Children Living in Perpetual Invisibility

• Prize
  Shortlist
• Photographer
  Matilde Simas, United States
• Date of Photograph
  September 2019
• Category
  Asia
• Studio
  Matilde Simas
• Image Location
  Philippines
• Socials
• Website
  http://www.matildesimas.com

In an effort to escape poverty, Filipino children are being lured into the cybersex trade by human traffickers. Cybersex trafficking is a sinister form of modern-day slavery in the Philippines — the live sexual abuse of children streamed via the internet. “Children Living in Perpetual Invisibility" is a awareness campaign created to shed light on children enslaved in the cybersex trade. The project demonstrates, in real time, the daily life of rescued Filipino cybersex-trafficked children who live in a long-term shelter where they receive psychological care and learn life skills.

• Biography
  Matilde Simas is an award-winning photographer and filmmaker. She also serves as the Creative Art Director for the Limb Kind Foundation, where she combines her artistic vision and storytelling expertise to raise global awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with limb loss. With a background in psychology and women’s studies from Suffolk University and advanced training in digital photography at the Rhode Island School of Design, Matilde brings a unique perspective to her work, guided by a trauma-informed approach that emphasizes documenting dignity within vulnerable communities.