Human Trafficking

So where exactly is Cambodia?

I got asked that several times before I left. No, it’s not in Africa, South America, or an island. It’s actually in Southeast Asia, tucked in right beside Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.

WHY are you going there?

That was the question that immediately followed. It’s not really a popular tourist destination, unless you’re Angelina Jolie. And it’s not at the top of any lists for relief work. So why Cambodia?

For me, it was the cause that first drew me in. I had heard of “human trafficking” and couldn’t believe it was happening in our world! When I did a little research, I found out that trafficking in persons, or human trafficking, is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. Across the world, traffickers supply millions of human beings for use in forced labor activities such as domestic service, or work in rice fields, sweatshops, cocoa plantations, or mines. Some are trafficked into the commercial sex industry. Trafficking touches every single nation – America, Europe, Africa, Asia & more. There are an estimated 27 million people enslaved in our world right now. And human trafficking is the third most profitable illegal activity, right under arms dealing and drug trade.

Needless to say, my world was shaken. I couldn’t stand that people were being victimized like this! I couldn’t just sit idly by in my comfortable home in suburban America while women and children were being raped for profit and using products made by slave labor. I had do to something.

It’s not an easy cause to immerse yourself in, so I began just reading and researching and educating myself on the topic. I found through my research that Southeast Asia was a hotspot for not only human trafficking, but commercial sexual exploitation and sex tourism. I discovered that Cambodia is a sending, receiving and transit country for trafficking. Cambodians are most commonly enslaved for the purpose of commercial sex, begging, domestic work, fishing, construction and adoption. Victims often believe they are being recruited for purposes such as domestic work, or work in a restaurant. Most victims are deceived or, in a smaller number of cases, kidnapped, and forced into sexual slavery. Commercial sexual exploitation is the engaging or being forced to engage in sexual activity in exchange for immediate payment in money or other valuables. It is sometimes referred to as prostitution or “sex work”. One study estimates that the lowest statistics for the number of prostituted persons in Cambodia is between 40,000 and 50,000, and the highest is 100,000. Sex tourism is travel for the purpose of having or purchasing sex. It is estimated that US-based websites advertising worldwide sex tourism bring in over $150 million each per year. Cambodia, along with Southeast Asia, is a destination for this activity as well.
I desperately wanted to not only do something to prevent this crime from happening this war-torn and impoverished country, but more importantly help rescue and restore the victims that this injustice left in its wake. I found an organization that ran a home in Siem Reap, Cambodia, that helped girls leave the life of prostitution by providing a safe place that they could and earn money. I was so moved by their work, I began to make plans to visit. In August of 2009 I traveled solo across oceans and continents to this tiny home in this tiny city and immediately felt at home. I was greeted by open arms of girls and women who had experienced more pain than I could fathom. It was humbling and encouraging. I knew that my two weeks there was only the beginning of a lifelong journey working towards ending modern-day slavery in my world.

No one person can bring can end this injustice. But working together, we can bring it down. The first steps including awareness and changing public perception. Educate yourself on the topic and educate others. Learn to recognize the signs and signals of trafficking activity in your own backyard. Get involved with a local organization and join them in their efforts. Be a voice for the voiceless and speak up for the victims who cannot speak for themselves. Together, we can make slavery history.