Long Pross was kidnapped from her village in Cambodia when she was thirteen years old. She was trafficked to Pinam Pin and forced into years of prostitution and torture.
She told Nicholas D. Kristof, a columnist for New York Times, that when she resisted, the brothel owner would bring her to the dungeon and electrocute her. And when Long Pross would argue too much, she got electrocuted two times. They would wet her shirt, tie her up and put a live wire inside of her. Kristof heard of the dungeons under the brothel before, but never thought they were real, so Cina Van, an ex victim, brought him to a brothel that had been torn down.
Long Pross’s virginity was sold four times and you’re probably thinking, “I thought we’re only virgins once!?” Imagine this, she was stitched THREE TIMES! These victims are NOT PAID, are NOT allowed to ask for condoms and forced to get abortions. Long Pross got pregnant twice and did not get her second abortion till she was four months. She was in so much pain that she broke the code and begged for time to rest. The brothel owner got mad and stabbed her left eye with a metal piece and discarded her because she was of no value anymore.
This interview took place on January 4, 2009, which shows how recent and real human trafficking is. Human traffickers have no sympathy and feel no shame in torturing these young girls. How can human beings be so cruel and gouge someone’s eye out? It was painful for Long Pross to think back, but shared her story hoping it would awaken others. The Somaly Mam Foundation took her in and is trying to help her get a glass eye. She is doing well now –taking classes and hoping to become a seamstress.
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/01/03/opinion/1194837193498/the-face-of-slavery.html
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Blog Post 4
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I can't imagine what hardships these girls go through. When stories like these are told it is like a reality check. The abuses that these girls endure, not only damage and scar them physically but the emotional and mental impact must be agonizing. It is amazing how evil humans can be to each other.
ReplyDeleteThis blog post is really interesting. I had no idea that there were dungeons associated with these brothels and that stitching like this actually occurred. What happened to Pross is truly sad but I am glad that there are organizations such as the Somaly Mam Foundation around to help these victims deal with what has happened to them and get on with their lives.
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