A New Year of Protection ✨
“I just wanted to earn money to keep studying.”
That’s what a 15-year-old girl told us after being lured across the border. She was determined to support her education, but ended up in a dangerous situation.
Fortunately, we were able to locate and rescue her.
Dear readers, partners, and supporters of AAT,
The first three months of 2025 have been a time of hard work and dedication for our team, as we continued to support children and women who have experienced exploitation and need assistance.
We’ve also been active in advocacy, presenting and sharing important research that will contribute to better protection systems for children in the long term.
This update shares key highlights, statistics, and insights from our recent work. Much more is happening behind the scenes. If you’d like to join us in this mission, your support in any form is always welcome. Thank you for your continued compassion.
👉 Support AAT’s Mission – Click here
🛡️ Protection
Between January and April 2025, AAT rescued 18 Thai nationals from sexual exploitation. We also protected 20 Lao nationals from sexual exploitation and forced marriage situations and assisted in bringing them home safely.
Shocking stats: 17 of 18 rescued in Thailand were under 18, often victims of online sexual exploitation via platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Many are lured through social media due to poverty and family neglect, making them vulnerable to diseases and unwanted pregnancies that harm their physical and mental health. Discover how you can help – Click here
⚖️ Legal assistance
Our legal support efforts are essential for ensuring that affected individuals can access justice. At AAT, we facilitate the legal process, helping victims exercise their rights and pursue legal action when necessary.
Challenges in the Past Three Months
One main challenge for us in Thailand has been the lengthy duration of legal proceedings. As time passes, it becomes difficult for officials to recall specific details of older cases, and essential documentation may be lost. Additionally, many courts now prioritize mediation, leading to cases proceeding without formal hearings or witness examination once a settlement is reached.
Case example: In a case we assisted with in January, both the victim and the accused were minors. The perpetrators were known to the victim’s family, leading them to decide against pursuing full legal proceedings. The case was settled through mediation, during which the accused admitted guilt and agreed to provide financial compensation. However, the victim’s family ultimately declined to accept the payment out of compassion, as the accused had been friends with the victim.
Nonetheless, our staff successfully applied for and received compensation on the family’s behalf through the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) of Thailand.
🌱 Rehabilitation and Empowerment
AAT supports survivors with counseling, emotional healing, family visits, and access to education or job training, tailored to each country’s context. In Jan-April :
📚 Prevention
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Prevention remains key in breaking the cycle of trafficking. During January – April 2025, AAT directly reached a total of 882 individuals across 3 countries through awareness activities and training sessions.
Participants came from diverse backgrounds, including village members, key opinion leaders, religious figures, teachers, students, corporate employees, and individuals from at-risk groups. These sessions empowered them to identify risks, protect themselves and others, and become advocates for safety in their communities.
One young man from Myanmar shared: “I was planning to migrate for work because of financial problems — but now, after this training, I’ve chosen to stay and work in my village instead.”
Another parent came forward after an awareness raising session in Myanmar, concerned that their son, who left for a job five months ago and barely made contact, might have fallen into trafficking.
📖 #HerStory: A School Holiday That Almost Ended in Tragedy
What did your school holidays look like when you were 13?
In February 2025, three Lao girls, aged 13, 15, and 16, crossed the border into China during their school break to earn money for school supplies, dormitory fees, and daily expenses. A friend from their village had invited them to work at a banana plantation, and their families trusted the opportunity.
What started as farm labor by day became something far more dangerous by night…
The girls were forced to entertain guests at night parties. When they refused advances, they faced verbal abuse and physical violence. When they asked to return home, their employer took them to a hotel, confiscated their phones, and brought each of them to the man, and the situation escalated.
Thankfully, one girl managed to ask a friend for help. That friend contacted an AAT volunteer, who coordinated with our staff at the Laos-China border. The girls were safely rescued and brought home.
Having missed over a week of school, AAT quickly provided education scholarships. Now, the three girls re-entered formal education, thanks to your scholarship support! 👉 Click here to learn more.
These words reflect a painful truth: education is still out of reach for some children, driving them into dangerous situations. We believe no child should be put in harm’s way just to go to school. Education is more than knowledge — it’s protection. Discover how supporting education can change lives and prevent exploitation.
🔔 Latest Updates
🔹 Continued Earthquake Monitoring Following the recent earthquakes in Thailand and Myanmar, our teams have closely connected with local partners and communities. We’re relieved to confirm that all staff and volunteers are safe. Thank you to everyone who reached out with support and care.
🔹 Advocacy & Research In Q1, AAT presented key findings from our latest research, supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, on online exploitation to networks and stakeholders. These insights will inform stronger regional child protection frameworks and deepen collaboration among partner agencies.
🔹 New Interns from France. We welcomed Luna and Sarah, two communications interns from France, to our Bangkok office. They’ll contribute to our communications and field support over the next 3 months. Their presence brings new energy and creativity to our team!
✨ This year, we remain committed to our mission:
To respond quickly, restore with care, and prevent future harm through education and awareness. We will see you again in September 2025!
YOU are invited to be part of this work. Help us reach more girls, protect more lives, and build safer communities. Donate via AAT Website | HelloAsso | Global giving
📲 Stay connected for regular updates: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
📧 For partnerships or inquiries, email us at communication@AllianceAntiTrafic.org or global@AllianceAntiTrafic.org