Truth or fabrications: Somaly Mam

Roshni Kapur

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Truth or fabrications: Somaly Mam

VALENTIN GONZALO

A fallen anti-human trafficking activist fights to restore her reputation by setting up a new non-governmental organisation. How far will she go?

One of the most influential anti-trafficking activists was forced to resign after a series of controversies that questioned the legitimacy of her personal stories of abuse.

She is no other than Cambodian activist, Somaly Mam who makes a comeback by opening a new non-governmental organization (NGO) in her quest to combat sex trafficking.

In recent years, Mam rose to prominence in her battle against sex trafficking and slavery movement. She has launched two anti-trafficking organizations, Somaly Mam Foundation (SMF) and Agir pour les Femmes en Situation Precaire (AFESIP).

Her 2005 autobiography, The Road to Lost Innocence: The True Story of a Cambodian Heroine was an international bestseller. In 2009, Time magazine even named her one of the world’s 100 most influential people. She has received millions of dollars and celebrity backing, including Susan Sarandon, Angelina Jolie, Meg Ryan and Hillary Clinton, for her crusade against sex trafficking.

Her international fame was short-lived.

First The Cambodian Daily ran an article in 2012 and 2013 that Mam lied about her background.

The allegations were then supported by a damning cover story in May 2014 published in Newsweek by Simon Marks, demolishing her legitimacy that she had fabricated stories of sexual abuse.

Marks interviewed childhood acquaintances, teachers and local officials in the village where Mam grew up, whose accounts contradicted her story. He also reported that Mam instructed some of the girls in her care to lie about their personal lives in order to draw more attention and receive donations to her anti-sex trafficking mission.

Subsequently, SMF hired Goodwin Procter, an American law firm to investigate the allegations further. The controversy led to her resignation, withdrawal of funding from multiple donors and the foundation shutting its doors.

Marie Claire magazine published an article in September 2014 debunking the accusations and protesting Mam’s innocence. The journalist, Abigail Pesta, spoke to witnesses in Cambodian villages who seemed to support Mam’s story.

Has the social activist icon put the glaring controversies of last year behind her?

It took some time for Mam to speak up and deny the allegations against her. The high-profile activist sent out a public letter in December last year to inform the public on the launch of her new NGO and an attempt to clear the accusations.

“Many hurtful and inaccurate allegations were made about me, and my work, (but) the (Somaly Mam) foundation did nothing to dispel them, appeared to endorse them, and ultimately forced me to resign,” Mam said in the letter.

“I cannot change what the foundation chose to do, but I can do everything in my power to help the … victims.”

Big plans but…

The new organization will not rescue women and girls but work together with other NGOs to rehabilitate and educate victims. A new board of directors has also been selected that includes Hollywood actress and activist Susan Sarandon, who formerly served on SMF’s advisory board.

Rigmor Schneider, the organization’s executive director was quoted in Devex, “the (new organisation) was created to ensure that the young women and children who are victims of sexual violence, trafficking, indentured slavery and exploitation can get the help they need to recover and to live healthy and sustainable lives.”

While Mam and her new board of directors are making big plans, the Cambodian government may not let them run another anti-sex trafficking organisation.

An online article on The Cambodian Daily quoted the Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said “I think that she is not going to run an NGO again. We are not going to allow her to run this kind of activity again”.

“We can stop her from doing that, because it is a breach of trust, because she used a huge amount of international money.” – Rappler.com 

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