Human trafficking and child exploitation are some of the most prevalent crimes in the world today. Some experts speculate that yearly profits from these unspeakable crimes may one day surpass those of the international drug trade.
“This is an epidemic of a scope and scale never seen before. We face a common threat that is rapidly growing, spreading, and constantly evolving,” said Richard Morley, Regional Director for Our Rescue’s Europe and Asia Regions. “Human traffickers are increasingly sophisticated and capable of carrying out unimaginable crimes that are, quite frankly, hiding in plain sight.”
On May 20, 2026, Our Rescue’s team in Asia partnered with the Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children (TICAC) Task Force,* to support an arrest and rescue mission in North Thailand. The operation began with a Cyber Tip from NCMEC and a critical need to identify a suspect and his location. TICAC requested support from Our Rescue specifically to help provide access to Survivor Care and to help with operational on-the-ground logistics such as covering expenses for accommodations, vehicle rental, fuel costs and providing photography services for the case.
This collaborative operation was a success, resulting in the arrest of a 50-year-old male suspected of child sexual abuse and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
These efforts also brought a vulnerable, 9-year-old girl to safety. She had been groomed by the suspect who manipulated her that his actions were an expression of love. He gave the child money to help earn her trust. Following the operation, the child was supported through immediate survivor care and referred to a government shelter where she could access ongoing protection and support. Our Rescue’s Survivor Care team worked alongside M-Society and government partners to help ensure a coordinated, child-centered response.
Richard added, “These predators are preying on those most vulnerable in our communities – our children. It’s happening where we live, if that’s in the far reaches of sparsely populated lands or in the crowded, bustling cities of the world. Boundaries no longer matter – they’re online.”
Investigators in Thailand interviewed the girl and learned this was perhaps not an isolated incident of sexual abuse. Law enforcement began piecing together the details of a potential second crime, connected to another male suspect who lived nearby. This case remains open and is under investigation with local police.
As of July 2026, the first male suspect is pending charges. Our Rescue is following the progression of this case and is prepared to support the ongoing response, as needed. We are grateful to report that all individuals involved in this operation are currently safe.
Cases like this highlight the power of collaboration in the fight again human trafficking and child exploitation. No one organization or individual is in this fight alone. Right now, any one individual can Rise Up and Join The Fight by donating and potentially have their donation matched dollar for dollar.
*Established by the Royal Thai Police, the Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children (TICAC) Task Force is a specialized law enforcement unit dedicated to investigating, tracking, and prosecuting human trafficking, online child sexual exploitation, and digital predators in Southeast Asia. While based in Thailand, this governmental organization is making a meaningful impact across the broader Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Backed by advanced forensics to monitor the internet, track dark-web communities, and locate abusers, TICAC collaborates with the U.S. FBI, HSI, NCMEC, and Our Rescue in the fight against child exploitation worldwide, dismantling the infrastructure used to distribute CSAM. Often, TICAC conducts early morning search and arrest raids, bringing children to safety and supporting their referral into protective care and survivor support services.
