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While human slavery was denounced more than 200 years ago, Brigadoon aid workers Norm and Adelia Bernard have witnessed how the trade in human lives continues.
Speaking in the House of Representatives today on the Sexual Offences Against Children Bill 2010 the Hon Judi Moylan MP highlighted the recent experiences of Mr and Mrs Bernard in Thailand, where this covert and wicked practice preys on society’s most vulnerable and innocent.
Mr and Mrs Bernard established the One Heart Association, funding the essential needs of up to 90 orphans in the Sang Khan Buri orphanage on the Myanmar border.
The Bernard’s said: “a man visited the orphanage bringing a gift of one sack of rice. He asked to photograph ten of the young girls naked.”
“On another night, the night of the 28th of December 2009, nearby villagers saw a large truck enter the orphanage. It left before the morning light. In the morning it was discovered that 50 children were missing.
“The boys and girls were aged between ten and sixteen. Three of the missing girls had chosen to become Buddhist nuns.”
Mrs Moylan, who in 2007 was Permanent Delegate to the International Parliamentary Union, endeavoured to establish a list of like-minded Parliamentarians who would work across borders to use legislation to stamp out the pernicious practice of child trafficking.
Parliamentarians from 13 countries including Cambodia, Chile, China, Croatia, Ghana, Indonesia, Jordan, Monaco, New Zealand, Namibia, Singapore, Sweden and the United Kingdom expressed a willingness to support such an initiative.
“Those fighting to end child sex exploitation and supporting victims, cannot do it alone – they require the assistance of governments, robust legislative instruments and tougher penalties to stamp out this pernicious practice.’ There needs to be action in all jurisdictions as well as greater public awareness and vigilance,” Mrs Moylan said.
“They need proactive legislators. They need the support of law enforcement. Each state must take a stand and pass complementary laws, ensuring that no jurisdiction is a safe one for child traffickers.”
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