As the founder of the award-winning organization OneChild, Arts & Science alum Cheryl Perera is empowering children and youth worldwide to act against sexual exploitation of children, including sex trafficking.
“Studying at U of T gave me so much more than a world-class education,” says Perera, who earned her honours bachelor of arts degree in 2010 as a member of Trinity College. “It was about tapping into a globally minded community that gave me the knowledge I needed to become an expert on the sexual exploitation of children and children’s rights, as well as launch my foundation.”
Perera’s activism started in high school when a Grade 10 civics class project led her to research child trafficking in Thailand. The unsettling reality deeply affected her, setting her on a path that would take her across the world and into an undercover sting operation at just 16 years old to expose a predator twice her age.
Perera chose U of T for its diverse educational and research opportunities. Studying ethics, society and law, political science and women and gender studies gave her a foundational understanding of the systemic factors behind child exploitation and trafficking, particularly in Canada.
“I took courses that transformed my worldview and exposed me to the devastating circumstances threatening Indigenous women and girls in this country,” says Perera, recipient of the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest civilian honour. “These experiences at U of T helped me gain a deeper insight into the people who make up the majority of victims that OneChild exists to help.”
Support from the Arts & Science community was paramount to the foundation’s early success. Perera credits faculty and staff for helping her navigate the demands of school and activism, enabling her to keep up with coursework while traveling for OneChild.
“If it wasn’t for the support of the registrar’s office and accommodations from my professors, I don’t think OneChild would have the same impact today.”
Since its founding, OneChild has mobilized young people in more than 15 countries, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to recognize, prevent and respond to child sex trafficking. Through education programs, advocacy initiatives and survivor support, the organization has helped thousands of children escape exploitation and reclaim their futures.
Perera and OneChild have received many accolades and honours through the years, but what means the most to Perera are the many messages of thanks from people she’s helped.
“Survivors are leading this fight,” says Perera. “To me, they are the true heroes.”