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Hidden Forms of Human Trafficking | Mahi Ramakrishnan | TEDxMonashUniversityMalaysia


I’m here today to talk to you about

I’m here today to talk to you about trafficking or rather the hidden hands

trafficking or rather the hidden hands

trafficking or rather the hidden hands of trafficking the consequences of

of trafficking the consequences of

of trafficking the consequences of trafficking and the lives that it

trafficking and the lives that it

trafficking and the lives that it continues to destroy in 2001 while I was

continues to destroy in 2001 while I was

continues to destroy in 2001 while I was working for Time magazine I was asked by

working for Time magazine I was asked by

working for Time magazine I was asked by my bosses to do an investigative piece

my bosses to do an investigative piece

my bosses to do an investigative piece on the unsmiling route in Southeast Asia

on the unsmiling route in Southeast Asia

on the unsmiling route in Southeast Asia they wanted me to look at the main

they wanted me to look at the main

they wanted me to look at the main supplier or suppliers the buyers the

supplier or suppliers the buyers the

supplier or suppliers the buyers the sellers and also to investigate if the

sellers and also to investigate if the

sellers and also to investigate if the different militant groups in Southeast

different militant groups in Southeast

different militant groups in Southeast Asia was also buying weapons from the

Asia was also buying weapons from the

Asia was also buying weapons from the same supplier it took me a few months of

same supplier it took me a few months of

same supplier it took me a few months of research as well as investigation to

research as well as investigation to

research as well as investigation to find out that the biggest supplier of

find out that the biggest supplier of

find out that the biggest supplier of weapons at that time in 2001 was the

weapons at that time in 2001 was the

weapons at that time in 2001 was the Royal Thai Army and I had to work with a

Royal Thai Army and I had to work with a

Royal Thai Army and I had to work with a Malaysian arms smuggler called in in

Malaysian arms smuggler called in in

Malaysian arms smuggler called in in order to be able to see an arms

order to be able to see an arms

order to be able to see an arms transaction so that I can write a first

transaction so that I can write a first

transaction so that I can write a first person’s account for Time magazine as

person’s account for Time magazine as

person’s account for Time magazine as opposed to of course they finding the

opposed to of course they finding the

opposed to of course they finding the easier way which is to interview them

easier way which is to interview them

easier way which is to interview them and then to write the article

and then to write the article

and then to write the article now Dean and I had to come up with a

now Dean and I had to come up with a

now Dean and I had to come up with a story as to why I was following him into

story as to why I was following him into

story as to why I was following him into the llaman army camp to buy a weapon so

the llaman army camp to buy a weapon so

the llaman army camp to buy a weapon so this is the story we came out with we

this is the story we came out with we

this is the story we came out with we were supposed to tell that my husband

were supposed to tell that my husband

were supposed to tell that my husband was having an affair and I was going to

was having an affair and I was going to

was having an affair and I was going to buy a gun to shoot the girlfriend dead

buy a gun to shoot the girlfriend dead

buy a gun to shoot the girlfriend dead or maybe to shoot the husband there I

or maybe to shoot the husband there I

or maybe to shoot the husband there I can’t really remember but we strategized

can’t really remember but we strategized

can’t really remember but we strategized we fixed the date and I flew in to Kota

we fixed the date and I flew in to Kota

we fixed the date and I flew in to Kota Bharu Kuantan and took a taxi in to

Bharu Kuantan and took a taxi in to

Bharu Kuantan and took a taxi in to serve I go look we waited for 48 hours

serve I go look we waited for 48 hours

serve I go look we waited for 48 hours before a military representative came to

before a military representative came to

before a military representative came to fetch both Din and myself to the Yama

fetch both Din and myself to the Yama

fetch both Din and myself to the Yama army camp where he was where he has been

army camp where he was where he has been

army camp where he was where he has been dealing for more than 10 years when we

dealing for more than 10 years when we

dealing for more than 10 years when we got there the colonel who saw me was

got there the colonel who saw me was

got there the colonel who saw me was totally upset he started screaming

totally upset he started screaming

totally upset he started screaming anybody so angry with did but then

anybody so angry with did but then

anybody so angry with did but then started waving around cash greenbacks

started waving around cash greenbacks

started waving around cash greenbacks year’s dollars and he started buying

year’s dollars and he started buying

year’s dollars and he started buying more weapons and

more weapons and

more weapons and also placed orders for ammunitions

also placed orders for ammunitions

also placed orders for ammunitions grenades Smith & Wesson’s and Browning’s

grenades Smith & Wesson’s and Browning’s

grenades Smith & Wesson’s and Browning’s and that kind of pacified the colonel

and that kind of pacified the colonel

and that kind of pacified the colonel so once the transaction was done we left

so once the transaction was done we left

so once the transaction was done we left on the way back to Senegal Oh didn’t got

