The full extent of the abuse involved is staggering, a tragedy borne of supply and demand: poverty-stricken victims’ desires to have better lives for themselves and their families; affluent consumers’ insatiable hunger for ever cheaper products and labour, and for paid sex. All too often, traffickers are people the victims know and trust, as in the cases of Anna and Min Aung.

Perhaps takingrisks against their better judgement, the poor, isolated and weak are especially susceptible to falling prey to wily criminals. In many cases, the exploiters work within the framework of a large trafficking ring, supported by corrupt officials who turn a blind eye to their activities.

Tragically, human trafficking is unchecked in many Asian countries. As long as government action and legislation against human trafficking remain weak, combating human trafficking means raising awareness on three fronts: amongst potential victims in less developed countries; amongst law enforcement officers and welfare workers; and amongst clients of trafficked labour, to alert them about the signs of a trafficked victim.

Film is an important avenue for raising awareness about the human trafficking menace, and broadband Internet with videohosting websites such as YouTube have made the medium much more easily available. Education is the first step to protecting others and ourselves. Let’s put an end to human trafficking together.