Stories

1. To conduct a rapid community-based assessment of adolescent psychosocial needs, trauma patterns, gender-specific vulnerabilities, protection risks, and existing support mechanisms.
2. To recruit and train approximately 50 community-based mental support workers from refugee/displaced communities, schools, youth groups, women’s groups, and local partner organizations.
3. To deliver approximately 20 psychosocial resilience and peacebuilding workshops for adolescents aged 14 to 18.
4. To establish basic referral and safeguarding pathways for adolescents experiencing serious distress, abuse, exploitation risk, or protection concerns.
5. To identify four to five promising trainees and support their advanced short-course or certificate-level study in psychosocial support, community mental health, counselling, youth protection, or peacebuilding-related practice in Thailand.

• Conflict, displacement, trauma, and adolescent wellbeing
• Psychological first aid
• Safe listening and non-judgmental communication
• Youth grievance, frustration, and vulnerability to harmful recruitment
• Gender-sensitive support for girls and young women
• Online scam, trafficking, and exploitation awareness
• Peacebuilding, non-violence, trust-building, and social cohesion
• Safeguarding, confidentiality, and referral pathways
• Workshop facilitation skills

1. A rapid needs assessment completed and shared with Rotary and local partners.
2. Approximately 50 community-based mental support workers trained.
3. Approximately 20 adolescent workshops delivered in the Mae Sot refugee/displacement context.
4. Improved adolescent awareness of trauma, coping, online risks, recruitment risks, exploitation, and help-seeking.
5. Improved gender-sensitive support for adolescent girls and young women.
6. A basic referral and safeguarding mechanism established.
7. Four to five promising trainees enrolled in advanced psychosocial support or peacebuilding-related training.
8. A replicable model created for community-based psychosocial peacebuilding support in conflict-displacement settings.

1. Visit the artists online and choose the art you wish to purchase.
2. Contact the artist who will fulfill the order and provide payment information
3. The artist will donate 50% of the net proceeds to SEATECT.

Bangkok Bank

Pratu Chang Phuak Branch

125 Chang phuak Rd, T.Sriphum A. Muang

Chiangmai 50300 Thailand

Swift Code:  BKKBTHBK  

Account Number: 390-4-85760-8

Name on Account: PONGSAWART NIYOMCA & GERALD EDWARD NELSON

• Identify early signs of trafficking and exploitation within vulnerable households and communities.
• Report and refer cases through community-based referral mechanisms (CBRRM) to ensure timely support.
• Raise awareness on trafficking risks, safe migration, and online exploitation.
• Connect vulnerable individuals with services, including assistance with documentation, protection, and livelihood or reintegration support.
• Strengthen coordination between communities, local authorities, and civil society to improve prevention and response systems.

• Conduct community awareness sessions on trafficking risks, safe practices, and available protection services.
• Support mentoring and peer education by Hero teams for return migrants, vulnerable households, and high-risk children and youth.
• Facilitate access to relevant services, including documentation, protection mechanisms, livelihood and reintegration support.
• Hold annual reflection workshops with vulnerable groups and Hero teams to share experiences and plan next steps.

• Train Hero teams and local authorities on risk detection, reporting and referral, community engagement, and child protection.
• Organize regular coordination meetings with local authorities, CSOs, and other stakeholders to strengthen community-level prevention systems.
• Conduct periodic refresher and capacity-building sessions for Hero teams to maintain effective awareness, reporting, and response skills.
• Engage Hero representatives in multi-level dialogues with government and partners to improve coordination and accountability.

• Hero teams as enduring mechanisms: Multi-stakeholder Hero teams at the district level, with clear roles and training, provide a sustainable network of focal points to detect, report, and respond to trafficking and exploitation beyond the project period.
• Community knowledge and behaviour change: Awareness-raising sessions and peer mentoring equip return migrants, high-risk youth, and vulnerable households with the knowledge and skills to identify risks, seek support, and engage safely, fostering a culture of vigilance and self-protection.
• Strengthened coordination and linkages: Regular engagement between Hero teams, local authorities, schools, CSOs, and other stakeholders reinforces community-level prevention systems and maintains formalized referral pathways.
• Ongoing training and peer education: Trained Hero members continue mentoring peers and community members, ensuring knowledge and skills are sustained and adapted over time.

