Sophie Quinn is in her final year of a Bachelor of Development Studies at the University of Newcastle, Australia. As a 2024 New Colombo Plan Scholar, she recently completed a semester exchange at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as part of the Australian Government’s initiative to strengthen regional engagement in the Asia- Pacific region.

Sophie is currently interning with the Counter People Smuggling team at the RSO, where she will assist in the preparation of research, reports, and support-related events. She has a strong interest in the protection and empowerment of women, particularly in the context of human trafficking, migration and displacement. Her previous experience includes working with a domestic violence charity in Australia, where she contributed to policy reviews and community outreach initiatives. Sophie is excited to contribute to advancing human rights by supporting regional efforts to address people smuggling and promote safe migration practices.

Recommended book – “The Road of Lost Innocence” by Somaly Mam

The memoir of Somaly Mam, a Cambodian woman, provides an insight into her traumatic childhood experience of being trafficked and forced into sexual slavery. Despite enduring unimaginable abuse, Somaly escaped against all odds and now dedicates her life to rescuing other women and children through the Somaly Mam Foundation, which supports victims of human trafficking.