With more than 20 years working with not-for-profits, new CEO of Destiny Rescue, Paul Mergard, has seen a lot of things that disturb him.
But the most shocking of all is the sexual exploitation of children and young people who are lured into a life from which there is no escape.
In 2008, Paul’s life changed forever.
He took time away from his job at a charity and visited Mumbai to gain a better understanding of the social factors that led to children being sexually exploited, often from a very early age.
“I went to Mumbai and spent a week in the red-light districts, just talking to people to see for myself what was happening in impoverished countries,” Mr Mergard said.
“During that week I met Anita, an Indian woman who was also working with the charity and she told me that at the age of 9 she was working in a garment factory.
“One day a lady approached her and promised her a better job, paying more.
“Wanting to help provide for her family Anita accepted the woman’s offer.
“Tragically, she was trafficked across the border and underwent many years paying off her “debt” in sexual servitude.
“She now devotes her life to trying to prevent this from happening to others.”
Mr Mergard said this was a pivotal time in his career and he knew in his heart he also had to help.
“Perhaps I went in naively, but to say I was shocked to the core would be an understatement.
“I made myself a promise there and then that I would do what I could to help prevent this from happening to other women and children.”
So, when a role came up in 2019 as Executive Manager of Partnerships, Mr Mergard knew this was his chance to help.
“The work Destiny Rescue is doing is making a positive difference which is what inspires me.”
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“Manila used to be renowned for the exploitation of children but by working together with the local authorities, people engaging in these kinds of activities have been prosecuted and gone to jail, and they now know that the risk of getting caught is high, which has been a major deterrent.”
There are other factors helping in the fight against child sexual exploitation such as policies set by the Australian and US governments, which requires countries dependent on foreign aid to demonstrate they are actively doing something in the fight against trafficking, but Mr Mergard is only too aware that once international borders open up there will be pent-up demand by people wanting to travel overseas with the sole purpose of having sex with children.
“We are all extremely concerned that when the borders reopen there will be many children who will be coerced, sold or stolen into a world no child should ever live in”, Mr Mergard said.
“We all need to play a part in fighting this abhorrent trade in children so that when they go to bed at night they do so with the sole intention of sleeping, and not having to work.”
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Mr Mergard is the CEO of Destiny Rescue, an Australian-founded not-for-profit organisation based on the Sunshine Coast.
For many years, Destiny Rescue has been at the forefront of fighting the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children.
They work with international authorities and, increasingly, are invited to partner with local rescue-country authorities to expedite major raids.
Their holistic approach to rescue ensures that the children they rescue are provided with a safe and nourishing environment, with appropriate counselling and medical care.
They are also offered the tools (education, vocational training & support) to realise their potential and fulfil their dreams and destiny.
