'I felt helpless, disillusioned and sad': Woman traumatised after witnessing sex trafficking during a photography trip overseas starts a domestic violence charity in Australia

  • A woman who was horrified by sex trafficking overseas started her own charity
  • Melissa Histon witnessed firsthand the atrocities going on in Nepal during a trip
  • The Newcastle photographer began her own anti-domestic violence foundation 
  • She spoke to FEMAIL about the reality of domestic abuse and the work she does

A woman who was left traumatised and sickened by women and children sex trafficking overseas has started her own Domestic Violence charity in Australia.

Melissa Histon, a photographer and women's rights activist, returned from a work trip to Nepal feeling powerless after witnessing the 'extreme atrocities' taking place in the perverted world of human trafficking. 

The Newcastle-based humanitarian followed the age-old mantra 'charity begins at home' by launching an anti-domestic violence foundation to support victims in Australia. 

'I came back to Australia after the trip feeling helpless, disillusioned and sad - the sex trafficking of women and children is not unique to Nepal. It happens in many countries, including my own,' Melissa told FEMAIL. 

Melissa Histon, (pictured) a photographer and women's rights activist, returned from a work trip to Nepal feeling powerless after witnessing the 'extreme atrocities' taking place in the perverted world of human trafficking

Melissa Histon, (pictured) a photographer and women's rights activist, returned from a work trip to Nepal feeling powerless after witnessing the 'extreme atrocities' taking place in the perverted world of human trafficking

The Newcastle-based humanitarian (pictured left with White Ribbon Ambassador, Jon Chin) followed the age-old mantra 'charity begins at home' by launching an anti-domestic violence foundation to support victims in Australia.

The Newcastle-based humanitarian (pictured left with White Ribbon Ambassador, Jon Chin) followed the age-old mantra 'charity begins at home' by launching an anti-domestic violence foundation to support victims in Australia.

'While this is an extreme atrocity, every day in the workplace, the schoolyard, on social media, everywhere, people can be incredibly judgmental and cruel. Women can be oppressed by other women, even by themselves.' 

Melissa had travelled to south Asia to to do the still photography for a 3 Angels Nepal documentary and was deeply saddened by the women and children who had been rescued or those who remained in slavery. 

Speaking in a new book titled Inspired Kindness, Melissa said she knew she couldn't return to her previous life 'reading magazines or watching So You Think You Can Dance' and simply forget about the cruelty she had seen.

Melissa  (pictured second from left) then resolved she would do her part and started an online 'sisterhood' called The Sista Code, and then a charitable arm, named Got Your Back Sista, to raise support and funds for women in crisis and who have escaped domestic violence

Melissa  (pictured second from left) then resolved she would do her part and started an online 'sisterhood' called The Sista Code, and then a charitable arm, named Got Your Back Sista, to raise support and funds for women in crisis and who have escaped domestic violence

Melissa then resolved to do her part and started an online 'sisterhood' called The Sista Code, and then a charitable arm, named Got Your Back Sista, to raise support and funds for women in crisis and those who have escaped domestic violence.

It is a cause she is particularly passionate about because of the countless women she has witnessed fall victim to a seemingly inescapable cycle of abuse. 

And the disturbing facts only speak for themselves.

Figures show that on average one woman is killed by a partner or former partner every week in Australia.

'I know so many people who have suffered domestic and family abuse and I see first-hand the terrible scars it leaves behind: both emotional and physical,' Melissa said.

Speaking in a new book titled Inspired Kindness , Melissa said she knew she couldn't return to her previous life 'reading magazines or watching So You Think You Can Dance' and simply forget about the cruelty she had seen

Speaking in a new book titled Inspired Kindness , Melissa said she knew she couldn't return to her previous life 'reading magazines or watching So You Think You Can Dance' and simply forget about the cruelty she had seen

The aim of Got Your Back Sista, Melissa explains, is to support, rehouse and mentor women and children who have been affected by domestic violence

The aim of Got Your Back Sista, Melissa explains, is to support, rehouse and mentor women and children who have been affected by domestic violence

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN AUSTRALIA 

*On average, at least one woman a week is killed by a partner or former partner in Australia.

