Corridors of Children, a film that takes a closer look at children who are trapped and exploited in the sex trade industry, will premier at John XXIII College in Mt Claremont on March 13.
Through testimonials of children caught in the web of sexual slavery, along with interviews with world leaders fighting the trade, the documentary aims to inform and provoke further thought on the issue.
“I hope the documentary will raise awareness of the extent of human trafficking and sex slavery that goes on in Thailand,” Sr Lucy van Kessel PBVM told The Record.
Directed and produced by Cam Smeal, Corridors of Children explores the confronting conditions that lead to child sexual exploitation in South East Asia, including factors such as extreme poverty, poor law enforcement, corruption and traffickers.
Sr van Kessel, who is attending the premiere, hopes that Corridors of Children will sensitise tourists who visit Thailand to the exploitation, abuse and misery that the children experience as a result of trafficking and discourage them from sexually exploiting children, especially girls, and women.
“I hope it will encourage men, boys and women to speak about trafficking and slavery in their homes and to discuss the importance of respecting the rights and needs of all people, especially children,” Sr van Kessel said.
“I hope it will lead more people to work actively to stop trafficking, to seek prosecution of traffickers and to ask our government to increase aid for the education of children in Asian and Pacific Island countries.”
Sr van Kessel has coordinated the Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) group in WA since 2009.
ACRATH works with other like-minded organisations, including Anti-Slavery, Project Respect, the Red Cross, Australian Federal Police, Walk Free, Caritas and various migrant centres to educate, recognise and stop human trafficking.
“WA ACRATH has enlisted Sisters from different congregations and lay people to assist in raising awareness about human trafficking in parishes, schools, universities, among community groups and with politicians and police,” Sr van Kessel said.
“We support people who have been trafficked by walking alongside them and networking with most Asian countries via Caritas Asia to give interpreter support to a number of women and girls.”
The tickets for the film are priced at $20 for adults and $15 for students, with part of the proceeds going directly towards an orphanage in Thailand that rescues street children in danger of being trafficked.
“The documentary is another, not a new, way to spread awareness about these issues. Ideally, I would like to see 30-second stories on television which highlight trafficking and slavery in Australia and Asia particularly and raise awareness of the signs of trafficking,” Sr van Kessel said.
Tickets can be purchased online: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=74547