• Active Members (12):
  • Active Rotarian, Rotary Peace Fellow or Rotaractor
  • Member of RAGAS, RAGFP or BELRAG
  • Actively involved in SEATACT

• Supporting Members (16):
  • Active Rotarian, Rotary Peace Fellow or Rotaractor
  • Member of RAGAS, RAGFP or BELRAG.
  • In Southeast Asia but is not active in SEATACT

• Advisors (3):
  • Senior personnel who we can turn to for advice and guidance

• Active Volunteers: (4);
  • People who are active in SEATACT activities

• Part Time Staff (1):
  • Assists with the website, bulletin, translations, etc.

The International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP), conducted a four-day Victim-Centered Interviewing (VCI) training for members of the Indonesian National Police from 2–5 March 2026 in Jakarta. The program brought together investigators from cybercrime units, Women and Children Protection (PPA) units, and national police training institutions to strengthen investigative practices involving victims of child sexual abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and other forms of gender-based violence. The training emphasized trauma-informed investigative approaches, ethical interviewing techniques, and the importance of protecting victims’ dignity and psychological well-being during investigations. Sessions addressed emerging online exploitation trends, legal frameworks governing child protection, trauma impacts on victims, evidentiary processes, and multi-agency cooperation mechanisms necessary to effectively investigate and prosecute crimes involving child sexual exploitation and abuse. 

International expert Lance Lueck, representing the Southeast Asia Team Eliminating Child Trafficking (SEATECT) and Rotary Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS), delivered three instructional sessions focused on victim identification, a critical early step in trafficking and child exploitation investigations. The sessions addressed the importance of rapid and accurate identification of victims, practical indicators used to recognize victims of child sexual abuse and trafficking, and the distinctions between behavioral, emotional, and physical indicators investigators may encounter. Participants also discussed the challenge that many victims do not initially self-identify during police encounters and examined practical approaches for recognizing those indicators in real investigative situations. The instruction included a case-study-based discussion in which participants shared examples from their own experience and applied victim identification concepts to strengthen investigative awareness and practice.

• Rotary is the world’s best organization to prevent human trafficking. There are Rotary Action Groups which focus on specific areas of focus. 
• Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAGFP) is amazing.  Their collaboration efforts are amazing! The last week of February brought us the Partnering for Peace webinars.
• Rotary Action Group Against Slavery offers a great Community Action Prevention Education program.
• Southeast Asia Team Eliminating Child Trafficking is my real Rotary home.
• Rotary Club to End Human Trafficking We are an international network of Rotarians and our mission is to end the humanitarian crisis of human trafficking by working with others around the world.** 
• Rotary Club of Chiang Mai Wattana.  We are becoming the first cause-based club to fight human trafficking in Thailand.**

1. ACTIVE MEMBERS: (13)
   • Actively involved in SEATECT
   • Active Rotarian, Rotary Peace Fellow or Rotaractor
   • Member of RAGAS, RAGFP or BELRAG
2. ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS: (4)
   • Actively involved in SEATECT
3. ADVISORS: (3)
   • Senior people who have agreed to render advice if asked.
4. PART TIME STAFF (1)
   • Assists with the website, bulletin, translations, etc.
5. SUPPORTING MEMBERS: (16)
   • Active Rotarian, Rotary Peace Fellow or Rotaractor
   • Member of RAGAS
6. • People who have expressed an interest in what we do and are supportive.

