Human rights activist Somaly Mam knows first-hand what it's like to be sold into slavery.
For the last 19 years she has dedicated her life to helping others escape a life of sexual servitude, rescuing girls as young as six years old from brothels in Cambodia.
“You feel dead inside. Then you survive,” she says of her ordeal.
Four years ago, Somaly wrote a book about her years of enforced sexual labour. She was raped, tortured and made to watch as her best friend was murdered.
Her story, which she said she had to tape because it was too painful to dwell over, helped spread the word about Cambodian's human trafficking problem.
Australian woman Stephanie Lorenzo was among those who drew inspiration from Somaly's powerful words.
“I was really overwhelmed and touched, but also angry -- 100 emotions went through me about what I read in this book and I just wanted to do something about it,” she says.
Ms Lorenzo channelled her newfound passion and started Project Futures, a not-for-profit organisation based in Sydney.
“We raise awareness and funding to support anti-trafficking projects that we believe are in need of support,” she says.
Money raised by Project Futures goes directly to organisations working with trafficked women and girls: The Somaly Mam foundation in Cambodia, the Salvation Army safe house for trafficked women in Sydney and Child Wise in Melbourne.
Somaly Mam is currently in Australia for a 10-day tour to support Project Futures and help further raise awareness of human trafficking. Click here for a full list of public events.
