My journey to creating Unseen
Human trafficking is a global issue that affects millions of people around the world. It is a heinous crime that involves the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, often for forced labor or sexual purposes. It is estimated that over 4.8 million people are trapped in forced sexual exploitation at any given time, with women and children being the primary victims.
This issue is at the centre of my heart and has developed into a massive passion project that we could film for years and years. There will never be a short supply of both heartbreaking and hope-filled stories from survivors and those doing incredible work in anti-trafficking around the world.
Sex trafficking is a lucrative business, generating billions of dollars in profit for traffickers. But despite being one of the most profitable criminal enterprises worldwide, human trafficking remains a hidden crime that is difficult to detect and prosecute.
The reach of sex trafficking is vast, with victims being transported across borders and continents. It is prevalent in both developed and developing countries, and no region is immune to its impact.
The internet has made it easier for traffickers to recruit victims and advertise their services, making it even more challenging to combat this heinous crime. Despite efforts to raise awareness and take action against sex trafficking, it continues to be a pervasive problem that demands urgent attention from governments, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organisations around the world.
One of the main challenges in combating human trafficking is the lack of awareness about its prevalence and the ways in which it happens. Many people assume that human trafficking only occurs in certain parts of the world or within specific industries. However, the truth is that trafficking happens everywhere, including in developed countries.
To raise awareness about this issue, I understand that there is a need for education and outreach efforts that can reach people from different backgrounds and communities. I am inspired by the work of organisations that are dedicated to fighting human trafficking and providing support to victims. These organizations use a variety of strategies, including advocacy, victim services, and law enforcement partnerships, to address the different facets of this complex problem.
My dream is to create a series of documentaries partnering with anti-trafficking NGOs all around the globe. God has given me the opportunity through filmmaking to raise awareness and inspire action on this issue. I believe that documentaries can be a powerful tool to educate people about human trafficking and to provide a platform for survivors to share their stories. Through a documentary series, people can learn about the different forms of trafficking, the root causes of this issue, the efforts being made to prevent it and how they can be a part of the solution.