on the way back to Senegal Oh didn’t got

on the way back to Senegal Oh didn’t got a phone call and then he told me that he

a phone call and then he told me that he

a phone call and then he told me that he needed to leave earlier than expected

needed to leave earlier than expected

needed to leave earlier than expected because he had to get back to Chiang Mai

because he had to get back to Chiang Mai

because he had to get back to Chiang Mai the very next day to bring a group of

the very next day to bring a group of

the very next day to bring a group of young girls to cater to the needs of

young girls to cater to the needs of

young girls to cater to the needs of Malaysian men very old Malaysian men who

Malaysian men very old Malaysian men who

Malaysian men very old Malaysian men who believed that having sex with young

believed that having sex with young

believed that having sex with young girls will make sure that they lived

girls will make sure that they lived

girls will make sure that they lived longer and that they will not get HIV or

longer and that they will not get HIV or

longer and that they will not get HIV or AIDS now at that time in 2001 the word

AIDS now at that time in 2001 the word

AIDS now at that time in 2001 the word trafficking was so rare it was not

trafficking was so rare it was not

trafficking was so rare it was not common at all so I looked at Dinh as an

common at all so I looked at Dinh as an

common at all so I looked at Dinh as an armed smuggler and not a trafficker

armed smuggler and not a trafficker

armed smuggler and not a trafficker fast forward to six years I was asked by

fast forward to six years I was asked by

fast forward to six years I was asked by dr. hartney Zinedine the very famous

dr. hartney Zinedine the very famous

dr. hartney Zinedine the very famous child rights advocate based in Kuala

child rights advocate based in Kuala

child rights advocate based in Kuala Lumpur to do a story on baby trafficking

Lumpur to do a story on baby trafficking

Lumpur to do a story on baby trafficking she told me specifically that I needed

she told me specifically that I needed

she told me specifically that I needed to get footage of the sales happening so

to get footage of the sales happening so

to get footage of the sales happening so that she can use that to lobby for

that she can use that to lobby for

that she can use that to lobby for better enforcement with the police I

better enforcement with the police I

better enforcement with the police I agree it was a nightmare it took me more

agree it was a nightmare it took me more

agree it was a nightmare it took me more than one and a half years to finish the

than one and a half years to finish the

than one and a half years to finish the film because it took me more than a year

film because it took me more than a year

film because it took me more than a year to finally get hold of a baby trafficker

to finally get hold of a baby trafficker

to finally get hold of a baby trafficker who agreed to speak to me he told me

who agreed to speak to me he told me

who agreed to speak to me he told me that the traffic is operated a certain

that the traffic is operated a certain

that the traffic is operated a certain way and that is to go looking for

way and that is to go looking for

way and that is to go looking for absolutely poor vulnerable people whom

absolutely poor vulnerable people whom

absolutely poor vulnerable people whom they can then exploit and it will be

they can then exploit and it will be

they can then exploit and it will be easier if the couple already have two or

easier if the couple already have two or

easier if the couple already have two or three children because then it’s easier

three children because then it’s easier

three children because then it’s easier to persuade them to let go of their

to persuade them to let go of their

to persuade them to let go of their babies so this is the strategy and the

babies so this is the strategy and the

babies so this is the strategy and the minute I identify them and the minute

minute I identify them and the minute

minute I identify them and the minute the woman agrees to sell the baby they

the woman agrees to sell the baby they

the woman agrees to sell the baby they take the baby away and the money is

take the baby away and the money is

take the baby away and the money is delivered on the spot now they also told

delivered on the spot now they also told

delivered on the spot now they also told me that they had to cater for increasing

