Impossible is a Dare Read online

  ‘Hope for Justice truly are modern-day abolitionists.’

  Stephen Fry, actor and comedian

  ‘Incredibly brave and life-saving work.’

  Bear Grylls, Chief Scout

  ‘For many years, I have admired the passion, drive and excellence that Hope for Justice has applied in the fight against human trafficking. Ben Cooley is a visionary leader who has an incredible gift: he has not only started an organization, he has also built a movement. This book is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to learn about the highs and lows of leadership, and how to deliver their vision.’

  Sir Brian Souter, founder and Chairman, Stagecoach Group

  ‘The story of Hope for Justice is an important one. Throughout the UK and across the world, the issues of human trafficking and modern-day slavery have become increasingly high profile. The work that Hope for Justice does to combat these injustices is inspiring. This book not only shares the heart of the organization but also some great insights into how slavery can be eradicated for good. I would highly commend the charity and this book to anyone.’

  Ram Gidoomal, Chairman, Traidcraft

  ‘Ben Cooley is an inspiring leader. He has met every challenge with great wisdom and humility. Hope for Justice has become a key player in the fight against modern-day slavery; its members’ influence and experience as practitioners and advocates are incredibly important for businesses, governments and individuals to learn from. I would highly commend this book and hope it can be a catalyst for genuine transformation.’

  Sir Peter Vardy, Chairman, Vardy Group

  ‘More than two years ago, with input from leading stakeholders and industry experts, we created a bold vision not only to fight the horrific practice of modern-day slavery but to end it, and, in December 2016, the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act was signed into law. Hope for Justice played a critical role in those efforts, and I appreciate the work this important organization continues to do to rescue and restore victims of modern slavery.’

  Bob Corker, US Senator for Tennessee

  ‘Impossible Is a Dare is a powerful reminder that, when it comes to standing up for the vulnerable – such as victims of modern slavery – there is no excuse for inaction. Ben Cooley’s story is full of compassion, inspiration and, importantly, action . . . It speaks to us all about the value of taking personal responsibility for the welfare of others.’

  David Burrowes, MP for Enfield, Southgate

  ‘Ben’s vision for Hope for Justice is inspirational and his sacrifice truly humbling. This book moves seamlessly between the story of Ben’s faith in starting this amazing organization, his obedience to the call of God on his life, and the stories of those people Hope for Justice seeks to help. I would recommend this book to all who are looking to do the impossible with their lives, in whatever way God is calling, and to take up the dare as Ben did – the world needs you!’

  Tim Hughes, Worship Central

  ‘I have a huge amount of respect for Ben and Hope for Justice. Their commitment to rescuing and restoring those trapped in slavery is an inspiration. This book is not only a call to end trafficking but a challenge to each one of us to overcome seemingly impossible situations in our own lives. A fantastic read!’

  Steve McClaren, former manager, England football team

  ‘This book reveals in part the ongoing journey of Ben Cooley and Hope for Justice, a journey that is both intentional and highly inspirational. I wholeheartedly commend Impossible Is a Dare to those committed to taking action against modern-day slavery.’

  Mick Layton, Deputy Director (retired), Serious Organised Crime Agency

  ‘Hope for Justice does incredible work around the world, and we are delighted to commend the organization and Ben to all readers.’

  John and Debby Wright, National Directors, Vineyard Churches, UK and Ireland

  ‘This is a book of stories – compassionate stories – of lovely human beings. Some have struggled with exploitation and barbaric treatment that no human being should suffer; others have faced the challenge of responding sacrificially and consistently to the glaring injustices in our world. These are all stories that need to be told, and Ben Cooley does that so well, weaving them into his own personal narrative. I know the book will find a wide audience. I believe it will also draw many people to reflect on the part they can play in the work of bringing greater hope for justice.’

  Elaine Storkey, philosopher, sociologist, theologian and author of Scars Across Humanity: Understanding and overcoming violence against women

  ‘This is much more than a business book or inspiring story – this is a rallying call to all of us to step up and meet the challenges in front of us. No great achievement has ever been easy – all it takes to get started is a commitment to pursue your passion. Ben will inspire, challenge and encourage you to get started.’

  Michael O’Neil, CEO, Stewardship

  ‘When Ben Cooley first heard about the plight of those caught in modern-day slavery, he was young and naive enough to believe that someone with audacious courage could see slavery cease within a generation. The crisis affects millions, but the cause that Ben lives for is to set free every enslaved individual . . . Read this book, we dare you!’

  Glyn and Sophia Barrett, !Audacious Church, Manchester

  Ben Cooley is an outstanding leader, an innovator and a passionate and determined crusader. His book reveals every aspect of his tenacious character. You will be stirred in your spirit and moved to action not only by his personality, which comes through every page of the book, but also by the stories that he tells.

