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we believe that there is hope, even amidst the darkness of human trafficking in Cambodia.

we believe that there is hope, even amidst the darkness of human trafficking in Cambodia.

We believe that there is hope, even amidst the darkness of human trafficking in Cambodia.

We believe that there is hope, even amidst the darkness of human trafficking in Cambodia.

Over 261,000 Cambodians are living in modern-day slavery.

Genocide and civil war left countless Cambodian families traumatized, living in extreme poverty, desperate for income and vulnerable to exploitation. Today, we see a new generation of young Cambodians tenaciously seeking out a better future for their families. Social structures and supports are still being rebuilt throughout the country, leaving many young people unprotected, uninformed and at risk of falling prey to exploitation.

Traffickers promise well-paying jobs abroad, but instead, young Cambodian men and women are sold into modern-day slavery. They endure brutal working conditions, physical and sexual violence, and are trapped with no way home.

Survivors who miraculously escape come home destitute, traumatized, ashamed and broken. But they are not alone.

 

Our Work

Ratanak is working collaboratively with vulnerable communities, NGOs and Cambodian government agencies to end exploitation and support trafficking survivors on their journey to healing.

We focus on 4 key areas.

Equip Cambodians to Prevent ExploitationTo stop exploitation before it starts, Ratanak equips Cambodians to teach vulnerable communities how to identify the tactics of human traffickers. We work with village chiefs, local police, pastors, government officials and other local leaders who want to learn how to further protect their communities.

Equip Cambodians to Prevent Exploitation

To stop exploitation before it starts, Ratanak equips Cambodians to teach vulnerable communities how to identify the tactics of human traffickers. We work with village chiefs, local police, pastors, government officials and other local leaders who want to learn how to further protect their communities.

Work Collaboratively to Protect the VulnerableRatanak is passionate about working hand-in-hand with others to confront the larger systems that make trafficking and exploitation possible. We engage in research, encourage knowledge sharing and directly support the improvement of national systems that protect the vulnerable and care for survivors.

Work Collaboratively to Protect the Vulnerable

Ratanak is passionate about working hand-in-hand with others to confront the larger systems that make trafficking and exploitation possible. We engage in research, encourage knowledge sharing and directly support the improvement of national systems that protect the vulnerable and care for survivors.

Help the Trafficked Return Home Ratanak works alongside Cambodian government agencies to help trafficking survivors come home to their families after being held captive in another country. We connect them to programs and resources that can help them recover and reduce their risk of being re-trafficked.

Help the Trafficked Return Home

Ratanak works alongside Cambodian government agencies to help trafficking survivors come home to their families after being held captive in another country. We connect them to programs and resources that can help them recover and reduce their risk of being re-trafficked.

Persevere in Love to Restore SurvivorsRatanak empowers survivors to live with dignity and hope. With trauma counselling, life-skills training, education opportunities, vocational training and family support, young women and men have the emotional and physical tools they need to live their lives free from exploitation and achieve their full potential.

Persevere in Love to Restore Survivors

Ratanak empowers survivors to live with dignity and hope. With trauma counselling, life-skills training, education opportunities, vocational training and family support, young women and men have the emotional and physical tools they need to live their lives free from exploitation and achieve their full potential.

Freedom Stories

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20 Years a Slave

Rith’s story

I will not give up hope to continue my journey of life. Finally, I have my own family. I express my gratitude to Ratanak for giving me a new life.” -Rith


At just 17, Rith longed to provide for his impoverished family. He dreamed of owning his own farm, but when he was told he’d make a good income on a fishing boat, he couldn’t refuse the opportunity. But instead of being paid what he was promised, he was beaten, abused and underfed — spending the next 20 years as a slave at sea, sold from boat to boat.

One day, Rith finally saw his chance to escape. The shoreline looked close, so he leapt overboard and swam for his life. On land, he was apprehended by Malaysian police who thankfully brought him to the Cambodian Consulate—he was finally able to return home! From there, he was connected to Ratanak. After counselling, job training and ongoing support, Rith now runs a small farm with his loving wife and child by his side. His lifelong dream fulfilled, Rith is endlessly thankful to Ratanak.

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…And finally, love

Veata’s story

“After eight months trying to search for Veata’s family members, we’re now celebrating with joy as we finally found her mother.” —Chantha, Ratanak Case Manager


Veata spent her life feeling unwanted and unloved. After being diagnosed with epilepsy, her father and stepmother abused her and tried to abandon her. When they died, Veata became homeless at just 15. After months on the street, a stranger offered her a fresh start through a restaurant job overseas. Veata agreed!

In Malaysia, she joined a house filled with girls from Cambodia. Things didn’t feel right. Her instincts were confirmed when the traffickers forced her to have sex to earn her stay. Soon, the trauma triggered her epilepsy. When her captors realized her condition, they kicked her out, leaving her homeless in a foreign country.Incredibly, Veata managed to find the Cambodian embassy and return home where she was introduced to Ratanak.

Ratanak staff dedicated themselves to finding Veata’s long-lost mother. After eight months of searching, mother and daughter were joyfully reunited, after a lifetime apart. Today, Veata is loved, safe and cared for thanks to Ratanak supporters!

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20 Years a Slave

Rith’s story

I will not give up hope to continue my journey of life. Finally, I have my own family. I express my gratitude to Ratanak for giving me a new life.” -Rith


At just 17, Rith longed to provide for his impoverished family. He dreamed of owning his own farm, but when he was told he’d make a good income on a fishing boat, he couldn’t refuse the opportunity. But instead of being paid what he was promised, he was beaten, abused and underfed — spending the next 20 years as a slave at sea, sold from boat to boat.

One day, Rith finally saw his chance to escape. The shoreline looked close, so he leapt overboard and swam for his life. On land, he was apprehended by Malaysian police who thankfully brought him to the Cambodian Consulate—he was finally able to return home! From there, he was connected to Ratanak. After counselling, job training and ongoing support, Rith now runs a small farm with his loving wife and child by his side. His lifelong dream fulfilled, Rith is endlessly thankful to Ratanak.

Veata-Mobile-Slider

…And finally, love

Veata’s story

“After eight months trying to search for Veata’s family members, we’re now celebrating with joy as we finally found her mother.” —Chantha, Ratanak Case Manager


Veata spent her life feeling unwanted and unloved. After being diagnosed with epilepsy, her father and stepmother abused her and tried to abandon her. When they died, Veata became homeless at just 15. After months on the street, a stranger offered her a fresh start through a restaurant job overseas. Veata agreed!

In Malaysia, she joined a house filled with girls from Cambodia. Things didn’t feel right. Her instincts were confirmed when the traffickers forced her to have sex to earn her stay. Soon, the trauma triggered her epilepsy. When her captors realized her condition, they kicked her out, leaving her homeless in a foreign country.Incredibly, Veata managed to find the Cambodian embassy and return home where she was introduced to Ratanak.

Ratanak staff dedicated themselves to finding Veata’s long-lost mother. After eight months of searching, mother and daughter were joyfully reunited, after a lifetime apart. Today, Veata is loved, safe and cared for thanks to Ratanak supporters!

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Join the Freedom Movement. Partner with us to protect Cambodians from exploitation and restore hope, freedom and dignity to trafficking survivors.

READ OUR NEWSLETTER

 

Hope, Freedom & Dignity

Restore Cambodian Trafficking Survivors