shield arrow-simple-alt-top arrow-simple-alt-left arrow-simple-alt-right arrow-simple-alt-bottom facebook instagram linkedin medium pinterest rss search-alt shaper twitter video-play arrow-long-right arrow-long-left arrow-long-top arrow-long-bottom arrow-simple-right arrow-simple-left arrow-simple-bottom readio arrow-simple-top speaker-down plus minus cloud hb pin camera globe cart rotate Group-35 star edit arrow-top arrow-right arrow-left arrow-bottom check search Close square speaker-up speaker-mute return play pause love new-tab equalizer
Back to Stories

16-year-old Aung brought to safety from trafficking in Myanmar

Share

16-year-old Aung brought to safety from trafficking in Myanmar

June 2023

16-year-old Aung* is now safe and recovering from slavery - thanks to the support of people like you.

After Aung was deceived by a false job offer and trafficked into the fishing industry, he was forced to work without pay for more than 12 hours a day – even when he was unwell.

Aung thought he might never see his family again
. But his mum was fighting to get him back.

Desperate to find him, she contacted a local NGO, who reported the situation to the Anti-Trafficking Task Force. Thanks to her determination, the police brought Aung to safety.  

“I’m thankful to have my son back.
We don’t want other parents to go through the same feelings we had when our child disappeared,” says Aung’s mother.  

With your support, IJM provided Aung with vital aftercare to recover from what he’d been through. Today, he’s back in school with his friends. Like many teenagers, Aung dreams of becoming a footballer.

Aung is now safe. But Myanmar has recently seen a massive explosion in a new, brutal form of trafficking: forced scamming.

Right now, people are being trafficked, trapped and forced to scam people like you and me.

With ongoing unrest in Myanmar, people like Aung are at greater risk of trafficking and forced labour.

Trafficking is evolving and making more people vulnerable. See how we're working to stop new forms like forced scamming

*Pseudonym. For the protection of our client we have obscured the faces of Aung and his family

You might also be interested in…

About Stories see more
The facts about modern day slavery and trafficking in the UK

What you might not know about trafficking in the UK.

Euro 2024: Celebrating a young footballer's courage

Many people were hoping to celebrate England’s victory. But even greater cause for celebration, regardless of which team you’re supporting, is Gerald’s freedom and inspiring courage.

Trafficked to Birmingham: Mara’s story

In this interview with IJM UK’s Social Services and Criminal Justice Liaison Officer, read how she supported Mara* to see four traffickers convicted.

This International Women’s Day, we cannot ignore the exploitation risks facing Ukrainian women

Two years since war broke out in Ukraine, Ukrainian women are still facing risks of exploitation.

You Can Help Send Rescue Today.

When you give a gift today, you’ll be fighting slavery, violence, and injustice across the globe. Together, we can end slavery and violence in our lifetime.

You can make the most impact as a Freedom Partner today.

Your generous monthly support will help send rescue to vulnerable children and families at a moment’s notice, stand with them as they rebuild their lives in freedom and have perpetrators held accountable.

Login

Donor Portal

Review your giving, tax statements and contact info via the IJM Donor Portal.

please sign in
Email Sign Up
Get updates from IJM on stories from the field, events in your area and opportunities to get involved.
sign up