• Quorum for regular meetings should be defined as 51% of active members and volunteers.
• Team decisions made by email and/or in the SEATECT Management Line group require a quorum of at least 6 active members/volunteers. The current list of active members is above.
• For email approvals request should indicate a response is required not later than (appropriate date) and should indicate that non-response will be taken as concurrence.
• Electronic motions and their results should be included in the minutes of the next team meeting.
• To ensure maximum receipt, notice of such emails should be posted in the SEATECT Management Line group.

• Ending Human Trafficking will require a well-organized approach against a well-organized infrastructure of traffickers.
• Human Trafficking is preventable through education, legislation, and advocacy.
• We believe that most of our efforts should be in the arena of prevention, especially the prevention of child trafficking.
• Rotary is uniquely positioned to end human trafficking through its ability to pull organizations together for a common humanitarian cause.
• Southeast Asia Team Eliminating Child Trafficking (SEATECT) can effectively engage local communities to end human trafficking in our communities.
• Partnering with other organizations increases our capacity to end human trafficking / modern slavery in our communities. (All Rotary Clubs in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar are in Thailand Rotary Districts 3330, 3340, 3350, 3360)

• The Mekong Region consists of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

• Mainland Southeast Asia is made up of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the western or peninsular portion of Malaysia. Island Southeast Asia includes the nations: Brunei, the eastern or island portion of Malaysia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore.  

1. To prevent and stop human trafficking, by educating every child in Southeast Asia, beginning with Thailand and then The Mekong region about the dangers of human trafficking.
2. Increase awareness among communities about human trafficking, especially within the Rotary community.

• To achieve our goals, we will establish strong working relations with non-government organizations and institutions involved in human trafficking awareness and prevention. We will not be involved in rescue operations and post trafficking rehabilitation.
• Our collaboration will involve linking up Rotary clubs mainly from Thailand, but also from outside Thailand, with trafficking prevention organizations and institutions in Thailand and the Mekong region, to jointly develop trafficking prevention community projects.
• Trafficking prevention community projects could be initiated by prevention organizations and institutions, or by Rotary Clubs. Our awareness activities will help Rotary Clubs understand the importance of human trafficking prevention.
• One of our priorities will also be to involve Rotaract clubs in the collaboration with human trafficking prevention organizations and institutions.
• Based on a set of criteria, a list of collaborating organizations and institutions will progressively be developed.
• Finally, at the international Rotary level, SEATECT will maintain working relations with the Rotary Action Group against Slavery (RAGAS), Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAGFP) and Basic Education and Literacy Rotary Action Group (BELRAG).

• Our main objective and activity will be human trafficking prevention, mainly targeting young people between 5-20 years old, from at risk areas.
• For this purpose, we will help develop together with Rotary clubs and collaborating non-government organizations, human trafficking awareness and prevention community projects, mainly financed by Rotary Clubs.
• Community projects will target principally schools, youth centers, at risk communities, and communities of parents. Projects can be initiated by collaborating organizations and institutions or by Rotary clubs.
• Success will be measured by the number of trafficking prevention community projects implemented within any Rotary Year.

• SEATECT will develop awareness programs targeting mainly Rotary clubs in Thailand and the Mekong region, so as to make them aware of the dangers of human trafficking and encourage them to support human trafficking prevention projects.
• SEATECT will also use presentations and social media as well as other means to raise awareness.
• Awareness initiatives must be clearly targeted at the right audience i.e. communities at risk or supportive Rotary clubs
• Rotary and Rotaract clubs will be the main target of the SEATECT awareness program.

• To finance the above-mentioned focus points, we aim to raise funds via awareness events and direct contributions from members and friends.

• SEATECT will be led by a mixed team of Rotarians, both locals and foreigners.
• SEATECT must be very sensitive to the cultural context in Thailand and the Mekong region.
• Most human trafficking prevention and awareness material will be developed in the Thai language and other regional languages as needed.
• SEATECT must make sure its prevention community projects, and awareness programs are appropriately targeted.
• A two-year rolling implementation plan with concrete objectives will be developed during the first month of each Rotary year.
• SEATECT will maintain a website where the latest information is uploaded. The pages will be in English and Thai languages.
• A database of possible collaborating non-government organizations will progressively be built.

