Rodney Stevens
The trafficking of children for sexual exploitation is a $150 billion-a-year global industry and a new film set to be screened in Yamba shines a light on this illegal practice and gives locals the opportunity to contribute to ending the suffering for children.
When Yamba resident Nichole Martyn visited Thailand six years ago and was exposed to child trafficking, she became aware of Destiny Rescue, an organisation established in 2001 by Tony Kirwan to put an end to child sexual exploitation and human trafficking, so she became an advocate.
After returning home, Ms Martyn held a successful fundraiser at Yamba Cinema for Destiny Rescue, with locals helping raise $2000.
Now, more determined than ever to end child exploitation, Ms Martyn has organised a premier screening of the film Sound of Freedom next month to raise vital funds for Destiny Rescue.
Sound of Freedom was completed in 2018 and a distribution deal was made with 20th Century Fox, but when it was bought by Walt Disney they shelved the film, so the filmmakers bought the distribution rights back and after screening for six weeks it had made $173 million globally.
“The actor in the film playing Tim Ballard visited a country where child trafficking was very prominent and it affected him so much, he had to do something about it,” Ms Martyn said.
“He came back to Australia, got his family, and went back and founded Destiny Rescue.
“Destiny Rescue is now a worldwide organisation that does rescue operations, reintegration programs and prevention efforts all around the world.”
Ms Martyn warmed people not to get distracted by naysayers or deniers.
“This movie is incredibly produced, it illustrates such a harsh, traumatic situation that is happening all over the world,” she said.
“Child trafficking is real; we all can contribute to the end of child exploitation.
“None of God’s children are for sale.”
Tickets for Sound of Freedom on Friday, September 1, are available from Yamba Cinema for $25 which includes a grazing plate before the film.
Call Nichole Martyn for inquiries on 0412 099 223.