“The best rescue story is the one that never has to happen”
In 2003, Julie Dowse was confronted with an image that would change her life forever. Standing in a room with an undercover investigations team in Chiang Mai, Thailand, she saw walls covered with photographs of young missing girls, all suspected victims of trafficking. That moment ignited a passion and determination that has driven her for over 20 years. “I just made a promise that day that I would do something about it. I didn’t know at the time what I would do, but I just felt very compelled to want to contribute – to do something to stop trafficking. I didn’t really know a lot about it.”
That moment would go on to spark the creation of the AusCam Freedom Project. AusCam was established in 2012, originally providing accommodation to victims of trafficking and helping them find opportunities to get their life back on track. Over the last 10 years, the organisation has turned to prevention. “We’re probably one of the only organisations that solely focus on prevention work,” Julie explains.
Over time, Julie and her team discovered that 95% of the women they supported had never received a formal education. Working with girls who were most at risk of being trafficked, the organisation supported not only these young women and girls, but their families as well, to prevent the ‘push factors’ that can lead to trafficking. AusCam’s work helps these girls to stay in school, learn essential life skills and helps families find alternative sources of income, breaking the cycle of vulnerability.
Today, AusCam runs several programs targeting at-risk girls, especially focusing on the rising threat of online exploitation. “The focus is really on the growing risk of online exploitation and our work is centred around early intervention,” says Julie. Their three core programs – the Protection Program, Empowerment Program, and Career and Education Program – identify vulnerable girls early and provide education, counselling and community support.
Taking this work a step further, one of AusCam’s unique strengths lies in its partnership with Meta, one of only two organisations in Cambodia to have this direct connection. When a young girl reaches out, fearful that videos or photos of her are being used to exploit and extort her online, AusCam has a direct line to Meta’s safety team who can remove harmful content and even take down perpetrator profiles. The organisation also runs a 24-hour crisis hotline which provides immediate support to women who have been, or who are at risk of being exploited.
The impact of AusCam’s work is profound. Although Julie speaks confidently and calmly about the work, her passion and emotion breaks through as she reflects on one young at risk girl that AusCam was able to help. When Sophea was 15, her future was uncertain. Living in poverty, Sophea’s mother wasn’t confident she could afford to fund Sophea’s education which put her at high risk of leaving school or being coerced into work. With support from AusCam, she and her mother received guidance to help Sophea stay in school, but it wasn’t easy. She initially failed her grade 12 certificate. Determined to succeed, Sophea was supported by AusCam for a further year – completing her grade 12 certificate and discovering a new dream; to become a social worker and help other girls like her. Today, Sophea has graduated with a degree in Social Work and works full-time with vulnerable youth in Phnom Penh. Her example embodies the very mission of AusCam – to empower young women. “She just represents the core of AusCam and what we want for young women in Cambodia.” Julie reflects.
When asked what Australians can do to help prevent trafficking, Julie reflects on her own journey. “I never intentionally set out to found an NGO or a non-profit, and I certainly didn’t expect 13 years later what we would have grown to today.” She encourages Australians to take the time to research and understand what trafficking is, and just how widespread it has become. “There are approximately 50 million people in modern slavery around the world and 71% of those victims are women and girls.” Her advice is to consider the clothes you wear and who made them. To research incidences of trafficking and how it affects places that Australians know and love – places like Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines. Supporting organisations like AusCam is just one way to make a positive impact. Making choices that prevent trafficking are easier than we might realise.
“Do the research and look for organisations that are doing the work on the ground” is Julie’s advice.
AusCam Freedom Project is a Charity inFocus partner of the Saward Dawson Community Foundation in 2025. You can read more about their work at https://auscamfreedomproject.org/
