38years old, social activist - Cambodia
When Somaly Mam was 10, she was sold to a travelling trader, whom she called-"grandfather". She had to cook and
clean for him and if he was drunk, endure his beatings. Then at the age of 14, the grandfather, forced her to
marry a soldier, who beat and raped her. When her husband did not return from war, the "grandfather" sold her to a
brothel in Phnom Pehn when she was 16. She spent 6 tormenting years in different brothels where she and other girls
were physically and mentally abused.
BE aware, this sex trade victim, who never saw her parents is spearheading the battle against sex trafficking in
Cambodia. Her work was never easy that her 14year old daughter was kidnapped, raped and sold to a brothel two years
ago by those who were infuriated by her work.
For her relentless fight to create a world without slavery, she was recognized by German based Roland Berger
Foundation and given the Human Dignity Award last December 4, 2008.
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