_ by Jennifer Serdienis 

I am writing this press release to inform you of the safe retrieval of 15 young human trafficking victims from a brothel in Pattaya, Thailand.  All of the girls were under the age of 10 and were working as sex slaves in the red light district.  

Global Angels Executive Director, Christian Elliott and I traveled to Thailand with human trafficking expert Aaron Cohen, to launch official talks with the Royal Thai Police and the United States International Mission (USIM) concerning a human rights campaign to combat slavery in South East Asia.  In honor of the 80^th birthday anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol of Thailand, we came to initiate discussions regarding an event with world-class entertainers. A concert of this nature will be instrumental in raising the necessary funds and publicity to support children in need.  

As a coordinator with Global Angels, I traveled to Pattaya to review shelters and prepare for the arrival of our colleagues from Hard Rock International. While I was there, renowned slave hunter, Aaron Cohen, made a midnight assessment of human trafficking in the seediest part of the city. USIM Special Agent Cohen identified a group of under aged sex slaves and coordinated with USIM and the Royal Thai Police to safely retrieve the victims.  

I met up with Aaron Cohen after his undercover investigation, and he identified the location where the victims were being housed. Once Agent Cohen had obtained the video solicitation of the unlawful activities, the evidence was given to the Royal Thai Police, who promptly responded with a retrieval unit and a van to take the girls out of slavery. I was impressed with the professionalism and concern for the victims, which the police demonstrated.  

Opposite the location I sat at a café and witnessed a girl about the age of 7 selling green neon necklaces to lure in older male customers for sex.   She reached her arms up to place one around the neck of a customer, as I watched in horror at the blatant atrocities of children lost in slavery and saw for myself the pedophiles on the prowl.  

What a relief it was when the Royal Thai Police unit arrived to save the children in this terrible situation. I was reassured to see women officers there to provide psychological support for the girls on location while the retrieval was taking place. It breaks my heart to consider the plight of millions of children left in human trafficking all over the world, but witnessing the 15 girls saved by the Royal Thai Police does provide some consolation. After a time of reflection and interviews, a police official told me, the girls will be taken to a shelter where they will be cared for, rehabilitated, and educated.  

The mission was conducted under a joint partnership between Global Angels, USIM, and the Royal Thai Police.