In 2019, Asia’s Red Oak Hope got a call about two young girls, Nuo* and Xie*. At the young ages of 12 and 15, Nuo and Xie were being chronically trafficked and exploited in their small village. Living in extreme poverty, their father did his best to provide for the girls, working long hours as a street sweeper to make ends meet. However, working those long hours meant leaving his children unschooled, unsupervised, and highly vulnerable.
Nuo and Xie needed schooling and supervision to keep them safe and help them develop skills for long-term sustainability. Red Oak Hope was immediately able to refer them to a reputable boarding school where they have made incredible progress over the last 3 years. The oldest, Xie, is now 18 and attends school while holding part-time employment!
However, during a week off of school at home last year, Nuo went missing. Red Oak Hope’s team worked with law enforcement and found Nuo locked in a man’s apartment where she was once again being exploited and abused. Through advocacy and legal services, they were able to ensure that the buyer and two traffickers were arrested and are currently being prosecuted for rape and human trafficking.
Nuo and Xie’s stories represent the heartbreaking reality that many survivors face: complex challenges, repeated trauma, and no simple solutions. Through it all, Red Oak Hope is committed to walking alongside exploited women and their families, helping trafficked women navigate failing social systems while doing everything they can to ensure safety and stability.
Learn more about Red Oak Hope’s work to bring freedom, hope, and restoration to survivors of sexual exploitation through immediate aid combined with long-term development to support both individuals and communities worldwide.
*names have been changed.