  Ken Costa, author and Dean, Leadership College, London

  First published in Great Britain in 2017

  Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge

  36 Causton Street

  London SW1P 4ST

  www.spck.org.uk

  Copyright © Hope for Justice 2017

  Ben Cooley and the authors of individual sections in this work have asserted their rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the Authors of such.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  The Scripture quotations Psalm 72:2, Psalm 72:12, Psalm 72:14 and Hebrews 3:13 are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version (Anglicized edition). Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica (formerly International Bible Society). Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Publishers, an Hachette UK company. All rights reserved. ‘NIV’ is a registered trademark of Biblica (formerly International Bible Society). UK trademark number 1448790.

  The Scripture quotation on Proverbs 23:7 is adapted from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  Every effort has been made to acknowledge fully the sources of material reproduced in this book. The publisher apologizes for any omissions that may remain and, if notified, will ensure that full acknowledgements are made in a subsequent edition.

  Some names have been changed to protect identities.

  British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

  A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

  ISBN: 978–0–281–07884–4

  eBook ISBN: 978–0–281–07885–1

  Typeset in Great Britain by CRB Associates, Potterhanworth, Lincolnshire

  Manufacture managed by Jellyfish

  First printed in Great Britain by CPI

  Subsequently digitally printed in Great Britain

  eBook by CRB Associates, Potterhanworth, Lincol
nshire

  Produced on paper from sustainable forests

  Contents

  Acknowledgements

  Prologue

  Chapter one Waiting for Sarah

  Stories to share

  Chapter two Khalianna’s story

  Passion and purpose

  Another side to the story

  Rob and Marion White, co-founders of Hope for Justice

  Chapter three Tobias and Elena’s story

  Gathering momentum

  Another side to the story

  Tim Nelson, International Development Director, Hope for Justice

  Chapter four Amaya’s story

  Welcome to Mumbai

  Another side to the story

  Peter Stanley, former Strategy Director at Stop the Traffik

  Chapter five Jared’s story

  Taking the stand

  Another side to the story

  Patrick Thompson, Rend Collective

  Chapter six Magdalene’s story

  What now?

  Another side to the story

  Jeremy Alford, former Hope for Justice Director of Operations

  Chapter seven Lucas’s story

  Structure, strategy, sustainability

  Another side to the story

  Philippa roberts, solicitor and legal director, hope for justice

  Chapter eight Zoe’s story

  Zoe’s challenge

  Another side to the story

  Tom Lister, actor and Hope for Justice Ambassador

  Chapter nine William and Samuel’s story

  Family matters

  Another side to the story

  Deb Cooley, co-founder of Hope for Justice

  Chapter ten Ma Ni’s story

  Better together

  Natalie’s story

  Natalie Grant, singer, songwriter and co-founder of Hope for Justice (Intl.)

  Another side to the story

  Athena Pond, International Programme Operations Director and co-founder of Hope for Justice (intl.)

  Chapter eleven Elita’s story

  We don’t have time

  Another side to the story

  Elita, victim of human trafficking and rescuee of Hope for Justice

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  If you had told me years ago that one day I would write a book, I wouldn’t have believed you. I could never have written a book. It was impossible. Well, it turns out that this belief was only half true. I could never write a book . . . alone. This book and, more importantly, the stories told within it, could not have happened without so many different people. If I were to thank everyone by name, well . . . we’d need another book! So to all those I don’t have space to mention here, thank you so much!

  To Deb, Isabel and Lilly, thank you for just being the best! Life with you is the greatest adventure. A huge thank you as well to the rest of my family: Mum, Dad – you guys are amazing.

  Rob and Marion, this story couldn’t be told without you! Thank you for contributing to this book – and, more importantly, for investing so much time, wisdom (and patience!) in me.

  Tony and Viv, the support you have given our family literally blows my mind. Thank you so much.

  Glyn and Sophia . . . thanks for your guidance, leadership and friendship!

  To all the team at Hope for Justice, what can I say? This story would not be the same without you. The work all of you do – from the oldest to the newest member – is invaluable, and this journey would not be as passionate, purposeful or, let’s face it – fun – without you. And to all who attended book club throughout the years . . . do you reckon this one would make the cut?!

  Gareth, thank you for your tireless work on this project – your passion for it has been there from the start and has never wavered. Thank you so much for everything you have brought to it. To the team at SPCK, to Steve and Elizabeth (you stars!), thank you for your guidance through the weird and wonderful world of publishing – I know I’ve not been the easiest of authors (after all, I think ‘impossible’ is a dare!) but I have been truly humbled by the hard work and dedication shown throughout. To Tim and Rob, your patience throughout this project has been phenomenal, thank you.