*One in three Australian women has experienced physical violence, since the age of 15.

*One in five Australian women has experienced sexual violence.

*One in four Australian women has experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner.

*One in four Australian women has experienced emotional abuse by a current or former partner.

*Women are at least three times more likely than men to experience violence from an intimate partner.

Source: OurWatch.org.au 

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'It both saddens and angers me that people can be so cruel to eachother. Domestic violence is a violation of another person's human rights.

We all have a right to live freely: free from torture, cruelty, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.' 

The aim of Got Your Back Sista, Melissa explains, is to support, rehouse and mentor women and children who have been affected by domestic violence.

But the road to achieving the goal of zero domestic abuse in Australia is long and arduous.

There are countless motivating factors behind systematic violence occurring behind closed doors, and because there is no single cause Melissa said it can be even harder to prevent.

'There are a number of risk factors associated with perpetrators and victims of domestic violence. For example, perpetrator's alcohol and drug use and victims' experience of child abuse, pregnancy and separation may all increase the risk,' she said.

There are countless motivating factors behind systematic violence occurring behind closed doors, and because there is no single cause Melissa said it can be even harder to prevent

There are countless motivating factors behind systematic violence occurring behind closed doors, and because there is no single cause Melissa said it can be even harder to prevent

'There are a number of risk factors associated with perpetrators and victims of domestic violence. For example, perpetrator's alcohol and drug use and victims' experience of child abuse, pregnancy and separation may all increase the risk,' she said

'There are a number of risk factors associated with perpetrators and victims of domestic violence. For example, perpetrator's alcohol and drug use and victims' experience of child abuse, pregnancy and separation may all increase the risk,' she said

'Financial stress, personal stress and lack of social support are also strong connections to violence against women.'

Melissa helps these women and children by providing furniture and household items to women setting up a new home, offering workshops and mentoring to help victims achieve personal goals and self defense classes. 

Two of the charity's most recent projects included converting an old property into a 10-bedroom crisis home in the Newcastle area and setting up a new house in the Hunter Valley Region.

Got Your Back Sista's overarching message is 'I say NO to domestic violence' and Melissa and her team publicly campaign and set up projects to spread awareness and support. 

THE DISTURBING REALITY OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING 

There are between 27 and 36 million individuals in forced labour at any point in time.

68 per cent or 14.2 million are victims of forced labour exploitation, in economic activities such as agriculture, construction, domestic work or manufacturing.

22 per cent or 4.6 million are victims of sexual slavery. Of these, 21 per cent or approximately one million victims are children. Alternative research has indicated that up to 58 per cent of trafficking cases were for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

The remaining 10 per cent or 2.2 million individuals are in state-imposed forms of forced labour.

Women account for 55-60 per cent of all trafficking victims detected globally; women and girls together account for 75 per cent of victims.

Trafficking of children is increasing. Of the detected victims whose age profile was known and reported in the period 2007-2010, some 27 per cent were children. In the period 2003-2006, about 20 per cent were children. Of every 3 child victims, 2 are girls and 1 is a boy.

In 2017, the top 10 countries with the highest rates of human trafficking were released and included Belarus, Central African Republic, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Sudan, Syria and Venezuela, according to the Borgen Project.

Source: Hagar.org.au 

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She said empowering women with the tools to escape and recover from an abusive relationship is a rewarding experience.

'Most of the women that we meet at Got Your Back Sista have moved out of the violent home or refuge and are trying to rebuild their lives again. A large portion of women now live with depression and anxiety, many with PTSD due to living in a state of hypervigilance for so long, and many are living below the poverty line,' Melissa added.

'[The most rewarding thing is] seeing the women we help achieving things they never thought they could do because they have been so highly controlled by their abusers. 

The greatest thing that gives me joy is seeing our ladies feeling empowered and happy – when women see the beauty and strength in themselves.' 

White Ribbon Day will take place this year on November 25. 

If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation, you can call 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732 or the Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63.