Projects  Account

Bangkok Bank

Pratu Chang Phuak Branch

125 Chang phuak Rd, T.Sriphum A. Muang

Chiangmai 50300 Thailand

Swift Code:  BKKBTHBK  

Account Number: 390-4-85760-8

Name on Account: PONGSAWART NIYOMCA & GERALD EDWARD NELSON

You may earmark your donation to support the training conducted through the Peace Culture Foundation or the Rotary Club of Chiang Mai Wattana or any of the SEATECT Human Trafficking Awareness Events.

วันเด็กแห่งชาติ

วันเด็กสากล จะจัดขึ้นในวันเสาร์ที่ 10 มกราคม ซึ่งเป็นโอกาสที่ดีในการสร้างความตระหนักรู้เกี่ยวกับอันตรายของการค้ามนุษย์ โดยเฉพาะในเด็ก
SEATECT จะเป็นผู้สนับสนุนกิจกรรม 2 งาน ดังนี้:

10 มกราคม ที่สวนสาธารณะหนองบวกหาด จังหวัดเชียงใหม่

งานนี้จะเน้นกิจกรรมสำหรับเด็กและเยาวชน
รายละเอียดเพิ่มเติมกำลังอยู่ระหว่างการจัดทำ

จะมีหลายซุ้มกิจกรรมให้เด็ก ๆ ได้… (รอรายละเอียดเพิ่มเติม)

กำหนดการประจำวัน

จะมีประกาศเพิ่มเติมเร็ว ๆ นี้
โปรดเก็บวันไว้ในปฏิทิน!

การจับฉลากของรางวัล (Lucky Draw)

สามารถซื้อตั๋วออนไลน์ได้ที่
https://seatect.org/stories/11Jan26

รายการของรางวัลที่เพิ่มขึ้นเรื่อย ๆ ได้แก่:

• Gift Certificate จาก Fashion King จังหวัดเชียงใหม่ (รายละเอียดเร็ว ๆ นี้)

• ภาพวาด Horse Running Free โดย Myanmar Rose

• ภาพถ่าย Hanuman Gujarat โดยช่างภาพ John Hulme

• เค้กตามที่ผู้ชนะเลือกจากร้าน Butter is Better – จำนวน 2 รางวัล

• หนังสือ Awakening the Advocate Within โดย Matthew S. Friedman (บริจาคโดย SEATECT)

• หนังสือ A Long Road to Justice โดย Sylvia Yu Friedman (บริจาคโดย SEATECT)

เราคาดว่าจะมีของรางวัลจับฉลากเพิ่มเข้ามาอีกเร็ว ๆ นี้
ติดตามข่าวสารกันนะคะ 🙂

• Are there situations where I place profit before the protection of children?
• Are there times when something should be done but I find an excuse to avoid?
• Does my organization have policies / rules in place that interfere with the task of protecting the children we are supposed to serve.
• If the all-knowing universe were to write a review of my efforts to eliminate child trafficking, would I be happy for my your friends, family and colleagues to read it?
• Have I read Matt Friedman’s very powerful book “Where were you? – A Profile of Modern Slavery” If yes, how did it make me feel? If no, why not?
• Today, what will I do to help prevent child human trafficking?

Projects  Account

Bangkok Bank

Pratu Chang Phuak Branch

125 Chang phuak Rd, T.Sriphum A. Muang

Chiangmai 50300 Thailand

Swift Code:  BKKBTHBK  

Account Number: 390-4-85760-8

Name on Account: PONGSAWART NIYOMCA & GERALD EDWARD NELSON

You may earmark your donation to support the training conducted through the Peace Culture Foundation or the Rotary Club of Chiang Mai Wattana. 

