Human sex trafficking captured through the lens of Auckland photographer
Nikki Denholm is haunted by the universal hollowness in eyes that have seen too much.
The Auckland photographer captures powerful images of young girls sold into sex slavery in countries ranging from Cambodia to Uganda.
“I’m there in what tiny way I can to tell their story, but when I come home the eyes stick,” Denholm said.
“The same sense of desolation and hopelessness you see in a lot of the girls’ eyes, no matter which country they’re from, is something that does stay with me.
“I might cry when they’re telling me their stories, but in terms of me processing the enormity of human trafficking and the injustice of it, that’s something I will pick up when I’m at home.”
Denholm, 53, has worked in more than 40 countries documenting the stories of people suffering through war, famine, persecution, and crisis.
The mother of three girls was inspired to focus on human sex trafficking six years ago after a symposium in India alerted her to the severity of the problem.
At the time, 16,000 girls each year were trafficked from Nepal across the border to India, she said.
The Mission Bay resident worked in a red-light district in Mumbai where an estimated 42,000 young girls were held captive in high-rise brothels across seven streets.
“I was quite shocked at how many young girls and women are sold into human sex trafficking and how poor the outcomes are for them in terms of ever being rescued,” Denholm said.
Today, it is estimated that between 28-30 million people across the world have been trafficked into some form of human slavery, with between four and a half million and five million sold into sex slavery, she said.
“Something happens at a different level when you see a photograph than when you just read four and a half million girls have been sex-trafficked. I think what a photograph does is it brings the issues into people’s hearts really.”
Human trafficking is the world’s fastest-growing criminal area, reaping an estimated NZ$230 billion profit a year, according to Tearfund.
Read more here: www.stuff.co.nz...
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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56.6% Human-centred experience and communication
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13.2% Critical thinking
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26.3% Resilience and adaptability
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3.9% Other - I will share below!
Ecofest: Workshops with Jane Wrigglesworth
They SOLD OUT last time… and she’s back!
We’re so excited to welcome Jane Wrigglesworth back to Epsom Community Centre for two hands-on EcoFest workshops this April.
📅 Saturday 18 April
Hands-on Herbal Balm Workshop
10.00–11.30am
Learn to infuse oils, blend natural waxes, and create your own soothing balm for cuts, scrapes and skin irritations.
✔ Take home your own handmade balm
✔ Perfect for families, gardeners & natural remedy lovers
Natural Lipstick & Lip Gloss Making
12.00–1.30pm
Create your own lipstick and lip gloss using cocoa butter, vitamin E and plant-based pigments. Choose beeswax or a vegan alternative and blend your own personalised shade.
✔ Take home your custom creations
✔ Free from synthetic additives
$15 per workshop
$25 if you attend both
Register online here: enrolmy.com...
Spots are limited and these workshops sold out last time - book early to avoid missing out!
These workshops are brought to you by Epsom Community Centre as part of EcoFest 2026. Supported by the Albert-Eden Local Board.
Lost Cat
SMOKEY
MISSING since 7th Feb 26
Grey green eyes
Very shy
Missing from Dominion road near St Albarns church.
Jan 0274374334
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