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AAT Newsletter
July-September 2015
(with breaking news of a recent rescue operation)
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Every little bit helps. All the support from you can help provide opportunities and protection to Southeast Asian women and children. Visit our site for different ways to get involved at aatthai.org/get-involved or click Donate button below for providing funding support through our giving widget online system.
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Welcome to our 2nd issue of AAT Newsletter!
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Dear AAT friends and supporters!
Time flies so fast. Before we know it, it's almost the end of the year. There is a delay on releasing the newsletter this quarter. We truly apologize for putting everyone in suspense waiting on it.
During this quarter, we are very impressed to see a working progress on the Thai Government's effort in combating human trafficking issues, especially on opening a special court exclusively for human trafficking cases in August 2015. Together with other two special Criminal Courts for narcotics cases and cases related to corruption and misbehavior by government officials, the special criminal court division for human trafficking cases created to ensure cases related to these three crimes can be tried effectively. Actually, having a special court like this has been one of our recommendations proposed to the current Government (together with our partner organizations from Anti-Human Trafficking Network) in hoping to speed up the legal procedure for the best interest of the victims.
Similar to the first issue, this 2nd Newsletter will be featured insights stories, activities updates and upcoming event from both of the Regional Offices: Thailand and Vietnam. One additional extra content that we would like to share is our recent breaking news of the rescue operation in Surin province.
Thank you for your continued support and feel free to forward this email to interested parties!
AAT TEAM
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Insight story from the field
The Unheard Voice: Story from the balcony of 7-storey building
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Back in Shan State, Myanmar
Every year, at the end the Rainy Season or the Buddhist Lent, it's a tradition that every member of the family--sons, and daughters who are away or working abroad--have to return home. At the temples where villages members are gathering, young women who have been working in other countries, such as Thailand, would attend with beautiful clothes and make-ups, showing photos of themselves in their Samsung, OPPO or iPhone, while exchange different stories of their lives in Thailand with their loved ones. Stories; beautiful, happy and positive stories, selectively have been told.
Kham, a 17 years old girl told her sisters, "it was an easy job. I got a lot of money and able to build a bigger house for my parents". Other girls, similar to Kham, chose to tell only one side of the story--the side that other people would like to hear. It is also this same side that lured more and more young women into the dark reality that many have to face when they were working in Thailand. Here is one of many untold stories, the other side of the "happy" stories;
The Debt Trap System, Thailand
"I learned about my niece, Fon's story from Facebook wall of her friend. It said my niece fell off the 7-storey-building in Bangkok and that she was kidnapped and raped. She's still alive in the hospital." Ms. Sai told AAT staff.
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Together with the Labor's Rights Promotion Network Foundation (LPN), AAT went to see Fon in the hospital and provided her with needed legal assistance. Fon said she was working at a soapy massage parlor and was a victim of this loan shark mafia. She's in debt and in need of money to send home therefore she loaned 35,000 THB more from Mr. Heng (without knowing that he' was a mafia), with a condition that she had to pay back the interest of 1,050 THB daily. For 2 years, she has been paid. When she stopped, Mr. Heng and friends kidnapped her, raped, physically abused, and locked her up in the room. If they have to go outside, Fon would be followed with the crew.
At the balcony, Fon said she was being chased and threatened so she ran outside and climb over to the outside part of the balcony. Mr. Heng came close, released her hands, which were griped onto the balcony's bar and then push her down. To the polices, according to Mr. Heng, Fon was drunk and fell out of the balcony herself.
Unfortunately, while AAT and LPN were working hard to collect evidence against Mr. Heng's account. Fon, at the age of 20 years old, passed away peacefully in the hospital. To continue the case, her parents need to sign to proceed. Her mom already passed away and her dad was too far away in Shan State, Myanmar. Under such circumstances, the case was discontinued.
Note: With respect and confidentiality, all names appeared in this story are all made up names.
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Breaking news: Rescue operation in Surin province, Thailand
(4 November) Breaking news from last night rescue operation in Surin province, northeastern part of Thailand. AAT, in collaboration with a Special Task Force of Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA), the Interior Ministry, was able to rescue 40 Thai young women from 11 brothels disguised as karaoke bars and restaurants. Of this number, 6 of them were initially confirmed to be around 15-17 years old. 7 brothel owners and "promoters" were arrested at the scene. At present, the DOPA is working on extending the case forward (for permanent closing of entertainment places) and possibly charging alleged offenders with human trafficking. Additionally, the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) is also taken this case into further investigation on those networks of government official, local polices and others involving with corruption (those who were taking bribes of sex, cash and gifts from these 11 brothels).
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The Modern Man T-shirt Snap & Share Campaign (Don't buy, Don't sell, Don't exploit women) has successfully completed with more than 10,000++ likes and shares (all photos and video clips combined).
