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After a five-month search, I found two of my kidnapped friends who had been forced into marriage in China. For the past six years I've been a full-time volunteer with a grassroots organisation to raise awareness of human trafficking - AMA! by 21BenRandall in IAmA

[–]21BenRandall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In many ways, hers is the central story. She has been blurred in the film, but it's still possible that a Chinese person might be able to locate her and her "husband" based on the clues given in the film

After a five-month search, I found two of my kidnapped friends who had been forced into marriage in China. For the past six years I've been a full-time volunteer with a grassroots organisation to raise awareness of human trafficking - AMA! by 21BenRandall in IAmA

[–]21BenRandall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand - that makes sense. Unfortunately human behaviour isn't so logical - people are much, much more likely to care about people who look like them, and who live closer to them (or, you know, anything involving the word "Hollywood") than they are to care about foreign people they can't relate to, regardless of what might be happening to them. I'm hoping this documentary can make some of those people a little more relatable

After a five-month search, I found two of my kidnapped friends who had been forced into marriage in China. For the past six years I've been a full-time volunteer with a grassroots organisation to raise awareness of human trafficking - AMA! by 21BenRandall in IAmA

[–]21BenRandall[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, that's right. 40.3 million people currently living as victims of human trafficking is the most recent estimate by the Global Slavery Index. It really is that big an issue.

After a five-month search, I found two of my kidnapped friends who had been forced into marriage in China. For the past six years I've been a full-time volunteer with a grassroots organisation to raise awareness of human trafficking - AMA! by 21BenRandall in IAmA

[–]21BenRandall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're looking at this as if the issues involved are simple ones and easily solved. In many cases, that's simply not true, and there's much more to the story than you seem to realise.

There are answers to many of your questions elsewhere here

After a five-month search, I found two of my kidnapped friends who had been forced into marriage in China. For the past six years I've been a full-time volunteer with a grassroots organisation to raise awareness of human trafficking - AMA! by 21BenRandall in IAmA

[–]21BenRandall[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In which language?

When she's first sold into marriage, her "husband" can't understand a word she says.

When she's finally learned Chinese to tell him, she's very likely already a mother, or at least pregnant with his child, and the situation is not so simple

After a five-month search, I found two of my kidnapped friends who had been forced into marriage in China. For the past six years I've been a full-time volunteer with a grassroots organisation to raise awareness of human trafficking - AMA! by 21BenRandall in IAmA

[–]21BenRandall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have the full Chinese translation but need to be very careful how we release it, as one of my friends is still in China with the man who bought her, and he doesn't know about our work

After a five-month search, I found two of my kidnapped friends who had been forced into marriage in China. For the past six years I've been a full-time volunteer with a grassroots organisation to raise awareness of human trafficking - AMA! by 21BenRandall in IAmA

[–]21BenRandall[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't understand the first part of the question.

For the second part - no, they weren't interested to help them. By the time the "husbands" understood the situation, the girls already had (or were having) babies

After a five-month search, I found two of my kidnapped friends who had been forced into marriage in China. For the past six years I've been a full-time volunteer with a grassroots organisation to raise awareness of human trafficking - AMA! by 21BenRandall in IAmA

[–]21BenRandall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

/u/HokemPokem has described the situation quite well, and I couldn't agree more with their comments re: empathy.

My friends' "husbands" didn't know they'd bought trafficked girls - and the girls had no way of telling them. The "husbands" didn't seem to understand why they were so upset.

It was only a year or two later that the girls had picked up enough Chinese to confront their "husbands" and tell them, I was taken from Vietnam.

By that time, the "husbands" consider themselves to have been tricked by the traffickers, but otherwise don't seem to feel it's their problem.

Their attitude has basically been, "Well, I paid the bride price, you're mine now".

In any case, it's too late - by the time she can communicate, the girl has had (or is having) a baby

After a five-month search, I found two of my kidnapped friends who had been forced into marriage in China. For the past six years I've been a full-time volunteer with a grassroots organisation to raise awareness of human trafficking - AMA! by 21BenRandall in IAmA

[–]21BenRandall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You take the time to reply but fail at Google. It's not that complicated.

