Somaly Mam, born to a tribal community in rural Cambodia, does not know her real age or her real name. Growing up in poverty, she was sold into sexual slavery as a child by a man that claimed to be her grandfather. Somaly was held captive alongside other women and girls in one of the many brothels in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, where she experienced years of brutal torture and rape.

She managed to escape, but was unable to forget her experiences and was determined to help those she left behind. Somaly began by helping to rescue survivors and providing accommodation for them in her home. In 1996 she established AFESIP (Acting for Women in Distressing Situations) and has since expanded her vision and mission. AFESIP now provides healing and empowerment to women and girls, and through education and skills training, gives survivors the economic and emotional strength to rebuild their lives. To date, Somaly Mam’s efforts have helped 7,000 women and girls in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos exit the sex industry. 

In 2007, Somaly Mam co-founded the Somaly Mam Foundation, which is a funding vehicle that supports AFESIP Cambodia and also provides survivors with a platform from which their voices can be heard around the world.

Read more about Somaly here.