2023 Student-Faculty Fellows: Eckerd College

Sociocultural Impediments to Ending Child Sex Trafficking in Cambodia

Mentor: Nancy Janus, Human Development

Students: Simone Matsil, Riley Bloom, Alexis Wathen, and Marjorie Taishoff

Project Abstract The goal of our project was to understand what elements there are in Cambodian culture and in its history that may contribute to the difficulty it is having to end human trafficking. This project was an exercise in critical and analytical thinking from beginning to end. It is ongoing as we work together to create the final paper about all that we learned in Cambodia. I had numerous meetings with all four students together, as well as sessions with individual students. In those meetings, we analyzed how we were doing so far, and worked together to sort out how our findings were related to the problem of child sex. trafficking in Cambodia. Quite specifically, we examined the probable relationship between the genocide of 1975 through 1979. and Cambodian familial and interpersonal relationships today. It is often shocking to learn that Cambodian parents sometimes sell their daughters to sex traffickers, typically not knowing what their daughters will be doing, but it seemed important to learn whether the losses experienced during the genocide had created a level of family objectification. The students were required to be very familiar with the United States, state department, document, Trafficking in Persons Report. This report reviews how each country in the world is addressing the problem of human trafficking within the country. Each country is evaluated. Using a four tier model. Using international law, the United States government has established a set of minimum criteria to address the human trafficking problem. Each tier that is assigned. To a country is predicated on the extent to which the country is accomplishing that set of minimum standards. The students understood the distinctions between the four tiers and what is meant by the minimum standards. The tiers are: Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 2 Watch List, and Tier 3. As of June, 2022, Cambodia was dropped to tier 3. The students clearly understood that that means that Cambodia is inadequately making efforts to end human trafficking within the country.

Simone Matsil 
I have been exposed to many social and professional situations through this project that I would have never otherwise been exposed to. I have gained skills in communication both in person and through technology whether that be a phone call or email. I have learned how to be both professional and sympathetic to others’ situations. Learning how to define boundaries and understanding the importance of them within research has been another asset I have gained through this experience. Interacting with both locals directly affected by issues and NGOs working combat them has helped widen my perspective on how to help in different situations and environments. I have also gained skills in working with my fellow team members. In addition, I gained knowledge about working with deadlines and understanding their importance. Throughout this experience thus far I have learned the sheer importance of education on subjects that are glazed over or not fully understood by the public, NGOs, governments and those in positions of power. I have gained a greater understanding of the world, specifically Asia, throughout this process and plan to continue to learn and broaden my understanding on a global scale. Working alongside our team of students and Professor Janus has been an eye-opening experience I will continue to learn from them and continue to nurture my interest for human rights issues globally.

Riley Bloom 
Through our research, NGO visits and interviews, we recorded statistics, data and findings that helped us to better understand the inner workings of Cambodia. This trip was so incredible in the sense that we got to hear and see things one would not normally get to experience as a visitor from another country. Along with that, we made sure to have all our NGO’s and interviewees sign consent forms and assured they were also dated. As a group we wrote a research paper that talks about what we felt were the most important factors that led to human trafficking, along with ways to prevent human trafficking in Cambodia. My experience in Cambodia has only motivated me to continue researching the prevention of human trafficking. I don’t want to stop until the issue is resolved. I would like to continue traveling and working with the youth in Cambodia to understand and help in any way possible. My goal is to intern/work in Cambodia or any third world country where human trafficking is present, and gain knowledge and continue research there. I want to work and speak to kids about their experiences, so I would eventually like to get my PHD as that would allow me to work with kids who have been trafficked and have gone through traumatizing experiences. Overall, I want to learn about how I can spread awareness towards global issues such as human trafficking. I want to be an advocate or a spokeswoman for people struggling. I want to support positive change and help children living through the atrocity that is human trafficking.

Alexis Wathen 
Since taking part in this research trip, I have learned a great deal about how to professionally conduct interviews, how to develop better writing and presentation skills, and how to remain open and actively listen to the stories and experiences from people of different cultures and backgrounds. With the help of our professor, we have worked extensively on how to prepare compelling presentations, how to come up with thought provoking questions and talking points for interviews, and how to effectively relay information and data we collected. My time in Cambodia only inspired me to take a career working with at-risk youth further. I have since done more extensive online training in trauma-informed care, along with other modules regarding the care and professionalism needed to work with at-risk youth.

Marjorie Taishoff
I have learned so much in how to conduct research through this grant, and am beyond grateful for the direction it has turned my life in. I have learned in the research how next time, what I would leave the same and what I could change to have an even better outcome. There is improvement in everything, and though I felt this research went smoothly I know more questions I would ask, and  how I could make some parts of the research more streamlined. I have developed through this experience better intercultural communication, research, planning, data analysis, and travel habits. I can’t begin to explain the career motivation this trip has given me. The inspiration from my professor, her husband, my travel mates, and many of the NGO personnel we interviewed, has directed me on a path passionate in helping people stuck in the life of trafficking. I can see myself working at an NGO and eventually starting my own after I learn more about the inner-workings and background to the jobs.