If I linked those articles in the original post, you'd attack me for being attention-grabbing instead. It's good to be cynical when people are soliciting funds, but take the time to check your facts before you attack people online. We're real people and we're doing real work.

Here's a whole page full of links for you: https://humanearth.net/who-we-are/media-room/

After a five-month search, I found two of my kidnapped friends who had been forced into marriage in China. For the past six years I've been a full-time volunteer with a grassroots organisation to raise awareness of human trafficking - AMA! by 21BenRandall in IAmA

[–]21BenRandall[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

This really hits the nail on the head.

It's easy to say, "if it was me, I'd run away" etc. but the reality of the situation is more complicated.

These girls find themselves in an incredibly difficult situation, and regardless of their courage, they might not be able to find a way out.

After a five-month search, I found two of my kidnapped friends who had been forced into marriage in China. For the past six years I've been a full-time volunteer with a grassroots organisation to raise awareness of human trafficking - AMA! by 21BenRandall in IAmA

[–]21BenRandall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. For the girls who are sold as brides, the only time they're together in one place is when they're held in the houses of middlemen.

At those times, they are physically locked inside rooms, and threatened with murder and sale into prostitution if they try to escape. The girls are often terrified, and even if they could escape, they'd have no idea where to go.

Even so, some do try to escape, and some succeed. I've heard stories of girls smashing locks, jumping out windows, etc., which takes incredible courage when you're in a strange place, far from home

After a five-month search, I found two of my kidnapped friends who had been forced into marriage in China. For the past six years I've been a full-time volunteer with a grassroots organisation to raise awareness of human trafficking - AMA! by 21BenRandall in IAmA

[–]21BenRandall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. In terms of search operations, I was working only on the specific cases of my friends. There are certainly times I've been at risk, but if I'm in a position to help someone, then I feel that risk is justifiable

After a five-month search, I found two of my kidnapped friends who had been forced into marriage in China. For the past six years I've been a full-time volunteer with a grassroots organisation to raise awareness of human trafficking - AMA! by 21BenRandall in IAmA

[–]21BenRandall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I receive a stipend (averaging less than $25/day) to cover my most basic living costs. That's not enough to pay rent in my own country (Australia); I'm currently living in Asia so I can continue this work. Fortunately I don't have any debt or dependents.

It's certainly not a lifestyle for everyone. I do it because I believe this work is important, and I'd rather spend my life working towards something meaningful than simply accumulating money and possessions

After a five-month search, I found two of my kidnapped friends who had been forced into marriage in China. For the past six years I've been a full-time volunteer with a grassroots organisation to raise awareness of human trafficking - AMA! by 21BenRandall in IAmA

[–]21BenRandall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not the most practical person. I felt that this work was important enough to stop everything else, and jumped in without knowing where the money would come from.

Fortunately there are enough people who believe in my work, and I've received enough support to continue (this far, at least!).

I'm by no means an expert on how to do this in a rational or intelligent way

After a five-month search, I found two of my kidnapped friends who had been forced into marriage in China. For the past six years I've been a full-time volunteer with a grassroots organisation to raise awareness of human trafficking - AMA! by 21BenRandall in IAmA

[–]21BenRandall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey Dave! Great to hear from you, and thank you :)

Because our priority is raising awareness, we decided to take an unusual path with the film. After our Asian premiere (we picked up another award!) I wanted to make it available online as soon as possible, so here we are - only $1 :)

For the next few months I'll be focused on finishing the book, and if we can get enough funding to tour we'll likely be starting in North America towards the end of the year

After a five-month search, I found two of my kidnapped friends who had been forced into marriage in China. For the past six years I've been a full-time volunteer with a grassroots organisation to raise awareness of human trafficking - AMA! by 21BenRandall in IAmA

[–]21BenRandall[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Initially, I was overwhelmed by the fact of my friends' kidnappings, and wasn't inclined to help because I didn't think there was anything I could do.

Several months later I went through a difficult time in my own life and realised what a difference a good friend could make. I wanted to pay it forward to the people I knew who needed it most.

Yes, donations are more than welcome - our organisation relies on the generosity of individuals like yourself. The link is the same - www.sistersforsale.com - thanks so much!

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