me that they had to cater for increasing

me that they had to cater for increasing demand and so they came up with baby

demand and so they came up with baby

demand and so they came up with baby farms baby farms are worked solely by

farms baby farms are worked solely by

farms baby farms are worked solely by modern workers it could be any migrant

modern workers it could be any migrant

modern workers it could be any migrant worker that you know from your

worker that you know from your

worker that you know from your stick help to anyone a woman who agrees

stick help to anyone a woman who agrees

stick help to anyone a woman who agrees to become a surrogate mother and the

to become a surrogate mother and the

to become a surrogate mother and the minute she agrees the traffickers will

minute she agrees the traffickers will

minute she agrees the traffickers will go around looking for good-looking men

go around looking for good-looking men

go around looking for good-looking men because good-looking men equals

because good-looking men equals

because good-looking men equals good-looking babies and babies

good-looking babies and babies

good-looking babies and babies particularly baby boys who are fair

particularly baby boys who are fair

particularly baby boys who are fair skinned with almond shaped eyes will

skinned with almond shaped eyes will

skinned with almond shaped eyes will fetch a way higher price than a tan

fetch a way higher price than a tan

fetch a way higher price than a tan complexioned baby now it’s not true to

complexioned baby now it’s not true to

complexioned baby now it’s not true to say that all of these babies who are

say that all of these babies who are

say that all of these babies who are sold who are trafficked and sold to

sold who are trafficked and sold to

sold who are trafficked and sold to adoptive parents will end up in a bad

adoptive parents will end up in a bad

adoptive parents will end up in a bad way that’s not true at all because yes

way that’s not true at all because yes

way that’s not true at all because yes we do know of many cases where they have

we do know of many cases where they have

we do know of many cases where they have good access to education and a better

good access to education and a better

good access to education and a better life but there are also many more who

life but there are also many more who

life but there are also many more who end up being dumped back into the

end up being dumped back into the

end up being dumped back into the adoption ring into the adoption process

adoption ring into the adoption process

adoption ring into the adoption process now how does this happen when the child

now how does this happen when the child

now how does this happen when the child is about 4 or 5 years old the parents

is about 4 or 5 years old the parents

is about 4 or 5 years old the parents the adoptive parents will pick out the

the adoptive parents will pick out the

the adoptive parents will pick out the fact that they may have mental emotional

fact that they may have mental emotional

fact that they may have mental emotional or even physical challenges and any form

or even physical challenges and any form

or even physical challenges and any form of chronic illness when they find that

of chronic illness when they find that

of chronic illness when they find that out the first thing they do is to take

out the first thing they do is to take

out the first thing they do is to take the baby to take the four-year-old child

the baby to take the four-year-old child

the baby to take the four-year-old child and to dump the child back into the

and to dump the child back into the

and to dump the child back into the adoption process now according to the

adoption process now according to the

adoption process now according to the trafficker

trafficker

trafficker it’s impossible to resell a 4 or a 5

it’s impossible to resell a 4 or a 5

it’s impossible to resell a 4 or a 5 year old child because it’s so much more

year old child because it’s so much more

year old child because it’s so much more easier to sell a baby so what do you

easier to sell a baby so what do you

easier to sell a baby so what do you think happens to these children who are

think happens to these children who are

think happens to these children who are dumped back anyone has an idea

exactly the children are then sold into

exactly the children are then sold into the child sex trade or they are absorbed

the child sex trade or they are absorbed

the child sex trade or they are absorbed by the begging syndicates both in

by the begging syndicates both in

by the begging syndicates both in Malaysia and in Thailand in Thailand

Malaysia and in Thailand in Thailand

Malaysia and in Thailand in Thailand it’s absolutely horrific because they

it’s absolutely horrific because they

it’s absolutely horrific because they maim the children the limbs are broken

maim the children the limbs are broken

maim the children the limbs are broken either the legs or the hands are broken

either the legs or the hands are broken

either the legs or the hands are broken so that they elicit more sympathy as

so that they elicit more sympathy as

so that they elicit more sympathy as they go out begging on the streets now

they go out begging on the streets now

they go out begging on the streets now when we talk about the child sex

when we talk about the child sex

when we talk about the child sex industry I’m not just talking about the

industry I’m not just talking about the

industry I’m not just talking about the child sex industry in Thailand or

child sex industry in Thailand or

child sex industry in Thailand or Cambodia

Cambodia

Cambodia I’m also talking about the child sex

I’m also talking about the child sex

I’m also talking about the child sex industry in Malaysia now how many of you

industry in Malaysia now how many of you

industry in Malaysia now how many of you know that there is a child sex industry

know that there is a child sex industry

know that there is a child sex industry in Malaysia please put up your hands

in Malaysia please put up your hands

in Malaysia please put up your hands nice I’m so glad that I can see a few

nice I’m so glad that I can see a few

nice I’m so glad that I can see a few hands seven years ago I did an

hands seven years ago I did an

hands seven years ago I did an investigative film to expose the child

investigative film to expose the child

investigative film to expose the child sex industry in Malaysia again for dr.

