Breaking the Cycle: Strengthening Survivor Support in Cambodia & the Philippines
Advancing Trauma-Informed Care for Human Trafficking Survivors
With transnational trafficking of people and new online scams on the rise, World Hope International (WHI) is strengthening trauma-informed care of survivors through a new program launched this week in Southeast Asia. Transnational trafficking and online scams have surged due to economic and technological shifts.
The project, “Hope and Better Care for Survivors of Human Trafficking and Online Scamming,” was introduced to both empower caregivers and enhance the support given to survivors.
Supporters, including the British Embassy in Cambodia in collaboration with the Cambodian Ministry of Interior, pointed to a 2022 UNICEF report that found that 11% of Internet-using children between the ages of 12 and 17 experienced online sexual exploitation in the past year. The event, held in Phnom Penh, brought together government officials and embassy staff, social workers, and anti-trafficking advocates to address the growing challenges of transnational human trafficking and online exploitation.
As trafficking networks continue to grow and become more sophisticated, the project aims to:
✔ Strengthen national anti-trafficking efforts in Cambodia and the Philippines.
✔ Improve trauma-informed care for survivors of online and transnational trafficking.
✔ Equip caregivers, social workers, and government officials with training in rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
The initiative unveiled two key survivor-centered resources:
✔ Survivors’ Voices Report, featuring testimonies from Filipino and Cambodian survivors of transnational human trafficking.
✔ Trauma-Informed Care Training Manual for Child Survivors of OCSEA (Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse), a guide to help caregivers provide long-term support for survivors.
The Growing Threat of Human Trafficking & Online Scamming
The event was presided over by Chou Bun Eng, vice chairwoman of the National Committee Counter Trafficking (NCCT); Dominic Williams, British ambassador to Cambodia; and Dr. Emelita S. Goddard, WHI Cambodia country director.
“With the changing global landscape, trafficking networks are becoming more sophisticated,” said Chou Bun Eng, Cambodian Ministry of Interior secretary of state. “It is critical that we strengthen prevention measures before individuals become victims.“
The Survivors’ Voices Report sheds light on the realities of modern trafficking, amplifying survivor perspectives and shaping policy recommendations for improved protection and care.
WHI Philippines is leading a three-day training program in Cambodia, providing social workers and caregivers with practical skills to support survivors.
“By highlighting the survivors’ experiences, this initiative underscores the urgent need for trauma-informed care and continued support throughout a survivor’s journey,” Goddard said.
Collaboration for Lasting Impact
The initiative’s launch featured testimonies from Filipino survivors of trafficking in Cambodia, who shared their experiences of rescue, repatriation and reintegration.
“The launch of this initiative is a step toward a more effective and compassionate response to human trafficking,” Williams said. “We remain committed to working alongside governments, social workers, and survivor-led initiatives to create long-term solutions.“
The project is made possible through collaborations between WHI, the British Embassy, and the Cambodian Ministry of Interior, with a shared goal of creating a stronger, survivor-centered approach to tackling human trafficking.