Hey FAM!
In case you were wondering my whereabouts, I’ve finally landed in Asia! I spent the first 3 months in South America and I’ve entered into the 4th month of the World Race.
Now, even before coming on the race, an issue I’ve always been passionate about is Human Trafficking. Throughout college, I researched and wrote multiple papers on trafficking. So you can imagine I was beyond thrilled to come on the race and have the chance to work with this vulnerable population. Also, this has been the first month that I’ve finally had the opportunity to be exposed to this specific issue.
My team is located in Siem Reap, Cambodia and we’re staying at the Overflow Guesthouse, that’s run by Adventures in Missions. I love it here. There’s a specific team that is dedicated to the Human Trafficking Sector and I’ve already learned so much more about this issue than I ever have before.
I want to share with you all what I’ve learned and how we can be more aware of this issue on a deeper level.
First things first, these women may be seen as prostitutes, but we must STOP identifying them as that. We should instead say these women ARE being prostituted. Never say they are a prostitute, even if they’ve chosen it.
Now, there is huge capital in sexuality in all of Southeast Asia. The underlying problem is poverty. Furthermore, the sex trade started in Vietnam and spread to Cambodia shortly after The Cambodian Genocide that took place in the 1970s. The Cambodian genocide was carried out by the Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot between 1975 and 1979 in which an estimated 1.5 to 3 million Cambodians died or were killed by the regime. 85% of the women trafficked are Kami and the other 15% are Vietnamese who are trafficked within Cambodia. Another underlying reason for the Sex Trade in Cambodia is a distorted system within the government. Furthermore, human trafficking continues because the enforcement efforts don’t seem to be effected and the traffickers continue to get away with their business. The society here is also very show-face and a lot of people know its going on, but chose to remain quiet.
Where exactly is trafficking occurring?
The sex trade begins with girls who are between the ages of 8-12 years old. Children are taken from the villages, and are either kidnapped or sold by foreigners. This is the prime age for traffickers. Once, they turn 18 they are seen as worthless and are sold to a KTV (karaoke bar) because they are forced into it, usually by debt. At this point, this lifestyle is all they know, so they continue to participate in it. There are also places here in Siem Reap called Beer Gardens. It looks almost like a restaurant and the woman are also being trafficked in these places as well.
What’s interesting about the sex trade in Cambodia is that it’s not always seen as shameful. Some people respect it because it helps the woman pay for her family.
What is being done to prevent the sex trade from continuing to thrive?
I firmly believe if poverty didn’t exist, neither would the sex trade. Debt is the biggest reason they don’t have a voice. What we can do to prevent Trafficking is Community Development. If we can make them value themselves and their family at a community level, we can then break the cycle of human trafficking. If they know their worth, they will not put themselves in the trade. Furthermore, we have to realize that we can’t be the savior, only He can save them.
Adventures in Missions are currently working on intercession here in the City. They plan on expanding and growing their vision but they believe intercession is necessary and powerful. They are going and praying over the bars and asking the Lord to intercede. I believe this to be powerful and at first I was hesitant if this actually works, because I was always taught we must take action. The staff is taking action, but they are confident in God and His timing. I will be getting the opportunity to intercede in these bars and I’ve already been exposed to sex trade here.
Please join me in prayer for the city of Cambodia and the Sex Trade. There is darkness here amidst all of the hurt and pain that’s happened over the last 30 years, but I’ve seen the light. I have no doubt God placed me here because he knows my passion for human trafficking and I’m ready to help restore.
Love you all, Meg