sex industry in Malaysia again for dr.

sex industry in Malaysia again for dr. hearty needs I didn’t who said that it

hearty needs I didn’t who said that it

hearty needs I didn’t who said that it was literally impossible to convince

was literally impossible to convince

was literally impossible to convince anyone that there is a child sex

anyone that there is a child sex

anyone that there is a child sex industry so we needed evidence we needed

industry so we needed evidence we needed

industry so we needed evidence we needed proof it took me two and a half years to

proof it took me two and a half years to

proof it took me two and a half years to complete the film because it took me two

complete the film because it took me two

complete the film because it took me two years to find the children I eventually

years to find the children I eventually

years to find the children I eventually found three one was from Indonesia the

found three one was from Indonesia the

found three one was from Indonesia the other one was from Thailand and the

other one was from Thailand and the

other one was from Thailand and the third girl was from India now for the

third girl was from India now for the

third girl was from India now for the purpose of this talk I’m going to call

purpose of this talk I’m going to call

purpose of this talk I’m going to call her Maya Maya was 13 years old when she

her Maya Maya was 13 years old when she

her Maya Maya was 13 years old when she was brought in to Malaysia she told me

was brought in to Malaysia she told me

was brought in to Malaysia she told me that life was relatively good for her in

that life was relatively good for her in

that life was relatively good for her in India because her father was working so

India because her father was working so

India because her father was working so there was money for food there was money

there was money for food there was money

there was money for food there was money for rental and she and both the siblings

