June 2010 . . STOP TRAFFICKING AND EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN

The Zonta Club is holding a Fundraising Luncheon at Norths Leagues Club at Kallangur for “The Grey Man.”  This Organisation was established in 2004 and dedicated to eradicating the trafficking and exploitation of children in Asia, especially Laos and Thailand.  “The Grey Man” is made up mainly of ex – SAS, soldiers and policemen, and is based in Brisbane.  The Grey Man organization sees the problem as best dealt with in its country of origin, and, with the prevalence of AIDS and the number of Australians visiting there each year, it is not hard to see that this is an issue which affects us.  The use of sex slaves in Australia is not widespread, and as far as I know (from a workshop last year) the police have only successfully prosecuted one case in Melbourne, but it certainly happens!
Laos is especially susceptible to trafficking as it has a young population and is in a fast developing region.  Most of the cross border trafficking takes place between Laos and Thailand. 
Most of the girls who currently escape, do so with the help of local people.  There are almost no recorded instances of their being released voluntarily.  The victims are usually lured and deceived into leaving to go to a new job with good opportunities.  Most girls leave home to help their families.
Once children are sold into sex work, it is difficult to get them out, and then once out, to show them that they can have a life outside the sex trade. 
That means setting up schools and support groups for the girls as well as helping the villages so that they do not see the selling of their children as the only way of making money.
“Shades of Grey” was aired on the ABC on 15th June 2009, and information on the Grey Man Organization is available on the net, at www.thegreyman.org