Stop online sexual exploitation and trafficking

Stop Online sexual exploitation and trafficking!

Perpetrators are increasingly using the internet to groom children for sexual exploitation. In Thailand, Free a Girl online rescue teams work tirelessly to adapt to the new methods and technologies used by exploiters. These efforts have let to the rescue of 12 girls in Thailand. Below are the stories of Nancy and Son to highlight this important work.

The story of Nancy and SonHow Free a Girl’s online investigation let to dismantling a network of sexual exploitation of numerous children

Nancy grew up in a broken home and dropped out of school at a young age. She made friends that were older than her. One of these friends tried to persuade Nancy to take up sex work. Nancy’s family did not car for her and she did not know how to get any money. She was unable to escape the continuous sexual exploitation that followed.

In a different town, 15-year old Son (pseudonym) faced a similar experience. She was not able to stay with her parents and lived with her grandmother. She attended high school, but when her grandmother died, she had to drop out. Son lived with her father for a while, but was left to her own devices most of the time. A man living in the same apartment building told Son to move in with him and groomed her into a situation of sexual exploitation. He contacted clients online and told Son to have sex with them and give the money to him.

Both girls – Nancy and Son – were rescued by the Free a Girl rescue teams in August through online investigate work. Son’s successful rescue was due to research into numerous twitter accounts that advertised young girls. The online investigation into Nancy’s case even let to dismantling a trafficking network where numerous children were being sexually exploited. After the investigation by our rescue team, 1 trafficker was arrested as well as 11 of his clients. We are very proud of the successful collaboration with  the Anti Trafficking Division and Thai Royal Police.

After the rescue operations, both girls were supported with after care. They also received training on human trafficking, sexual exploitation, self-defense and empowerment. In November 2022, Nancy and Son both approached our online teams and offered support in the tracking and catching of more traffickers. They wanted to take action and support their friends and others in similar situations. Determined, both girls want to prevent anyone from facing the same horrific experience they went through.

They are taking up their studies again and are being to look forward to the future.