Meet Justice

DAY 15 – Cambodia

Looking around the room at this circle of people, I couldn’t help but shake my head. Toward the corner of the room, a tall, thin white man sits attentively in a chair. He’s by default the focal point of this group and the leader of our discussion. Around him in the circle there is several Khmer- born Cambodian’s, a young Filipino counselor, a gentle lady with a strong British accent, a well- traveled Scottish woman, a Cambodian born translator who speaks nearly perfect English, and, well, two American dudes on a crazy trip around the world…

This assorted crew of people are the exact sort of heroes that we set out to find on this journey called The Passport. Each of these justice-fighters are an essential element of a well organized team that rescues young boys and girls from the jaws of this country’s most gripping evil- child trafficking for the sex trade.

This is serious business. We can’t tell you anything more about the identities of those in the circle, because, quite frankly, they put their lives and well-being on the line every day to fight the bad guys. They go up against kidnappers, pedophiles, brothel owners, and other heinous criminals who are also well organized and without any moral restraints.

Today as we sit in this early morning meeting, we listen to discussions and strategy from the front lines of this war-zone. Conversations that discuss the status of young rape victims, groups of girls recently rescued out of brutal brothels, a suspected pedophile who is under surveillance, and the latest update on court cases and interviews.

We learn rather quickly that there is a cycle to human trafficking and sex crimes here in Cambodia, rarely is one event not tied to a series of other issues. A history of massive genocide in this country has led to a society gripped in trauma. Extreme poverty looms everywhere. Desperate mothers lean on kids to help bring income. Fathers view children as commodities to be used. They get sold. They get kidnapped. Brothel owners drug, abuse, and most of all, brainwash these innocent little 12 year old girls. The girls assume guilt and responsibility. They become trapped. Day after day, night after night. Used. Abused. Tormented. The literal hellholes of earth become their home.

It is injustice that will turn your stomach over. And it happens all over the world everyday. But for today, we are here in Cambodia. And today, we’re beginning to capture the work of this team who has established a recovery center and amazing program of after-care to deal with these young victims. We believe that over the next few days, you’ll begin to get a glimpse of not just the horrors of this industry, but also the hope that lies in the work of an organization who is providing a second life to those trapped in the darkest corners of this city.

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