Ep. 9 - I Sold My House and Moved to Cambodia to Fight Child Sex Trafficking | Don Brewster & Benjamin Nolot
May 9, 2023
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Don Brewster and Benjamin Nolot discuss their fight against child sex trafficking in Cambodia, including the challenges they faced, the successful rescues they've made, and the need for action. They also address the role of faith and the transformative power of love and identity in the lives of survivors.
Pornography fuels the demand for exploited children in Cambodia, emphasizing the need for awareness and action.
Restoration and love are paramount in the lives of survivors, providing a safe space to heal and find purpose.
The church has a crucial role in combating trafficking, using their influence to raise awareness and actively address issues such as pornography.
Deep dives
Creating a SWAT team and the fight against trafficking
Don Brewster shares his journey of starting a SWAT team to combat trafficking in Cambodia. Despite initial challenges, the team has gone on to conduct successful raids and rescue over 1,800 girls, making a significant impact in the fight against trafficking.
The intersection of pornography and child trafficking
Don emphasizes the alarming connection between pornography and child trafficking in Cambodia. With over 200 producers and distributors of child pornography in the country, pornography plays a significant role in grooming and fueling the demand for exploited children. Don highlights the need for awareness and action, urging societies, including faith communities, to address the issue and protect vulnerable children.
Restoration and the power of love
Don shares the importance of restoration and love in the lives of survivors. Through aftercare programs, girls are provided with a safe space to heal from their trauma. The dedicated staff pour out unconditional love and support, helping the girls rebuild their lives and find purpose beyond their past experiences. Don emphasizes the crucial role of faith in sustaining the work and providing a source of strength and love.
The role of faith in driving and sustaining the fight against trafficking
Don discusses how his faith in God has led him to dedicate his life to combating trafficking. His understanding of Christianity prioritizes love and compassion, focusing on the mission to protect and love others, rather than judgment or proselytizing. Don highlights the need for the church to actively address issues such as pornography and trafficking, using their influence to raise awareness and bring about positive change.
From rescued to rescuer: transformation and hope
Don shares stories of survivors who have transitioned from being rescued to becoming integral parts of the fight against trafficking. Through empowerment and support, some girls have joined the SWAT team as investigators, successfully conducting operations that lead to the rescue of other victims. Their resilience and courage inspire others and demonstrate the power of restoration and transformation.
Join us as Exodus Cry Founder, Benjamin Nolot, talks with Don Brewster, Co-Founder of Agape International Missions (AIM), to discuss why he sold his house and moved to Cambodia to fight child sex trafficking. Don and AIM’s work were featured prominently in Exodus Cry’s award-winning film, Nefarious: Merchant of Souls, which reached millions of viewers worldwide, and this led to exponential growth of AIM’s anti-trafficking work. Cambodia has become notorious as thousands of tourists, often from the US, flock to the country to buy children for sex. Don was on a mission trip to Cambodia when he learned about girls being sold in the storefronts and this marked the beginning of his life-long fight against child trafficking. As they became immersed in the Cambodian community, Don and his wife Bridget began to receive intel on some of the trafficking rings. Yet, each time intel was passed to the police, the traffickers were tipped off and they escaped. After meeting with a government official in Cambodia, AIM received approval to create a SWAT team to assist in arresting traffickers and rescuing women and children. Since its inception, AIM has rescued over 1,600 survivors and assisted in the arrest of over 500 traffickers in Cambodia. LINKS: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7h6K1rUqBviPAcEXPWg4Sh Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-exodus-cry-podcast/id1171898654?uo=4 Watch our films: www.exoduscry.com/watch Give & fuel the fight: www.exoduscry.com/donate Get involved: www.exoduscry.com/getinvolved Website: www.exoduscry.com Podcast: www.exoduscry.com/podcast Articles: www.exoduscry.com/articles SOCIALS: Youtube: www.youtube.com/exoduscry Instagram: www.instagram.com/exoduscry TikTok: www.tiktok.com/exoduscry Twitter: www.twitter.com/exoduscry Facebook: www.facebook.com/exoduscry Exodus Cry is a leading global anti-trafficking nonprofit organization focused on ending widespread sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, exposing this injustice for millions worldwide, and helping its victims to rebuild their lives.
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