Mid North Coast couple are committed to protecting girls from slavery

GLOBAL statistics estimate that approximately 50 million people are trapped in modern-day slavery.

Women and girls make up 60 to 70 per cent of identified victims, with sexual exploitation accounting for almost 40 per cent of those cases.

For Mid North Coast resident and founding director of the AusCam Freedom Project, Julie Dowse, the figures are horrifying.

With her husband Geoff, she has devoted 15 years to effecting change.

During a stint as a volunteer in Thailand in 2003, she was taken behind-the-scenes of an undercover police investigation.

The impact of seeing walls full of photos of missing young girls has never left her.

Returning to Australia, she completed a Master of Child Protection Investigation through the Graduate School of Policing & Security.

The couple moved to Cambodia in 2010 to open an aftercare home for rescued and at-risk girls.

In 2012, they created AusCam, and since then their focus has been to equip and empower girls and young women to protect themselves from online child sexual exploitation.

“My husband and I founded this organisation late in life,” Dowse said.

“We’re just a mum and dad. But it shows that if you’re passionate about something you can make a difference.

“Our organisation is the leading body in Cambodia on online exploitation.

“Other organisations call us to provide training in this specific area.”

Thanks to the tireless work of its volunteers, AusCam has raised more than $4.5 million and helped more than 3000 girls and young women live safe, fulfilling lives.

For more information or to inquire about volunteering opportunities, visit auscamfreedomproject.org

julie@auscamfreedomproject.org

By Rachael THORPE