Using drama to convey the realities of human trafficking.

In the Dark clip

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that there are 127.3 million child workers in the Asia-Pacific region aged between five and fourteen years old.

It also estimates some 1.4 million people in Asia and the Pacific are victims of trafficking into forced labour (around 55% of the global total).

Most victims are poor and tricked by the promise of well-paid jobs.

If they manage to escape, they often face discrimination from their communities at home.

The media can play a significant role both in warning potential victims and changing discriminatory attitudes.

85% of those who saw the film said they would think more carefully before accepting a job opportunity away from home   BBC World Service Trust In the Dark survey

Informing audiences through drama

'In the Dark' uses drama to inform audiences of the dangers and realities of human trafficking.

It alerts audiences to the lies of traffickers and sends a message to the traffickers themselves, warning that profits are not guaranteed by illegal practices.

The film played in cinemas for a week across three provincial and one urban precinct during June 2007, and will hopefully be shown on national television in the near future.

Measuring impact

BBC World Service Trust researchers conducted a phone survey with 200 cinema goers across the four provinces to measure impact.

Eighty-seven percent of those who saw the film said they would think more carefully before accepting a job opportunity away from home and will not believe what they are promised so easily.

Based on this this encouraging feedback, the Trust hopes to create further media programmes that address human trafficking and child labour.

This project was possible with funding from the International Labour Organisation (ILO).