1. Operations Account, Bank of Bangkok account 531-0-93289-1, Gerald Edward Nelson & Pongsawart Niyomca
2. Projects Account, Bank of Bangkok account 390-4-85760-8, Pongsawart Niyomca & Gerald Edward Nelson

• The coordinator has the discretion to spend up to 3,000 without prior approval.
• The financial oversight team can authorize expenditures up to 5,000
• Expenditures over 5,000 must be approved by the team.

• Active Members (11):
  • Active Rotarian, Rotary Peace Fellow or  Rotaractor
  • Member of RAGAS
  • Actively involved in TRAGAST
• Supporting Members (20):
  • Active Rotarian, Rotary Peace Fellow or Rotaractor
  • Member of RAGAS.
  • In Thailand but does not participate in TRAGAST activities
• Advisors (3):
  • Senior personal who we can turn to for advice and guidance.
• Active Volunteers: (5);
  • People who are active in TRAGAST activities
• Part Time Staff (1):
  • Assists with website, bulletin, translations, etc.
• Friends: (70+-):
  • People who have expressed interest in what we do and are supportive.

As we step into 2025, the Peace Culture Foundation (PCF) remains committed to protecting children and youth from all forms of violence. Over the past few months, we’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with multiple sectors, allowing us to expand our reach into diverse communities. We are especially encouraged to see increasing awareness of child and youth sexual violence prevention, particularly the issue of grooming.

In December 2024, PCF hosted an online training session for parents, guardians, and caregivers titled "Digital Parenting: Navigating Online Sexual Risks in the Digital Age." This session aimed to raise awareness about the growing severity of online child sexual exploitation, highlighting the sophisticated tactics used to target children. Participants overwhelmingly expressed that this information is crucial for all caregivers to understand in order to effectively protect their children. We’ve also made the training available for those who couldn’t attend live. You can watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/aMN4mLLrqiI.

In January 2025, we had the privilege of traveling to Bangkok, supported by the Department of Women's Affairs and Family Development under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. We served as speakers at a workshop focused on implementing measures to prevent and address sexual harassment and abuse. Dr. Sombat Tapanya led a key discussion on “Sexual Harassment and Abuse: The Hidden Threat in Sports,” alongside clinical psychologist and PCF volunteer Suphatree Laohaviraphap. This collaboration marks the beginning of our efforts to strengthen sexual violence prevention in youth sports—a pressing global issue that demands attention and action.

 

           This February, we hosted another Digital Parenting workshop, this time in-person at Renshinkan Dojo. The session received great feedback from parents and caregivers who attended. Later this month, we are also honored to observe a training workshop led by The Exodus Road on preventing child trafficking. This will be an invaluable opportunity to learn best practices and explore potential collaborations to enhance the effectiveness of our work.

Looking ahead, we are determined to keep driving preventive efforts forward—working with children, youth, parents, and multidisciplinary professionals. Our focus remains on building awareness through activities designed by psychologists, staying true to our mission of fostering a safer future for all.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

                                         

• We all need to understand the myths behind sex trafficking.
• Not all but many of the victims are children and TRAGAST is here to protect them through awareness and prevention projects

1. MYTH: Trafficking only happens to women and girls.  
   REALITY: Men and boys account for around 25% of people trafficked globally. Studies estimate that 50% of sex-trafficked youth are boys. ¹ 

2. MYTH: Traffickers are usually strangers.  
   REALITY: In cases of sex trafficking, 44% of victims were trafficked by a family member and 39% by an intimate partner. ² 

3. MYTH: Trafficking doesn’t happen where I live.  
   REALITY: In the U.S., there are 30,000+ cases of human trafficking each year. Trafficking happens in every state and territory. ³   

4. MYTH: Trafficking only happens to children.   
   REALITY: Trafficking happens to men, women, and children. Children made up only 69% of people in newly charged sex trafficking cases. ²   

5. MYTH: Trafficking always involves moving people to new places.   
   REALITY: People can be sex trafficked in their community or their homes. Traffickers can be family members, romantic partners, or employers.  

