Unmasking the Shadows: Combating Child Trafficking

In this compelling and hard-hitting episode, Simon interviews Leigh from Shield of the Children, an NGO dedicated to combating child trafficking and exploitation. Leigh recounts the pivotal moment in Vietnam that drove him to establish his organisation and discusses the systemic issues behind trafficking, the importance of undercover operations, and the need for stringent laws. The conversation spans Leigh's personal experiences from growing up in Indonesia to his strategic goals for his organisation and the practical steps communities and law enforcement can take to fight trafficking. The discussion underscores the urgent need for awareness and policy changes, especially in New Zealand, where current laws fall short in addressing these heinous crimes.

Contact Leigh: [email protected]

Donate here: https://globaldevelopmentgroup.org/Projects/Details?id=90&projectName=Operation%20Aegis&projectNum=J...

01:21 Meet Lee: The Mission and Background

03:46 Experiences in Refugee Camps

13:25 Joining the Military: A New Chapter

30:50 Deployments and Intelligence Work

35:57 A Shocking Encounter in Vietnam

40:52 The Birth of Shield of the Children

45:21 Challenges and Realities of Anti-Trafficking Work

01:01:21 The Importance of Effective Aftercare

01:05:56 Piracy in the Gulf of Aden

01:15:30 Recruitment and Training Process

01:30:29 Psychological Impact and Support

01:37:36 A Grim Reality: The Fate of Trafficking Victims

01:42:14 The Challenges of Human Trafficking Operations

01:53:58 Legal Hurdles and Policy Issues in NZ

02:19:57 Recognising the Signs of Trafficking

02:21:10 Labor Trafficking in New Zealand

02:24:14 Challenges in Victim Reporting

02:29:39 Global Perspective on Trafficking

02:30:38 Shield of the Children's Mission and Vision

02:51:43 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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