Tori Anderson has dedicated her life to stop Australian men from engaging in the child sex industry, including through her self-funded movie Corridors of Children that premiered in Perth on March 13 at John XXIII College.
Approximately 140 people gathered together for the event, raising $1800 through ticket sales and donations for the Child Protection Development Centre (CPDC) in Pattaya Thailand.
“CPDC aims to provide street children with protection, education and prospects for the future,” Ms Anderson told The Record.
“They effectively combat child trafficking as well as commercial and sexual exploitation of children in and around Pattaya.
“The funds raised through the premiere will support the 70 children that are housed, fed and educated at this centre to live a life that is safe and free.”
Corridors of Children, directed by Cam Smeal, shows a three-year exploration of the bleak world of the child sex trade in Thailand, Cambodia and Burma.
Ms Anderson was the founder of the film as well as the executive producer and she credits her Masters in Development Studies at Melbourne University and researching child rights as her inspiration to act on the problem of the child sex trade.
“1.2 million children are trafficked into the sex industry and 30 to 35 thousand are in Thailand,” Ms Anderson said. “250,000 Australians visit Thailand every year and 1 in 7 visits for sex,” Miss Anderson said.
“We don’t know the percentage that engages in sex with children but my goal is to stop the demand.”
Following the launch of the film in Perth, John XXIII College has agreed to use the film as part of its Year 12 curriculum to raise awareness of the issues around the child sex trade.
“The children might be smiling while they are dancing on table tops but we need to see past their smiles which are deceiving,” Ms Anderson said about the children who have been caught up in the sex trade.
“My life passion is to be able to support these children and I feel enraged that this is happening. We need to protect these children.”
For a copy of the movie call 0448 115 133.