Minea’s Story

“I fight for justice and to prevent other young women from becoming victims of human trafficking like me. It takes time, but it is worth it. Now I get justice. My sincere thanks to the Hagar team for supporting me. Without your support, I would not have been able to get justice and become the strong, confident woman I am today. I have my life back and I have hope for my new life.”

22-year-old Minea was born into poverty in Phnom Penh. When she was a child, Minea’s parents got divorced. Her mother was as a cleaner at a construction company, until her health deteriorated. Her elder sister works in a garment factory to support the family. In grade 7, Minea quit studying to work at a garment factory like her older sister.

In June 2018, Minea was tricked into marrying a rich Chinese man by broker Ly Sav Fong who had promised her family USD $3, 000 for a dowry. In China, she was sold three times to three Chinsese men and their families. Each one treated her as slave and forced her to have sex with them. She was not allowed to go out, did not have enough food to eat and they abused her every time she could not follow their instructions. One day, she escaped and was arrested by police who sent her to a detention center for more than four months as an illegal immigrant. The Cambodian Embassy intervened and Minea returned to Cambodia on 18 April 2021 with nothing on her person. She was referred to Hagar for supporting services by the Ministry of Social Affairs.

After 14 days of quarantine with two other survivors with similar experiences to her, Hagar welcomed her to the “Home of Love” where she received a warm welcome from the Hagar foster mother. While there, Minea has gained trust and formed healthy relationships with the women. She felt safe, warm and love for her foster mother.

“The foster mother at the Home of Love is like my second mother. She gave me love and care for me. And I love her. For a long time I lost my hope, trust, and love, and now I feels them.”

Hagar staff bought her to clinic for health checkup and treatment, and supported her with all urgent needs as her belonging was taken away while she was arrested in China. At the same time Hagar helped looking for her family and connect them with her. She was very happy to be connected with her family while living in the care of Hagar and Home of Love mother.

In collaboration with Ministry of Social Affairs and local authorities, Minea was reintegrated home on 19th May, 2021. Her mother was very happy to have her daughter back as she thought her daughter might die in China and she would never see her daughter again. The family thankful to Hagar for helping Minea back home safely.

Her mother was worried about Minea for years since she left to China which has been affected her physical and mental health until now. Hagar has helped to send her mother to mental health hospital for treatment. Through trauma healing, Minea become a strong person who wanted to see justice and commitment to her future.

The Hagar Cambodia legal team supported her to file a complaint to a broker who sold her several times in China. In September 2021, the complaint was filed in court. She was always looking for a broker to find out where she is going and to show the police where the brokers are staying.

“My life was dark and painful. They treated me as slave or not a human being. I don’t want to see other young women become a victim like me. I am willing to share my story to prevent human trafficking in the community with Hagar if I can be in need. I hope the broker shall be in jail so that she will not has a chance to sell other women and girls again. Thanks for your supports and give my back hope and to fight for a better future life.”

On July 2022, the broker was arrested not only on charges of being a trafficker but also a drug dealer. The Hagar legal team supported her to prepare for the trial and help me to be strong in court. On 5 January 2023, the Hagar Lawyer defended the victim at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court Trial. The verdict was announced on 19 January 2023. Ly Sav Fong was sentenced to seven years in prison while the other perpetrator, Bon Sreyleak, was sentenced to 10 years.

“My mother and sister are very happy that I got justice. Words cannot describe how I feel and to thanks Hagar for supporting us. I wish the perpetrators arrested and send to jail. I have been waiting and now my dream has come true. I get justice and I believe they will not have a chance to hurt other young women again.”

“Since the perpetrators are in prison, I now feel safe and in peace. I will build my new life, a life that I hope will be better. I have learned, and I going to work as Chinese translator. I am committed to help other women when Hagar needs me. Thank you very much Hagar for all your support.”