A Sunshine Coast-based organisation on a mission to rescue children from global sex trafficking and exploitation has gained invaluable support from an Australian icon.
Dami Im, who found fame on The X Factor and gained international recognition after earning second place representing Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest, has joined Destiny Rescue as an ambassador.
The South Korea-born songstress said she signed on after hearing appalling statistics about horrors inflicted on children across the world.
“Child sex trafficking is the world’s fastest-growing crisis and over one million children, some as young as two years old, are exploited, abused and molested by sex trafficking globally,” she said.
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“I’ve learnt that 70 per cent of trafficked children are from the Asia-Pacific region and I am also aware of how many Australian men travel to Asia for sex tourism. This is just heartbreaking and it reinforces to me that Australia is a major contributor to this global issue.”
Im said she had supported a number of charity organisations over the past 10 years and was inspired by Destiny Rescue’s work through her friendship with CEO Paul Mergard.
“I admire and respect that Destiny Rescue’s agents go into places that most organisations won’t to ensure these children are released safely before getting them on a pathway to freedom and a better life,” she said.
In many cases, Destiny Rescue’s team works with local law enforcement agencies to not only rescue the children but also arrest the perpetrators and shut down offending venues.
“I want to support those rescue efforts and I believe my voice and profile can help shine the spotlight on this global scourge to see more and more children freed,” Im said.
Mr Mergard said the organisation was thrilled to have Im onboard as an ambassador and together they have important plans for the future.
“We have some really large projects and missions in the works this year and having Dami’s support and projected voice to share our message around the ongoing sexual exploitation of children is going to be life-changing for so many,” he said.
“Dami has an incredible following since she shot to fame a decade ago. I am sure she will help amplify our message to a much wider audience, including the hugely popular ‘Dami Army’ who support her in every way possible.”
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Mr Mergard said the ambassadorship came at the perfect time as Destiny Rescue proposes a partnership with the Australian Government.
“We need the federal government’s support to raise awareness of the harms caused by Australians in the child sex industry overseas and empower our community to take a hard stand against it,” he said.
Since Destiny Rescue was first established in 2001, the charity has rescued more than 11,000 children from the sex trade around the world.
“$99 billion is generated by sex traffickers globally each year – that’s $11 million every hour. It’s a massive issue and through the partnerships with Australian mums and dads, as well as businesses and corporations, we are able to continue our work and change lives,” he said.
Mr Mergard is calling on Australians to help Destiny Rescue reach its rescue targets each year.
“On average it costs us $1800 to rescue a child and get them onto a pathway to freedom. This includes executing a rescue, providing training, counselling and reintegration to break the cycle of abuse,” he said.
“We rescue the sexually exploited and enslaved, restore the abused, protect the vulnerable, empower the poor and are a voice for the voiceless but we need help to continue the fight,” he said.
For more information or to become a Rescue Partner visit www.destinyrescue.org.
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