for rental and she and both the siblings

for rental and she and both the siblings were able to go to school but all that

were able to go to school but all that

were able to go to school but all that came to an abrupt halt when the father

came to an abrupt halt when the father

came to an abrupt halt when the father had a heart attack and died leaving the

had a heart attack and died leaving the

had a heart attack and died leaving the mother completely stranded

mother completely stranded

mother completely stranded she had no education and no skills she

she had no education and no skills she

she had no education and no skills she had never worked before

had never worked before

had never worked before so after a few months the family had no

so after a few months the family had no

so after a few months the family had no money for food rental and all the

money for food rental and all the

money for food rental and all the children had to stop schooling now it

children had to stop schooling now it

children had to stop schooling now it was at this time that the trafficker

was at this time that the trafficker

was at this time that the trafficker approached them and told the mother that

approached them and told the mother that

approached them and told the mother that Maya had a way better life in Malaysia

Maya had a way better life in Malaysia

Maya had a way better life in Malaysia working as a domestic health and earning

working as a domestic health and earning

working as a domestic health and earning 1000

1000

1000 500 ringgit a month and 1500 ringgit

500 ringgit a month and 1500 ringgit

500 ringgit a month and 1500 ringgit translate into 20,000 rupees in India

translate into 20,000 rupees in India

translate into 20,000 rupees in India and that’s a lot of money for Maya’s

and that’s a lot of money for Maya’s

and that’s a lot of money for Maya’s family so Maya’s mother reluctantly sent

family so Maya’s mother reluctantly sent

family so Maya’s mother reluctantly sent her to Malaysia when she got here she

her to Malaysia when she got here she

her to Malaysia when she got here she was locked up in a room for 4 days

was locked up in a room for 4 days

was locked up in a room for 4 days straight and after the fourth day the

straight and after the fourth day the

straight and after the fourth day the guy took her out for lunch in brick

guy took her out for lunch in brick

guy took her out for lunch in brick fields and Maya told me that a few

fields and Maya told me that a few

fields and Maya told me that a few minutes into eating she felt very dizzy

minutes into eating she felt very dizzy

minutes into eating she felt very dizzy and absolutely weak in the body

and absolutely weak in the body

and absolutely weak in the body she was taken back to her room and she

she was taken back to her room and she

she was taken back to her room and she told me that even though she was in a

told me that even though she was in a

told me that even though she was in a daze a few men raped her that day after

daze a few men raped her that day after

daze a few men raped her that day after which she was sold into the child sex

which she was sold into the child sex

which she was sold into the child sex trade in August this year I premiered a

trade in August this year I premiered a

trade in August this year I premiered a film on Rohingya child brides Rahim Yar

film on Rohingya child brides Rahim Yar

film on Rohingya child brides Rahim Yar girls who are as young as 11 to 15 years

girls who are as young as 11 to 15 years

girls who are as young as 11 to 15 years old who are trafficked and sold to

old who are trafficked and sold to

old who are trafficked and sold to Rohini Amman in Malaysia who buy them

Rohini Amman in Malaysia who buy them

Rohini Amman in Malaysia who buy them for 7,000 to 8,500 we get anywhere in

for 7,000 to 8,500 we get anywhere in

for 7,000 to 8,500 we get anywhere in between that is already a lot of money

between that is already a lot of money

between that is already a lot of money for them but they rather the other they

for them but they rather the other they

for them but they rather the other they either make a deal with the trafficker

either make a deal with the trafficker

either make a deal with the trafficker or get money which they borrow from

or get money which they borrow from

or get money which they borrow from their family and friends in order to pay

their family and friends in order to pay

their family and friends in order to pay and buy a child rights now I’m sure many

and buy a child rights now I’m sure many

and buy a child rights now I’m sure many of you know what is happening in Burma

of you know what is happening in Burma

of you know what is happening in Burma the targeted persecution against the

the targeted persecution against the

the targeted persecution against the Rohingya has led to the eggs orders of

Rohingya has led to the eggs orders of

Rohingya has led to the eggs orders of more than half a million Rohingya from

more than half a million Rohingya from

more than half a million Rohingya from Burma to Bangladesh

Burma to Bangladesh

Burma to Bangladesh now Bangladesh is especially Cox’s Bazar

now Bangladesh is especially Cox’s Bazar

now Bangladesh is especially Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh is the place that the