Using 3 approaches (Communication for Development; Participatory Learning Action; and Positive Peers Pressure) to design the awareness-raising activity among youths living nearby Thai-Laos border in Chong Mek, Ubonratchathani province, this campaign had more than 40 teams of 3-5 school kids signed up. Within 15 days (25 Sept-10 Oct), we asked each team to bring the T-shirts, with campaign message, to other people in their communities to wear as well as taking photos or recording video clips. Then, each team have to post them on our Facebook page: facebook.com/aatnewgen and with message why should not men sell, buy and exploit women. Those who have the highest numbers of posts, likes and shares are awarded with more than 10,000 THB of prizes.
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" It was a great activity. It's actually got me thinking about choosing the right boyfriend or when a guy asking me out on a date--whether or not I can trust this person. I have to choose the one that will not buy, sell or exploit women" said one of the girls from Betty Duman School Chong Mek.
Special thanks go to our generous supporter like KNH Kindernothilfe E.V.
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Combating Human Trafficking Together: Networking and Collaboration with Caritas and A21
Following the introduction of each other works at the UN-ACT 3-months Regional Meeting, the outside meeting of Caritas, A21 and AAT were arranged to share experiences, discuss on human trafficking issues, as well as explore future collaboration opportunities together (7 July). It was a productive meeting, which led to the follow-up trip together, as explained below.
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Networking and situation monitoring: Dannok-Sadao district of Songkhla province, close to the Thai-Malaysia border.
(10-12 September) Together with Caritas Thailand, A21 (Thailand), AAT visited a volunteers group for local development of Nong Kham Sub-district to update situations around the area, including human trafficking and exploitation issues. Future directions to extend our works and collaboration in the southern part together were also discussed. It was great to have a working-trip with like-minded organizations such as Caritas and A21. A special thanks is also extended to Nong Kham Volunteer Group for your kind hospitality.
Note: As part of a Special Economic Zone, streets around Dannok are filled with nightclubs, karaoke bars and massage parlors. Most customers are Malaysian, Singaporean tourists and regular visitors.
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Documentary "The Future of Shan Women"
Reflecting from the rising number of women and girls from Shan State, Myanmar cases that we have been working with in the past few years, we think it is necessary to spread out important message to raise awareness in the source country. This documentary touched on the issues of human trafficking in Thailand, especially sexual trafficking and exploitation. It portrayed the reality side of the "beautiful" stories about risking one's life to find works in Thailand. Useful subject like Safe migration is also presented in this story. This documentary is made in 4 languages; Thai, Shan, English and German.
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Prevention work: increasing safe migration habits in target communities, Pakse, Lao PDR
Near Vang Tao International Border Crossing, where hundreds or thousands of migrant labors, locals, and tourists are crossing in and out between Thailand and Lao PDR daily. Apart from having a Coordination Center right at the border crossing to provide services and information sharing for deported illegal migrant workers, AAT, together with the Lao Federation of Trade Union has now set up a mobile booth on the side of the main road (from Vang Tao border heading to the city of Pakse) to hand out pamphlets about safe migration and telephone numbers to the passerby (in case of an emergency or for general consultations). Our target groups are selectively catering to young women and girls.
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Career Alternative: from a liquid dish washing soap-making class to a larger community engagement
Back in May, AAT initiated a community development activity, “Washing Power Activity”, in order to support women empowerment program from their country of origin. The activity was held at Kad Tao Temple, Kengtung, Myanmar. In partnership with local leaders, AAT invited the target group focusing on young women, and also other youths, housewives and househusbands who were interested. Over 40 participants participated in the event, which was new for them to experience this kind of training workshop.
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Mohom, a representative of young women and teegnagers from a local community said that “I think I will take this dish-washing liquid making to discuss further with local women group that we may set up a group to make this as another source of income. At least, once the group learned how to make this dishwasher liquid, they can make it themselves instead of buying it from groceries, which save us a lot of money”.
As Mohom stated, indeed, many of the participants went back to their community and passed on their knowledge and wisdom. In this picture, the training was done in Muang La, Shan State. The picture also shows this teenage girl who has been producing own dish-washing soap to sell in own village and surrounding area.
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Rescuing and Repatriating trafficking victims in Malaysia
Since July 2015, AAT has been working with its network in Malaysia, particularly Tenaganita, who also pulls in their resources in the country to help rescue and investigate 6 cases of alleged trafficking of Vietnamese women in Malaysia. The potential victims can be at least 130 Vietnamese women.
In one of the cases, in collaboration with Tenaganita and the Malaysian Police, AAT was able to break a prostitution ring in a central province of Malaysia. This resulted in the rescuing of 27 women and the arrest of traffickers involved. The women are now in Malaysia following the investigation procedures. AAT is looking forward to repatriate them in the next few months.
Beside those who are still following through the investigation process in Malaysia, AAT has repatriated 16 Vietnamese victims from Malaysia from August to September.
