Measuring Motivations: The Underlying Orientations of Religious Anti-Slavery Action 

Rights Lab project lead: Kevin Bales 
Funder:  Templeton Religion Trust 
Duration: May 2025-April 2028 
Programme: Law and Policy; Health and Communities 

Faith-based organizations are substantially involved in contemporary global anti-slavery/anti-trafficking efforts. They constitute a significant part of the anti-trafficking sector. We are completing new research on the nature of their distinctive roles in this sector, to bring more precision and scale to understanding the role of religion in combatting contemporary slavery. The global, mulit-faith study includes analyses of country context, specific theological elements, and intersections with policy and governance. Across clusters of religious attitudes and philosophical orientations across anti-trafficking organizations, we will identify and analyse the intellectual, theological, and practical linkage between faith and action.