  To all the trustees of Hope for Justice, thank you so much for your consistent guidance. To Peter, our wonderful chairman, thank you for your wisdom.

  Natalie, Stacia, James and Athena, thank you for your part in this story and, more importantly, the vital part you all continue to play in Hope for Justice. I’m so glad we did this! I’m so very proud of what we have achieved and are continuing to achieve together.

  I want to say a big thank you to our supporters. These stories of freedom are your stories. You really made them happen.

  And finally, I want to thank my dog Jessie . . . you (and your barking!) literally get me up every morning.

  Prologue

  Everybody has a dream. Everybody has something they’re passionate about. It might be living in a world free from slavery, it might be mending broken relationships within your family, it might be impacting others through word, song or dance. Everybody has an ‘impossible’ they hope for. Through this book and the important stories of others held within it, I hope that you discover or reaffirm your ‘impossible’ and are encouraged to see it for what it is: nothing but a dare.

  Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it.

  Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion.

  Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare.

  Impossible is potential.

  Impossible is temporary.

  Impossible is nothing.

  (Muhammad Ali)

  Chapter one

  Waiting for Sarah

  There are so many details I remember from that day. The hotel lobby looked so plain, so normal, so everyday: the setting for a thousand meetings. But this meeting was different. I was about to meet a girl we’d rescued from trafficking for sexual exploitation.

  I wait quietly, trying to clear my mind, but find I can’t stop shuffling in my seat. I check my phone constantly, waiting for the call. My small team has briefed me. Her name was Sarah. She was 19 years old and had spent the past five years trafficked throughout Europe’s sex industry. She was forced to work in brothels where men had three to five minutes of her time. She was someone’s daughter, raped for profit.

  Like many teenage girls, Sarah kept a diary. But instead of filling it with hopes and dreams, she used it to keep count of how many men she was forced to service each day. One day she wrote down the number ‘117’.

  My phone startles me from my thoughts. Our team have collected her safely and are on their way at last. I had thought my role was simple enough but as the moment ticks closer it seems an impossible task: to help this girl believe there’s hope where for so long there seemed none; to tell her her nightmare has ended and that she can begin again.

  All my preparation for this moment suddenly seems terrifyingly inadequate as I think how empty my words might sound to a girl betrayed. She had been raped, degraded and humiliated. What could I possibly say to restore her faith in humanity?

  Time’s up. I have to swallow this self-doubt because I’ve just recognized my team member entering the lobby. Sarah stays at arm’s length as she crosses the room. She’s wearing a dark tracksuit top over her working attire; only a few hours ago men were wrestling those same clothes from her fragile body. The brothel where she was servicing them is not all that far from here.

  I’ve never seen a person so afraid; terror inhabits every movement she makes. She’s gently directed to the seat across from me. She curls up in it, tucking her legs under her chair and wrapping her arms tightly around her chest. She’s shaking. Her eyes are darting about. I stop myself from wondering what those eyes must have seen.

  We each order a drink and sit in silence until the waitress walks away. Then, quiet
ly, I introduce myself, trying desperately to look reassuring. Sarah says nothing. I start talking about the options for her now, describing the aftercare that’s available and the people who can help. Nothing is reaching her. She just stares back, her knuckles white from clenching her drink so tightly that I think she’ll shatter the glass. I’m searching for the right words, words that will truly let her know she’s safe. I close my eyes, offer a quick prayer and start talking: ‘Sarah, we want to put you in a place where you can have your freedom back.’

  She lifts her head and looks me full in the face. With lifeless eyes she utters these words so clinically my heart breaks: ‘I won’t cry.’ More words come tumbling out: ‘I’ll never cry about this. You don’t know how it feels. To be abused so badly you can’t even walk. You don’t know what it feels like to be beaten and raped for years and years. I’ll never cry about this. Every day and night I was forced to sleep with fat, old, sweaty men; dribbling and drooling all over me. I have no-one in my life who’s there for me. Do you know how bad that is, Ben?’ She emphasizes my name as if to say: ‘You don’t know me.’ ‘Do you know how that makes you feel? I can never be free from it. Don’t tell me I can be free from this.’

  I remember to breathe. ‘I’m not trying to make you cry’, I say. ‘What I want to do is tell you that it’s over. What was done to you was wrong and we want to put it in the past. We believe there is a future for you; we believe there is hope.’ Now that the time has come I can find more words about freedom and fresh starts and life. Gradually her head sinks down, her shoulders start to shake and she begins to cry. The minutes slide by as she sobs, and it’s as if the tears of a thousand abuses are released at once. The sobs gradually lessen; she catches her breath, brushes the hair off her damp face, looks up into my eyes and utters the line that changed my life: ‘You can call me Emma . . . No-one has called me Emma since this all began.’