As 2021 came to a close, AIM SWAT and local police had tremendous success, rescuing 28 survivors from trafficking and arresting 10 perpetrators! Read on to see how each operation played out. Join us in praising God for these rescues and praying for the healing of each survivor. It is only with the help of people like you that freedom is prevailing against this evil!
October 19th
On October 19th, 2021, AIM SWAT assisted local police in shutting down a brothel in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This was the result of covert surveillance that confirmed that minors were being sold for sex at the location, which was fronting as a massage parlor. One suspect was arrested during the closure and charged with child sex trafficking related offenses.
2 minors and 1 adult were rescued in the operation. During interviews they explained to police that they were kept at the massage parlor permanently, where they were being sold to customers to the profit of the suspect.
The girls are receiving care at a partner aftercare shelter. The woman was transferred to the social affairs office in Siem Reap to receive resources and assistance. AIM’s Legal Team will represent all 3 in upcoming court proceedings. The suspect will await trial from prison.
November 12th
In a suburb of Siem Reap, AIM SWAT assisted local police in shutting down a brothel fronting as a massage parlor! One suspect was arrested and charged with child sex trafficking related offenses.
1 minor and 2 adults were rescued from the premises. This operation followed covert surveillance, during which police discovered that a minor was being sold for sex at the location. During interviews with police, the survivors explained how they were sold to customers to the profit of the suspect.
The minor is being cared for at AIM’s Restoration Home, while the 2 women were referred to the Siem Reap social affairs office for assistance. AIM’s legal team will represent all the survivors during trial. The suspect will remain in prison until that time.
December 2nd
4 minors were rescued in Kampot Province, Cambodia! AIM SWAT assisted local police in investigating and arresting a female suspect who was in the process of trafficking the 4 girls. All the girls told police that their families were in situations of financial vulnerability, which the suspect took advantage of.
Meanwhile, the suspect also admitted during interviews that she would sell the girls to customers and keep half the profit. She explained that she had been in this business for over a year and would often take the girls to a local restaurant to find customers. The manager of this restaurant was then identified and arrest by police. He, additionally, admitted to his role in the crime, having been paid by the female suspect when he provided customers for her. Both have been charged for their involvement.
The girls are now being cared for by a partner aftercare shelter. AIM’s Legal Team will represent them all in court.
December 18th
2 minors and 3 adults were rescued in a raid of a brothel in central Phnom Penh. With the help of AIM SWAT, local police shut down the brothel and arrested one suspect! This raid was the result of covert surveillance that confirmed minors were being sold on the premises.
During interviews with police, the survivors explained that they were sold to customers to the profit of the suspect. In fact, one girl stated that she was often sold between 10 and 20 times a day. The suspect admitted to the crime and was subsequently charged with child sex trafficking related offenses.
The minors have been taken to a partner aftercare shelter to receive care. Two of the adults were also taken to a partner aftercare center, while one adult was taken to AIM’s Transitional Home in Phnom Penh. AIM’s Legal Team will represent all survivors in upcoming court proceedings.
December 25th
After over a week of investigation, 3 suspects were charged with child sex trafficking-related offenses on Christmas Day. Two of the suspects were identified as managers of a beer garden where minors were being sold for sex. The third was a customer.
2 girls were rescued from the beer garden after the family of one girl filed a complaint to police that their daughter was being exploited at the location. As police investigated and raided the location, the second survivor was rescued.
Both girls are receiving aftercare services at AIM’s Restoration Home. AIM’s Legal Team will represent them in the upcoming court proceedings.
December 27th
7 minor and 3 adults were rescued from a brothel in a village north of Phnom Penh that was fronting as a karaoke bar. After covert surveillance confirmed that minors were being sold at the location, AIM SWAT assisted local police in closing the brothel. One suspect was arrested.
The survivors told police that they each owed the suspect money and were expected to work in the brothel to the profit of the suspect. The suspect also admitted to this and was subsequently charged with child sex trafficking-related offenses.
Two of the minors were taken to AIM’s aftercare center to receive care; the five others are being cared for by a partner organization, while the adults were assisted by the social affairs office. All survivors will be represented by AIM’s Legal Team in court.
December 28th
A brothel near Phnom Penh has been shut down after the parents of a survivor filed a complaint to police! In October of 2021, the parents of a 12-year-old girl went with local police to rescue their daughter from a KTV. Following this, police contacted AIM SWAT for assistance in investigating the location.
After an investigation, the owner has been arrested and charged with child sex trafficking-related offenses and the brothel was closed. The survivor is receiving aftercare services at AIM’s Restoration Home. AIM’s Legal Team will represent her in the upcoming court proceedings.
Although 2021 brought challenges, AIM SWAT and local police have been working as hard as ever to bring freedom to those trapped in slavery. We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and the freedom that it has secured.
RESCUES MADE POSSIBLE BY…
Thanks to our incredible partners at Operation Underground Railroad, Life Outreach International, and modern-day abolitionists like YOU, we get to rescue these children from the unimaginable. Together we fight against the world’s greatest evil, doing whatever it takes to defeat it.
