By Kelly Schut | Director Free a Girl The Netherlands
Thank you!
We would like to thank all people making donations via GlobalGiving to Free a Girl! It makes a big difference to the lives of children worldwide at risk for sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Thank you, Thank you!
In Thailand, in the last 9 months, we have rescued 17 victims of sexual exploitation through online investigation! Given the high levels of impunity and lack of access to justice, we are also happy to report that 5 perpetrators were arrested for this horrible crime.
Case story: Online investigation leads to a Karaokebar
In a province in Thailand, Free a Girl's partner responded to a tip about underage sexual exploitation in a karaoke bar. The bar's Facebook page actively promoted young girls, which led to further online investigation. Teaming up with the Internet Crimes Against Children Police Unit, Free a Girl’s partner conducted a successful rescue operation, rescuing six girls from the exploitative environment.
The rescued girls faced distinct challenges: Naiyana was sexually exploited for a month, receiving only half her earnings; Malee aimed to fund her non-formal education through karaoke work, but ended up being forced to have sex with customers. Malee, who had run away from home, sought employment after responding to a Facebook job announcement not knowing of the terrible situation that she would soon find herself in; Sumalee left school due to financial constraints of her family and worked in rice farming to support her family. Not knowing how to get more money, she traveled to the city and ended up in the karaoke bar. There, she was sexually exploited. Malai, living with her grandmother, became a server in the karaoke bar through a Facebook acquaintance and Sirikit, her friend, joined on the same day and experienced sexual violence. All customers could “buy services” by the hour and were free to sexually harass the girls or take them to a hotel.
The operation of our partner led to the arrest of the perpetrator, marking a significant victory against human trafficking. The rescued girls are currently in the care in an aftercare facility for children, receiving medical and psychosocial services. We are very proud of them.
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