Faith And Tim Ballard: A Personal Journey

Tim Ballard is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church. He was raised in California and served a two-year mission to Chile as part of his faith. However, in 2023, the church denounced Ballard, accusing him of exploiting his friendship with a senior apostle, M. Russell Ballard, for personal gain. The church also condemned Ballard's activity regarded as morally unacceptable, which was not specified but was likely related to allegations of sexual misconduct that surfaced the same year.

Tim Ballard is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Ballard's work in anti-human trafficking has been inspired by his faith. He is the founder of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), a non-profit organisation dedicated to combating human trafficking and rescuing victims, particularly children, from trafficking rings. In his work with O.U.R., Ballard has claimed that his faith has played a significant role in his motivation to fight against trafficking and has even testified before the United States Congress on the issue.

However, in 2023, Ballard faced multiple accusations of sexual misconduct and assault by former employees and contractors of O.U.R. These allegations resulted in his removal as CEO of O.U.R. and led to several lawsuits being filed against him. In the wake of these allegations, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints publicly denounced Ballard, stating that his conduct was "'morally unacceptable' and that he had exploited his friendship with a senior Church leader for personal gain. Despite this, Ballard has continued to assert his membership in the Church, stating that he is a "member in good standing" and believes in the faith "with his whole heart".

He was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women

Timothy Ballard, the founder and former CEO of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), an anti-sex trafficking organization, was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women. The allegations first surfaced in 2023, leading to Ballard's removal as CEO and his departure from the organization.

Five women filed a lawsuit against Ballard, accusing him of coercing them into sexual acts during his sting operations. They claimed that Ballard asked them to pose as his wife and share a bed or shower with him to rescue sex trafficking victims. Another lawsuit was filed by a married couple, accusing Ballard of sexual assault and grooming. The couple alleged that Ballard used the "`couples ruse`, where women posed as his wife or girlfriend to fool traffickers, as a tool for sexual grooming.

In response to the allegations, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement condemning Ballard for "activity regarded as morally unacceptable." O.U.R. also released a statement, confirming that they had conducted an investigation into the allegations and that Ballard had resigned at the conclusion of that investigation. An independent law firm concluded that Ballard had "engaged in unprofessional behavior that violated OUR's policies and values."

Ballard denied the accusations, claiming that they were "baseless inventions designed to destroy me and the movement we have built to end the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children." He sued his accusers for defamation, but his lawsuit was dismissed. Despite the allegations and the subsequent denunciation by the Church, Ballard continued to deny any wrongdoing and questioned the veracity of the statements made against him.

In 2024, one of Ballard's accusers, Celeste Borys, was granted a sexual violence protective order against him. DNA evidence from semen found on Borys' skirt was confirmed to be a match to Ballard's DNA. As of November 2024, Ballard is facing a federal lawsuit from six women accusing him of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The women allege that Ballard used his position of influence and trust to exploit vulnerable individuals and that he coerced them into performing sex, labor, and other services for his personal benefit and the benefit of O.U.R.

He founded Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), an anti-trafficking organisation

Tim Ballard is the founder and former CEO of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), a non-profit, United States-based anti-sex trafficking organisation. Ballard founded O.U.R. in 2013, after serving 12 years as a U.S. Special Agent for the Department of Homeland Security. Ballard was frustrated with the lack of strategies employed to rescue kidnapped and trafficked children in underdeveloped nations and the inability to prosecute offenders in non-U.S. related cases.

O.U.R. is dedicated to ending sex trafficking and child exploitation while empowering survivors to heal and thrive. The organisation works with governments, service agencies, law enforcement, and communities worldwide to rescue those in need from sex trafficking and child exploitation. They support law enforcement operations, help provide essential care for survivors, and contribute to education and prevention efforts.

In 2015, Ballard testified before the United States Congress House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Global Human Rights, recommending procedures and practices for rescuing children from trafficking rings. In 2019, he was appointed to the White House Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking.

However, O.U.R. and Ballard have faced criticism and controversy. The organisation has been accused of exaggerating claims regarding its work, with no verified rescues performed by the group. In 2023, Ballard was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple employees, which led to his resignation. Several lawsuits have been filed against him and O.U.R., accusing Ballard of sexual assault, grooming, and coercing women into sexual acts during sting operations.

Despite the controversies, O.U.R. continues its mission to combat sex trafficking and support survivors. The organisation has reported millions in revenues and assets, with a presence in multiple countries.

Ballard was removed as CEO of O.U.R. and forced to leave in 2023

Timothy Ballard is the founder and former CEO of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), an anti–sex trafficking organization.

Ballard was removed as CEO and forced to leave O.U.R. in 2023 amid accusations of sexual misconduct by multiple employees. An anonymous letter sent to employees and donors of the anti-trafficking group asserted that Ballard had left the organization after an internal investigation into claims made by multiple employees. The contents of the letter were published on September 17, alleging a pattern of grooming and manipulation of women affiliated with the organization.

In the same week that the allegations were made public, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints publicly denounced Ballard, stating that he had used the name of church leader M. Russell Ballard (no relation) for personal gain, and calling his conduct "morally unacceptable". The governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, called the sexual misconduct allegations "disturbing" and "unconscionable" if true.

On September 28, several former employees and contractors released a statement through attorney Suzette Rasmussen affirming the allegations against Ballard, stating that they were "subjected to sexual harassment, spiritual manipulation, grooming, and sexual misconduct." That same morning, O.U.R. released a statement confirming that they had launched an investigation into the allegations when they were first made, and that at the conclusion of that investigation, Ballard resigned.

Shortly after Ballard's departure, five women filed a lawsuit against him, accusing him of coercing them into sexual acts during his sting operations. Another lawsuit was then filed by a married couple, accusing him of sexual assault and grooming. In October 2023, Utah Governor Spencer Cox called for a criminal investigation into Ballard's actions.

He is the inspiration behind the 2023 film Sound of Freedom

Tim Ballard is a prominent figure in the fight against human trafficking. He is the founder and former CEO of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), a non-profit organisation dedicated to stopping sex trafficking. Ballard's work has taken him around the world, from Colombia to Haiti, and he has testified before the United States Congress on the issue of human trafficking.

In 2023, a film inspired by Ballard's work was released: "Sound of Freedom". The film, starring Jim Caviezel as Ballard, follows a former US government agent who embarks on a mission to rescue children from sex traffickers in Colombia. It is based on Ballard's real-life experiences and his work with O.U.R.

However, despite the positive message of the film, Ballard has recently been embroiledsection embroiled in controversy. In 2023, he was removed as CEO of O.U.R. following accusations of sexual misconduct by multiple employees. Several lawsuits have been filed against him, and he has been publicly denounced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which he was a member. Ballard has denied the accusations, but the controversy has had a significant impact on his public image and legacy.

Despite the allegations, "Sound of Freedom" was a sleeper hit, grossing $250 million worldwide and becoming one of the most successful independent films in history. It received mixed reviews from critics but highly positive audience reception, with some praising its ability to shine a light on the crucial issue of human trafficking. The film's success can be partly attributed to its appeal to the often-overlooked faith-based audience, as well as its strong moral values.

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