in Bangladesh is the place that the

in Bangladesh is the place that the traffic is are zooming in on now an

traffic is are zooming in on now an

traffic is are zooming in on now an interview with the trafficker early this

interview with the trafficker early this

interview with the trafficker early this year revealed that there is a new

year revealed that there is a new

year revealed that there is a new trafficking route from Malaysia to

trafficking route from Malaysia to

trafficking route from Malaysia to Bangladesh where these children are

Bangladesh where these children are

Bangladesh where these children are brought in and this is how it works the

brought in and this is how it works the

brought in and this is how it works the Bangladeshi traffic is in Bangladesh

Bangladeshi traffic is in Bangladesh

Bangladeshi traffic is in Bangladesh will forge the passports of these young

will forge the passports of these young

will forge the passports of these young girls wait until they get about eight to

girls wait until they get about eight to

girls wait until they get about eight to ten goals together fly with them into a

ten goals together fly with them into a

ten goals together fly with them into a polygon for International Airport bright

polygon for International Airport bright

polygon for International Airport bright the Malaysian immigration officer

the Malaysian immigration officer

the Malaysian immigration officer and bring the children into the country

and bring the children into the country

and bring the children into the country now these children are sold not for

now these children are sold not for

now these children are sold not for seven or eight thousand five hundred

seven or eight thousand five hundred

seven or eight thousand five hundred ringgit these children are sold for

ringgit these children are sold for

ringgit these children are sold for sixteen thousand bring it as some way

sixteen thousand bring it as some way

sixteen thousand bring it as some way beyond the means of the Rohingya now

beyond the means of the Rohingya now

beyond the means of the Rohingya now this raises the question as to who the

this raises the question as to who the

this raises the question as to who the buyers are and where these children are

buyers are and where these children are

buyers are and where these children are going chances are they are being sold

going chances are they are being sold

going chances are they are being sold into the Malaysian child sex industry as

into the Malaysian child sex industry as

into the Malaysian child sex industry as well as into tie line as well so if we

well as into tie line as well so if we

well as into tie line as well so if we take a step back and look at all these

take a step back and look at all these

take a step back and look at all these stories we will understand the

stories we will understand the

stories we will understand the trafficking is absolutely lucrative it

trafficking is absolutely lucrative it

trafficking is absolutely lucrative it runs into billions and billions of

runs into billions and billions of

runs into billions and billions of dollars and that it’s so interlinked

dollars and that it’s so interlinked

dollars and that it’s so interlinked that there is a dizzyingly complex chain

that there is a dizzyingly complex chain

that there is a dizzyingly complex chain of people who move in and out of

of people who move in and out of

of people who move in and out of trafficking rings and in a way they are

trafficking rings and in a way they are

trafficking rings and in a way they are all connected people not just me but any

all connected people not just me but any

all connected people not just me but any other journalist or filmmaker who works

other journalist or filmmaker who works

other journalist or filmmaker who works on challenging issues such as

on challenging issues such as

on challenging issues such as trafficking will have to face the

trafficking will have to face the

trafficking will have to face the consequences there’s no running away

consequences there’s no running away

consequences there’s no running away from it when then and I worked together

from it when then and I worked together

from it when then and I worked together I made it very clear to date that I was

I made it very clear to date that I was

I made it very clear to date that I was a journalist working for Time magazine

a journalist working for Time magazine

a journalist working for Time magazine and that the story will be carried in

and that the story will be carried in

and that the story will be carried in the Time magazine publication I told him

the Time magazine publication I told him

the Time magazine publication I told him to promise me that he will never ever go

to promise me that he will never ever go

to promise me that he will never ever go back to the Yala army camp ever again

back to the Yala army camp ever again

back to the Yala army camp ever again but that that was the end of it

but that that was the end of it

but that that was the end of it he promised me unfortunately two weeks

he promised me unfortunately two weeks

he promised me unfortunately two weeks after the story was published he went

after the story was published he went

after the story was published he went back to Thailand he was killed then the

back to Thailand he was killed then the

back to Thailand he was killed then the Interpol called my boss and said that I

Interpol called my boss and said that I

Interpol called my boss and said that I had to leave the country because it

had to leave the country because it

had to leave the country because it wasn’t safe for me anymore I was torn

wasn’t safe for me anymore I was torn

wasn’t safe for me anymore I was torn because I couldn’t shake the feeling

because I couldn’t shake the feeling

because I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was responsible for Dale’s death

that I was responsible for Dale’s death

that I was responsible for Dale’s death even though he knew what he was getting

even though he knew what he was getting

even though he knew what he was getting into and also I had to leave my children

into and also I had to leave my children

into and also I had to leave my children in Malaysia and go back home to India

in Malaysia and go back home to India

in Malaysia and go back home to India where my dad comes from my son was 12 at

where my dad comes from my son was 12 at

where my dad comes from my son was 12 at that time and my daughter was five I had

