An article came out June 9th and read, “ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – At least 25 people, including 17 minors, were rescued from human traffickers while a ship captain was arrested from in a coastal village shortly before midnight Monday, police said. latest news,… He said among the minor victims were five females aged 15 to 17 years old and the youngest was a 12-year-old boy.”
A good friend (Jarrett) has done many important research studies in SE Asia the last couple of years and he has been such an advocate for us and others in this area. He commented on this article writing, “Yet another typical example of how media (and most organizations) consciously neglect the vulnerability of males to trafficking and exploitation. This article reports on 17 children who were rescued from trafficking; and it is described as if it is an instance of violence against females. It cites: “among the minor victims were five females aged 15 to 17 years old and the youngest was a 12-year-old boy.”
This is the only description of the victims that readers are given. Five female victims–among 17 ‘minor’ victims. What they AREN’T saying is that 12 underage male children were being trafficked—the youngest of whom was 12 year old boy. 70% of the child victims in this story are BOYS… and they are choosing to only see the girls! Once you notice these patterns in general discourse — and the conscious neglect of male vulnerability, you can’t un-see it… it’s everywhere.”
We currently have three full time Thai employees and two Americans working long term with DtonNaam. Research is saying there’s at least 10,000 transgendered working in the Bangkok sex industry and around 6,000 working in Pattaya.Five of us can’t feasibly help 16,000 ladyboys plus all the Thai guys working in bars due to funding and sadly, I think it’s partly because of the larger organisations and media capturing people’s attention by only discussing the women and “children,” but the typical assumption is that the children are all female. There are so many young guys and transgendered being exploited in SE Asia and we need to open our eyes!
I also believe God is a God of unlimited resources and He can abundantly provide for all six or seven organisations helping vulnerable women and kids in this city and can abundantly provide for our small team but I want people to be aware. Most of the organisations in Bangkok are under-staffed and under-funded. It seems He often delights to provide through people, so please consider giving and getting involved!
Here’s the brief article: http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/06/09/1463995/17-underage-human-trafficking-victims-rescued
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