Social media, at its best, is a place for connection and caring relationships. Unfortunately, at its worst, it can become an avenue for adults to exploit those more vulnerable than themselves.
This was happening to five teenage girls in Thailand. They were being advertised on social media through suggestive posts. Buyers could then message four different traffickers online to arrange a meeting with one of the girls in person to sexually abuse them. The youngest girl was just 13 years old.
Fortunately, The Exodus Road has uses for social media too. Our team regularly uses cyber investigation tactics to identify trafficking in partnership with police. We collected information about these teenagers and delivered it to law enforcement. They were able to remove these girls from their traffickers, arresting the four perpetrators in the process.
Our social workers were on site to provide immediate emotional support and care to these survivors. The girls were anxious and afraid, but our team assured them: you’re not in trouble. No one is going to hurt you anymore. You’re safe.
Social media is consistently in the top two tools traffickers use in the cases that The Exodus Road investigates worldwide. (Image representative.)
The four perpetrators are now facing justice. Cyber investigations continue as our team tirelessly hunts leads to see if there is any further exploitation connected to this network.
Social media is consistently in the top two tools traffickers use in the cases that The Exodus Road investigates worldwide. It’s more important than ever that we fight for a safer internet, learning to recognize and report the signs of exploitation. Learn more at influenced.org.