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The Preventive Education Sponsorship Project
After two months of planning, in September, AAT has launched The Preventive Education Sponsorship Project focused on children at risk of sexual abuse and sex trafficking. The Project targets daughters and younger sisters of women in prostitution in Ho Chi Minh City. The beneficiaries of this project are faced with higher risks of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, as well as early sex debut and human trafficking. The struggling to get an education or a job prevents many of them from getting out of the cycle of poverty and limits their livelihood options.
On 27 September 2015, we officially began the initiative for the 2015-2016 school year with 15 education supporting packages. The beneficiaries, from 2nd to 12th grades (8 to 17 years old) and their families have received the first supports from the project for uniform and school supplies. Tuition support will be arranged and followed with a series of periodical life skills training (for example: reproductive health and sex education, self-protection and other soft skills to boost their confidence and ability to act for their safety and their rights) and individualized following up and support.
AAT aims to reach 135 beneficiaries more by 2018 with the intent to bring about long term changes in the lives of these vulnerable families and communities. AAT are looking forward to retain new long term cooperation and support to this project.
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Focus group discussion with women in prostitution from different areas in HCMC
The participants are beneficiaries of AAT outreach program. They expressed great appreciation for the services provided by the outreach program. The outreach group is a team of 8 peer educators who approach women daily in prostitution areas of Ho Chi Minh City. The peer educators provide information about risks of STD’s, sexual exploitation, human trafficking as well as offer health check-ups, treatments and alternatives to prostitution to those who wish to exit from their current situation.
Many of the participants are mothers who have daughters of school age and are struggling to keep their kids at school. They understand very clearly that education is very important to their children’s future. “I don’t want my daughter to follow my footsteps. I would do whatever to have money to send her to school. If she doesn’t have an education, she would end up being like me.” – Said a young mother of a 8 year-old daughter.
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Social Enterprise Project
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"Sister for Sale" Documentary by the Human Earth Project
Base on a true story, a documentary, "Sister for Sale" will be released in 2016. It's an an inspiring story of courageous young Vietnamese women fighting to determine their own fates in a shadow world of sex, greed and violence.
Message from Ben Radall on AAT's FACEBOOK: "Last year, I returned to Vietnam to investigate the abductions of two teenage friends of mine. Both young women had been trafficked and sold as brides in China - and incredibly, after five months of investigations, I succeeded in finding them both. Still only teenagers themselves, each of my friends had given birth in China, and faced a decision no mother should ever have to make: the choice between her child and her freedom."
Last year, AAT founder and CEO Georges Blanchard was interviewed by Ben Randall, from the Human Earth Project, about trafficking of women from Vietnam. See the trailer (featuring Georges Blanchard of Alliance Anti Trafic) at https://vimeo.com/140495800 and learn more about 'Sisters For Sale' at www.humanearth.net"
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Shout out to those who are in or traveling to Vientiane, Lao PDR, we would like to recommend you to drop by at Made in Mekong: Coffee and Creative Crafts. Made in Mekong is a social enterprise project initiated by AAT. We provided (beginning stage) training and supports, as well as encouraged a local lady owner and local staffs to be able to run this business independently.
The Shop located on Samsenthai Road, near the Cultural Hall and the National Museum. Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Coffee or tea, anyone?
Follow us by click LIKE and stay tune with each month promotion at facebook.com/madeinmekong
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AAT Hotline and Case Notifications
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VIETNAM
AAT hotline: (+84) (0) 902 944 334 (Vietnamese and English)
AAT Vietnam puts into use its new hot line number for a victim of trafficking and witnesses. If you are a victims of trafficking and you need support such as rescuing, repatriation, rehabilitation or reintegration, If you witness a case of human trafficking and you are not sure who to report to, call us and we will:
- Pass on the information to the relevant agencies,
- Provide needed information regarding your rights as a trafficking victim,
- Advise on our professional support for trafficking victims provided by AAT Vietnam.
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THAILAND
Alternative Channels: AAT Case notification and Case Referral (Thai, Vietnamese, Shan, Burmese, Laotians, and English), please click the link below,
Website: www.aatthai.org
Facebook: (Inbox) : https://www.facebook.com/AllianceAntiTrafic/messages/
Special Facebook Page: แจ้งเหตุ-มูลนิธิพิทักษ์สตรี-ลูกสาวถูกขาย คนถูกค้า
Telephone (Thailand) : 02-214-5157-8 (Office hour 9:00-17:00, Mon-Fri)
AAT is committed to handle all given information with with dignity and respect. Please be sure that all information reported will be kept strictly confidential.
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About Alliance Anti Trafic (AAT)
With more than 14 years experience in this field, Alliance Anti-Trafic (AAT) is a non-profit, non-partisan and non-religious organization that aims to protect women and children in Southeast Asia from sexual exploitation and trafficking. AAT has two regional offices; one in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and one in Bangkok, Thailand. Both offices are regional because AAT works anywhere in the region when necessary in order to provide protection to victims.
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