6. MYTH: Victims always ask for help.  
   REALITY: Many trafficked people have been groomed to think trafficking is normal. Others are ashamed or afraid to ask for help.  

7. MYTH: Trafficking always involves violence/force.  
   REALITY: Trafficked adults are often vulnerable because of poverty, substance abuse, or homelessness. 

8. MYTH: All traffickers are men.  
   REALITY: 25% of U.S. child sex traffickers are women. ⁴  In many other countries, women trafficking women is most often.  

9. MYTH: Trafficking only happens in poor communities.  
   REALITY: Sex trafficking is everywhere. In affluent communities, trafficking can happen in places like massage parlors, bars, and motels.  

10. MYTH: Victims of human trafficking are physically held captive and unable to physically leave.  
    REALITY: Traffickers use emotional manipulation, threats, or economic dependency, making it hard to leave. Additionally, with no money, documentation, or a place to go, many trafficked people have no other options.  

11. MYTH: Human trafficking is not a human rights issue. 
    REALITY: Sex trafficking infringes on fundamental human rights, including the right to freedom from slavery/servitude, the right to bodily autonomy, and the right to health and safety.  

1. Enhance Victim Identification.
2. Disrupt Trafficking Networks.
3. Support Law Enforcement.
4. Aid Victim Recovery.

1. Predictive Analytics for Vulnerability Assessment: AI can analyze risk factors like poverty levels, school drop-out rates, and familial instability to identify communities or individuals at higher risk of trafficking. Early intervention programs can then be directed to these areas.
2. Online Safety Monitoring: Machine learning models can scan social media and online platforms to detect grooming behaviors or suspicious interactions targeting children. Algorithms can flag predatory language or activities for further investigation.
3. Facial Recognition and Missing Children Identification: AI tools like facial recognition can match photos of missing children with images circulating on illicit websites or public platforms, aiding in their swift recovery.
4. Educational Chatbots: AI-driven chatbots can educate children, parents, and educators on the signs of trafficking and how to stay safe online. These tools can provide accessible information and resources in multiple languages.
5. Disrupting Recruitment Networks: AI can monitor and identify patterns in digital recruitment tactics used by traffickers to target children. By dismantling these networks early, potential trafficking cases can be prevented.

• Thorn’s Spotlight Tool: Reduces investigation times by analyzing online ads to identify potential trafficking victims.
• Marinus Analytics: Uses AI tools like Traffic Jam to analyze escort websites and locate missing persons.
• Financial Data Analysis: AI helps financial institutions identify suspicious transactions linked to trafficking operations.

• Data Privacy: Ensuring ethical use and legal compliance when collecting and analyzing sensitive data.
• Algorithm Bias: Addressing biases in datasets to prevent overlooking marginalized groups.
• Traffickers’ Adaptation: Keeping pace with traffickers as they evolve their methods to evade detection.
• Resource Gaps: Overcoming technological and funding limitations in high-risk, low-resource areas.

