2023 is starting off with freedom! AIM SWAT celebrated over 100 rescues and 25 arrests in 2022, but they are not slowing down one bit. Just in the first few months of 2023, they have been working closely with local authorities to rescue 26 survivors and arrest 9 traffickers. We are so proud of this team. Please join us in praying for the year ahead and all those who will find freedom and healing in 2023!
Are you interested in learning more about the SWAT Team and how they work? Click here!
January 17th
On the evening of Tuesday, January 17th, AIM SWAT assisted local police in the raid of a brothel fronting as a massage parlor. The raid followed covert surveillance which suggested that minors were being sold for sex on the premises. During the operation, 2 minors and 6 adults were rescued from the location! One suspect was detained for questioning. After the brothel was searched and evidence was secured, the business was shut down by local authorities.
During interviews with police, the survivors explained how they were sold to customers to the profit of the suspect. While the suspect only made a partial confession, they were charged with child sex trafficking-related offenses. They will await trial from prison. All survivors are being cared for by partner aftercare shelters and/or the district social affairs office. AIM’s Legal Team will represent all 8 women and girls in the upcoming trial.
January 30th
On the evening of January 30th, AIM SWAT and local police conducted simultaneous raids of two neighboring brothels in southern Phnom Penh. The raids were the result of undercover operations that confirmed minors were being sold for sex at the two locations, which were fronting as massage parlors.
During the raid, 2 minors and 6 adults were rescued! 2 suspects were arrested and subsequently charged with child sex trafficking-related offenses. After evidence was gathered, the brothels were shut down by authorities so no others would be harmed.
After interviews with police, the adult survivors were taken to the local district affairs office for support. The minors are now at a partner aftercare center where they will receive care. Our legal team has offered all survivors free representation as they prepare for upcoming court proceedings.
February 24th
In southern Phnom Penh, a brothel fronting as a massage parlor has been shut down by AIM SWAT and local police! On February 24th, the team raided the facility after covert surveillance confirmed that minors were being sold for sex at the location. During the raid, 2 minors and 2 adults were rescued while 1 suspect was detained.
Interviews with police revealed that the women and girls were forced to have sex with customers, which profited the suspect in question. The suspect admitted to this as well. They have been charged with child sex trafficking-related offenses and will await trial from prison.
The minors are now receiving care at AIM’s Restoration Home, while the adults are safe at Rahab’s House Phnom Penh, our transitional home for adult survivors of trafficking. Here, the women will have the space to heal while being equipped to live a life of freedom. Praise God for each of these survivors and the opportunity they have to embrace freedom!
February 28th
Two minors are safe after AIM SWAT and local police detained an adult female on suspicion of owning and operating a brothel and trafficking minors. The investigation started when a 15-year-old (one of the two mentioned previously) was tricked into leaving her home to work as a waitress in Siem Reap. When she arrived, she was forced to work in the brothel instead. After a little over a week, the girl asked to leave. The owner said she needed to pay for her freedom. The girl managed to find the money and left. Afterward, she told her mother who contacted the police to investigate.
Once the suspect was detained, police and AIM SWAT raided the brothel and rescued the other minor. Additionally, another suspect was detained. Local authorities officially shut down the brothel after evidence was collected. During interviews, the girl who was rescued explained that a similar situation had happened to her – back in November of 2022, she was tricked into leaving her home to work as a waitress before being brought to the brothel.
Both suspects denied all wrongdoing but have since been charged with child sex trafficking-related offenses. They will remain in prison until their trial, where AIM’s Legal Team will represent both the survivors and their families. The girls have been taken to AIM’s Restoration Home to receive care and healing.
March 10th
4 survivors are now safe after a married couple was arrested by local police with the help of AIM SWAT! The couple owned a karaoke bar/brothel (KTV) where the women and girls (2 minors and 2 adults) were being forced to have sex with customers. 2 of the survivors managed to leave the KTV and file a report with the police. Subsequently, the 2 others left and told police that the couple also tried to persuade them to have sex with customers against their will.
The police then contacted AIM SWAT for assistance in this case. The surveillance took place and the suspects were detained. Although both suspects denied wrongdoing, they were both charged with trafficking-related offenses and will await trial from prison.
All 4 survivors are being supported by our aftercare team while our Legal Team will represent them throughout the trial.
March 14th
2 minors and 3 adults are now safe after being rescued by AIM SWAT and local police on March 14th. Our team assisted authorities in the raid of a karaoke bar/brothel in Siem Reap following surveillance that confirmed minors were being sold on the premises.
During interviews, the survivors explained how they were sold for sex to the profit of the owner of the bar, who was detained during the raid. Although the suspect denied all wrongdoing, they were subsequently charged with child sex trafficking-related offenses. After collecting evidence, police closed the brothel for good!
Both of the minors are being cared for at AIM’s Restoration Home, while the 3 adult women are safe at Rahab’s House Phnom Penh, AIM’s transitional home specifically for adult survivors of trafficking. Our Legal Team will represent them all in the upcoming trial.
Want to read more about AIM SWAT’s work? Check out our previous updates:
Rescues Made Possible By…
Thanks to our incredible partners at Life Outreach International and modern-day abolitionists like YOU, we get to rescue these women and children from the unimaginable. Together, we are ending the evil of human trafficking. One life at a time!
