Tongan women rescued from China after arranged marriage scheme
Two Tongan women have been rescued from China after being lured into an arranged marriage scheme via social media. The victims are sharing their harrowing experiences to warn other young women about the dangers of these deceptive matchmaking operations.
Why it matters
This story highlights the risks of human trafficking and exploitation targeting vulnerable individuals through digital platforms.
<p>Two young Tongan women – we agree to call them Ana and Peti to protect their identities – have a deadness to their eyes that comes from trauma, writes <i>1News' Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver </i>in this first of a two-part series on the situation.</p> <p><i><b>Warning: This story contains details which may be distressing to some readers</b></i></p> <p>Just rescued from China by fellow Tongans after they were lured there on a marriage scheme which ended badly, the women have agreed to be interviewed by 1News and TVNZ's Tagata Pasifika in an effort to warn others not to take the same path they did.</p> <p>It's not an easy interview, and took place in a secret location with their counsellor from Tonga's Women and Children Crisis Centre supporting them.</p> <p>During Ana's interview I catch sight of Peti in the corner of the room wiping tears away as she listens in.
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