Maya, a former trafficking victim, was rescued from a brothel and is now free.

Human trafficking is an organised criminal activity that deceives and coerces people into slavery.

The vast majority of victims trafficked into sexual exploitation are vulnerable women and girls, robbed of their freedom and dignity.

In the Asia-Pacific, workers also face the horrors of forced labour, child labour and exploitation, particularly in the garment industry.

Tearfund has a deep compassion for the oppressed and a yearning for justice. We believe the exploitation of poor and vulnerable people is a gross injustice that must be confronted.

What we’re doing

We take a comprehensive approach in dealing with human trafficking and exploitation. Through our partners on the ground, we:

  • Help to protect people vulnerable from trafficking and worker exploitation by running empowerment and education programmes.
  • Assist authorities to investigate criminal networks behind trafficking and slavery.
  • Work with local law enforcement to prosecute traffickers, preventing more people from becoming enslaved.
  • Give survivors a safe place to heal and recover and restore their dignity through rehabilitation and supported reintegration.
  • We launched the Ethical Fashion Guide Aotearoa New Zealand to help you make informed choices when purchasing clothing. When you support brands with a high ethical rating you are voting for safe, fair working conditions.

  • $150 billion (USD)

    Is the annual profit generated through human trafficking and slavery. Of that, sexual exploitation generates $99 billion

  • 21 Million

    The number of people trapped in slavery today. More than ever before in history

  • 4.5 Million

    The number of people in forced sexual exploitation – the population of New Zealand. The vast majority are women and children.

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  • 1 – 2%

    The number of victims that are ever rescued

  • 98%

    of victims of commercial sexual exploitation are women and girls.

  • 24 people

    are prevented from being trafficked for every year a trafficker is behind bars, it is estimated.

  • Without demand

    for pornography or prostitution there would be no sex trafficking

Tuan and Ny's story

Tuan and Ny's story

“I don’t know how old I was when I was sold. I just remember that I was small and that it happened many times. I want to blame my mother for what she did to me, but I don’t because she is my mother and we were too poor.” 

Tuan, 13, and her younger sister, Ny, 9, are two of eight children who were born in Thailand but immigrated to Cambodia at a very young age. They never really knew their parents or their siblings as all were forced to work in different areas to help support their family. Tuan and Ny were sold—across borders back to Thailand— to a family who forced them to sell bracelets in front of nightclubs. The girls started work around 6 or 7 p.m. and stayed out alone all night.

They didn't come home again until around 5 a.m., nearly 12 hours later, and only if they had earned enough money. If not, they were beaten, their hair pulled, their heads bashed, and they were held submerged under water.

The Thai police eventually rescued Tuan and Ny and arrested their bosses. Shortly after their rescue they were taken to Tearfund’s partner, Hagar, and given clothes, shelter and an education. Today they are excelling in school and among the top five in their classes. In the future, Tuan wants to be a flight attendant, and Ny, a teacher. They want to have children who will be raised with an education, so that they will never fall into a trap like they experienced. 

How you can help

Make a monthly donation of $30 or more to support Protect.

Your donation will:

  • Prevent women and children in vulnerable areas from being trafficked
  • Educate vulnerable communities about employment and child rights
  • Rescue victims of trafficking
  • Prosecute traffickers
  • Provide legal support and aftercare for trafficked people and exploited workers
  • Help to rehabilitate survivors and reintegrate them back into their chosen communities

Donate now

Your donation will go to our Anti-trafficking and Exploitation work.

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Get Involved

Thank you so much for your interest in Anti-Trafficking and Exploitation. Click here if you want to get more involved. We also have lots of resources available on Anti-Trafficking and Exploitation.