The Los Angeles World Affairs Council (LAWAC) will host a human trafficking survivor as part of a discussion on modern-day slavery during a young professionals event March 11 in Culver City.
Held at the LAWAC office in Culver City at 7 p.m., “Modern-Day Slavery: A Discussion on Human Trafficking” will feature human trafficking survivor Ima Mathul and California Against Slavery founder and executive director Daphne Phung.
Mathul will be speaking about her experiences in personal testimony format after the human trafficking discussion.
On its website, the LAWAC states Mathul’s personal testimony can serve as an inspirations to others as “a story of courage and hope.”
According to the Survivors of Slavery website, Mathul was born and raised in Indonesia. She was reportedly offered work in the United States as a teenager. When she arrived in Los Angeles, Survivors of Slavery stated she was relegated to a location to perform household chores, including cooking, cleaning, childcare, and gardening, among other duties.
The story continues Mathul worked at least 18 hours per day, seven days per week, for about three years before she was apparently able to escape with the help of a nanny living in the house next door to her.
Mathul later became an activist with the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking; President Barack Obama recognized her efforts.
The event is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m. at the LAWAC office, 3535 Hayden Avenue, Suite 200, in Culver City.
Refreshments will be provided. Tickets must be purchased for the event; students can purchase a ticket for $5 with valid identification and must call (424) 258-6160 to reserve the discounted rate.
Tickets are $10 for LAWAC members and $15 for non-members.
More information about LAWAC, including its mission and upcoming events, can be found on its website at www.lawac.org.