1. The workshop “Enough with Grooming” was conducted twice at Ban San Pa Sak School and Ban Saluang Nok School. The workshop was supported by TRAGAST. Total number of students participating: approximately 80 
2. Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Project: Enough with Grooming (Train-the-Trainer Program). This program, designed for facilitators, was conducted five times this year. Participants included youth leaders from the National Child and Youth Council of Thailand, students from Yupparaj Wittayalai School, Wattanothai Payap School, Sanpatong Wittayakom School, Kawitthamrong Chiang Mai School, and Sacred Heart College Chiang Mai. Additionally, student leaders and volunteer graduates from the five southern border provinces (Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, Songkhla, and Satun) also took part. The program was supported by both public and private organizations, including the Chiang Mai Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office, the Department of Children and Youth, and UNICEF. Total number of students participating: 232 
3. Participated in the project “Preventing Grooming for Child Sexual Abuse and Trafficking,” in collaboration with the Chiang Mai Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office. This initiative enabled us to conduct training sessions for students at five schools: Sacred Heart College Chiang Mai, Kawitthamrong Chiang Mai School, Sarasas Witaed Chiang Mai School, Sarasas Witaed Lanna School, and Wattanothai Payap School. Total number of students participating: approximately 250 
4. The workshop “Understanding Grooming: Preparation for Sexual Abuse” was conducted in collaboration with the Faculty of Mass Communication, Chiang Mai University, targeting university students. Total number of university students participating: approximately 50 
5. The training session “Cyberbullying Prevention: Understanding Cyberbullying Risks and the principles and techniques of Aikido self-defense” was conducted in collaboration with the Aikido Club of Chiang Mai University, targeting university students. Total number of university students participating: approximately 40 
6. The training session for parents, “Understanding Sexual Abuse Risks: Grooming and Online Grooming,” was held at the Renshinkan Dojo, Peace Culture Foundation with support from TRAGAST. The majority of participants in this training were parents and caregivers, as well as professionals in child protection, including NGO workers, teachers, and social workers. Total number of participants: 29 
7. The online training session, “Digital Parenting: Navigating Online Sexual Risks for Modern Parents,” was conducted via ZOOM meetings, with a total of 54 registered participants.

• Summary information 

November: Thailand’s Month for Ending Violence Against Children and Women

In recognition of November as Thailand’s “Month for Ending Violence Against Children and Women,” the Child Rights Coalition Lanna organized the Lanna CRC Festival #4: Child-friendly Space to End Violence Against Children and Women.

The Peace Culture Foundation (PCF) was invited to participate in this event due to longstanding commitment to combating violence against children. PCF joined a roundtable discussion alongside over 40 public and private sector organizations. Representing PCF, Miss Raviporn Khampeerapong, a psychologist and staff member, addressed the topic “Ending All Forms of Violence Against Children and Women.”

Miss Raviporn highlighted non-violent approaches to breaking the cycle of abuse, emphasizing that victims of abuse may, without proper intervention and prevention, perpetuate the cycle as offenders. She also discussed the critical issue of grooming, a form of sexual violence that is often misunderstood but vital to addressing in efforts to prevent child sexual abuse.

In the evening, PCF joined the awareness march from Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives to Tha Phae Gate and set up an informational booth focused on grooming. Through activities like quizzes with prizes, PCF engaged children and youth in understanding the dangers of grooming. Leaflets and posters were distributed to interested visitors, encouraging further learning and sharing within their communities.

This booth was co-hosted with the Chiang Mai Provincial Children and Youth Council and supported by young participants from the PCF’s Train-The-Trainer program. Now in its 11th cohort, this program aims to equip youth leaders with the skills to effectively educate peers and communities about grooming. All of PCF’s staff were delighted by the enthusiastic involvement of these youth volunteers, whose commitment to raising awareness reflects their passion for creating a safer society for children and young people.

The event was highly successful, attracting numerous visitors, including children, youth from various organizations, and tourists who stopped by to engage with the booth and show their support. Notably, Mr. Jerry Nelson from TRAGAST also visited, reaffirming the strong collaboration between PCF and TRAGAST.

The work of the PCF and TRAGAST is far from over. Together, we remain committed to building a society free from harm—a society rooted in peace and safety for all. None of this would be possible without your support.

If you wish to support the efforts of the Peace Culture Foundation, please contact TRAGAST and express your interest in contributing!

1. The prevention of child human trafficking is the right thing to do.Prevention is much less painful than rescue and restoration.What if prevention could remove or at least reduce the need for rescue and restoration?  That would certainly help make the world a better place.
2. TRAGAST is an open book.We pride ourselves in financial transparency.  We would be delighted to show you exactly where your donation would go. (At this point, 100% of our donations go to support Peace Culture Foundation training).
3. TRAGAST is comprised of Rotarian's who share the same passion.  Our vision is to see a Thailand region free of human trafficking.
4. With your support, we can fulfill our mission to enable and assist our community to take action to eliminate human trafficking and human exploitation through awareness and specific projects, especially prevention!