that time and my daughter was five I had

that time and my daughter was five I had to leave both of them and I had panic

to leave both of them and I had panic

to leave both of them and I had panic and anxiety because I was really afraid

and anxiety because I was really afraid

and anxiety because I was really afraid for their safety when I was doing the

for their safety when I was doing the

for their safety when I was doing the baby

baby

baby trafficking story we did the interview

trafficking story we did the interview

trafficking story we did the interview with the trafficker anonymously I shot

with the trafficker anonymously I shot

with the trafficker anonymously I shot him in silhouette which means you will

him in silhouette which means you will

him in silhouette which means you will never be able to see his face and also

never be able to see his face and also

never be able to see his face and also because sometimes the police or their

because sometimes the police or their

because sometimes the police or their you know other enforcement they will

you know other enforcement they will

you know other enforcement they will come and ask us to give them the tapes

come and ask us to give them the tapes

come and ask us to give them the tapes so what I did was I made sure that

so what I did was I made sure that

so what I did was I made sure that throughout the entire duration of

throughout the entire duration of

throughout the entire duration of filming it

filming it

filming it we never filmed his face so that we can

we never filmed his face so that we can

we never filmed his face so that we can give them anything that they asked for

give them anything that they asked for

give them anything that they asked for and they will never be able to see the

and they will never be able to see the

and they will never be able to see the face of the trafficker despite that at

face of the trafficker despite that at

face of the trafficker despite that at the end of the interview the trafficker

the end of the interview the trafficker

the end of the interview the trafficker told me that if anyone found out his

told me that if anyone found out his

told me that if anyone found out his identity he will traffic my daughter

identity he will traffic my daughter

identity he will traffic my daughter across the border and sell her into the

across the border and sell her into the

across the border and sell her into the sex trade I was terrified because I

sex trade I was terrified because I

sex trade I was terrified because I didn’t tell him anything about myself so

didn’t tell him anything about myself so

didn’t tell him anything about myself so obviously he had done his homework and

obviously he had done his homework and

obviously he had done his homework and he knew I had a daughter I was worried

he knew I had a daughter I was worried

he knew I had a daughter I was worried that he may know where we lived I was

that he may know where we lived I was

that he may know where we lived I was worried that he may even know my

worried that he may even know my

worried that he may even know my daughter’s movements I also did a story

daughter’s movements I also did a story

daughter’s movements I also did a story on migrant trafficking 4yb Charles

on migrant trafficking 4yb Charles

on migrant trafficking 4yb Charles Santiago who is the opposition member of

Santiago who is the opposition member of

Santiago who is the opposition member of parliament for clanked that evening I

parliament for clanked that evening I

parliament for clanked that evening I had scheduled and impendent

had scheduled and impendent

had scheduled and impendent and then bought an interview with the

and then bought an interview with the

and then bought an interview with the trafficker but in the morning I had to

trafficker but in the morning I had to

trafficker but in the morning I had to rush out because I had a corporate video

rush out because I had a corporate video

rush out because I had a corporate video to film I left the house ten minutes

to film I left the house ten minutes

to film I left the house ten minutes later I told myself oh my god I’ve

later I told myself oh my god I’ve

later I told myself oh my god I’ve forgotten something really important so

forgotten something really important so

forgotten something really important so I went back home it took an entire 20

I went back home it took an entire 20

I went back home it took an entire 20 minutes and I went home open the door

minutes and I went home open the door

minutes and I went home open the door and saw the house completely ransacked

and saw the house completely ransacked

and saw the house completely ransacked every drawer was open all my clothes

every drawer was open all my clothes

every drawer was open all my clothes were on the floor but nothing valuable

were on the floor but nothing valuable

were on the floor but nothing valuable was taken except for my laptop my laptop

was taken except for my laptop my laptop

was taken except for my laptop my laptop back and my laptop charger now people

back and my laptop charger now people

back and my laptop charger now people always ask me if I get scared and the

always ask me if I get scared and the

always ask me if I get scared and the owners answer is I get terrified really

owners answer is I get terrified really

owners answer is I get terrified really terrified and I have to until today live

terrified and I have to until today live

terrified and I have to until today live with the consequences of having made

with the consequences of having made

with the consequences of having made decisions to work on extremely

decisions to work on extremely

decisions to work on extremely challenging stories such as trafficking

challenging stories such as trafficking

challenging stories such as trafficking but I do that because of one thing I

but I do that because of one thing I

but I do that because of one thing I hold on to the absolute

hold on to the absolute

hold on to the absolute unshakeable belief that these stories

unshakeable belief that these stories

unshakeable belief that these stories need to be told that these stories need

need to be told that these stories need

need to be told that these stories need to be put out there there all of you

to be put out there there all of you

to be put out there there all of you should have access to what’s actually

should have access to what’s actually

should have access to what’s actually happening in the world of trafficking

happening in the world of trafficking

happening in the world of trafficking the devastation that it causes in

the devastation that it causes in

the devastation that it causes in people’s lives this is crucial to me and

people’s lives this is crucial to me and

people’s lives this is crucial to me and it’s also important because it allows

it’s also important because it allows

it’s also important because it allows for stakeholders such as NGOs civil

for stakeholders such as NGOs civil

for stakeholders such as NGOs civil society organizations parliamentarians

society organizations parliamentarians

society organizations parliamentarians enforcement officers to either look at

enforcement officers to either look at

enforcement officers to either look at existing anti-trafficking law or to do

existing anti-trafficking law or to do

existing anti-trafficking law or to do better networking in terms of the region

better networking in terms of the region

better networking in terms of the region in order to try and nip trafficking

in order to try and nip trafficking

in order to try and nip trafficking activities now I’m sure that all of you

activities now I’m sure that all of you

activities now I’m sure that all of you at some point in your life will face

at some point in your life will face

at some point in your life will face crippling fear and just like me I hope

crippling fear and just like me I hope

crippling fear and just like me I hope that every one of you here will be able

that every one of you here will be able

that every one of you here will be able to find and hold on to that one thing

to find and hold on to that one thing

to find and hold on to that one thing which will allow you to move on which

which will allow you to move on which

which will allow you to move on which will allow you to follow your heart and

will allow you to follow your heart and

will allow you to follow your heart and your passion

your passion

your passion [Applause]

”

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