Officials in Asia reported that a woman was using her power as the owner of a karaoke bar to exploit two teenage girls, selling them for sex.
Local police contacted OUR Rescue to request that we assist their investigative efforts. At that point, officials knew the bar was recruiting females under 18 to be employees. They also suspected that minors were being sexually exploited.
As part of the investigation, and at the request of in-country law enforcement, the OUR Rescue Operations team made undercover visits to the bar.
With the evidence gathered, the visits confirmed what local officials suspected: some of the minors were being sexually exploited. OUR Rescue discovered that the karaoke bar owner sold two of the minors for sex, receiving a payment of 600 Thai Baht, which is equivalent to $17, to her bank account.
Following the undercover work, in-country law enforcement executed a rescue operation in which officials arrested the bar owner and rescued both girls.
That night, OUR Rescue Survivor Care advocated for the survivors and safely accompanied them to a government shelter. The survivors are currently at the shelter, receiving the support they need. The Survivor Care team will remain in communication with the shelter case manager and support the survivors as needed, particularly when they leave the shelter to ensure they have the support they need to rebuild their lives.
This case is ongoing, but officials now believe that both teenage girls were exploited at the karaoke bar for several months prior to the operation.