1. Donations to TRAGAST are not tax-deductible.
2. Not everyone thinks the prevention of child human trafficking is the most important cause.  Many wonderful people support other worthy causes.
3. Not everyone sees the benefit of making altruistic gestures.

The Signal for Help (or the Violence at Home Signal for Help) is a single-handed gesture that can be used by an individual to alert others that they feel threatened and need help over a video call, or in-person. It was originally created as a tool to combat the rise in domestic violence cases around the world as a result o​f the self-isolation measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The signal is performed by holding your hand up with your thumb tucked into your palm, then folding your fingers down, symbolically trapping your thumb in your fingers. It was intentionally designed as a single continuous hand movement, rather than a sign held in one position, that could be made easily visible.

The Signal for Help was first introduced in Canada by the Canadian Women's Foundation on April 14, 2020, and on April 28, 2020 in the United States by the Women's Funding Network (WFN). It received widespread praise from local, national, and international news organizations for helping provide a modern solution to the issue of a rise in domestic violence cases.

The signal has been recognized by over 40 organizations across Canada and the United States as a useful tool to help combat domestic violence.

Addressing concerns that abusers may become aware of such a widespread online initiative, the Canadian Women's Foundation and other organizations clarified that this signal is not "something that's going to save the day," but rather a tool someone could use to get help.

Instructions for what to do if an individual sees the signal, and how to check-in safely, were also created.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

• Go to the Mae Tao Clinic Website. Here you will find opportunities to donate which may be tax deductible! Please be sure to note that your donation is for the Mae Tao Clinic Reproductive Health Unit fundraising campaign. (Project Meghan)
• Make a direct deposit to the TRAGAST programs account.Again, please be sure to notify us at treasurer@tragast.org that your donation is for the Mae Tao Clinic Reproductive Health Unit fundraising campaign. (Project Meghan)

1. Walk with us!
2. Become a sponsor!
3. Tell your friends and colleagues!
4. Buy and wear the T-Shirt!

You may preorder T-Shirts for the event.

 

Sizes are M, L, XL and XXL

 

To preorder transfer at least ฿500 per shirt not later than Friday 11 October to:

Bangkok Bank

Pratu Chang Phuak Branch

125 Chang phuak Rd, T.Sriphum A. Muang

Chiangmai 50300 Thailand

Swift Code:  BKKBTHBK  

Account Number: 531-0-932891

Name on Account:  GERALD EDWARD NELSON & PONGSAWART NIYOMCA 

 

If we have extra shirts, we will sell them at the event for ฿600 each.

 

• Cambodia: Sihanoukville. Poipet.
• Laos: Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.
• Myanmar: Laukkai (on the border with China) Myawaddy (on the border with Thailand) and nearby: KK Park. Shwe Kokko. Mong La (on the border with China)

1. TheA21 Chiang Mai Walk for Freedom in October.
2. Sound of Freedom in Chiang Mai – January 27^th
3. Sound of Freedom in Bangkok – April 28^th
4. Sound of Freedom in Chiang Mai – June 30^th

• Participate in the Asia Region Anti-Trafficking Conference 23 – 25 July – Confirmed
• Host the A21 Walk for Freedom 19 October 2024 – Chiang Mai - Confirmed
• Participate in the A21 Walk for Freedom – Bangkok
• Sound of Freedom in Chiang Rai, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Bangkok
• Host legal seminars in Chiang Mai, Bangkok and perhaps Chiang Rai.
• East Asia Regional Council of Schools – Bangkok 24 – 26 Octoer.
• East Asia Regional Council of Schools – Kuala Lumpur 19 – 22 March 2025
• CNN My Freedom Day 14 March 2025

• Thailand Anti-Human Trafficking Actions
• United States Trafficking in Persons Report
• International Justice Mission
• A21
• Walk Free – The Global Slavery Index
• The Hug Project

1. More vast than ever,
2. Just as brutal as ever,
3. More stoppable than ever.