigan Peer Support Specialist Conference
Lansing, Michigan
May 23, 2017
Girl Scouts Screening
Eaton Rapids, Michigan
April 10, 2017
Lansing Sexton High School
Lansing, Michigan
April 4, 2017
Washington Township Fire Department Training
Washington, Michigan
March 7, 2017
Bedford High School
Bedford, Michigan
February 28, 2017
Lakeshore High School
Stevensville, Michigan
January 11, 2017
Hollywood Cinefest Film Festival
Sherman Oaks, California
October 15, 2016
Crossroads Church & Ministries - Educational Test Screening
Marshall, Michigan
September 26, 2016
Alternatives for Girls - Educational Test Screening
Detroit, Michigan