The Whistleblower: Sex Trafficking, Military Contractors, and One Woman's Fight for Justice

Bolkovac, a former Nebraska police officer with a specialty in forensic science, was hoping to affect change in war-devastated Bosnia when she signed on as an international police monitor at the peak of the Balkan conflict. While in Sarajevo, the divorced mother of three collected evidence, victim statements concerning the horrific situations, brutal rapes, and murders of innocent women and children she encountered. But as an employee for DynCorp, a leading military contractor in world security, she seldom saw justice done. After being promoted by the U.N. to oversee cases of domestic abuses, sexual assault, and human trafficking, Bolkovac uncovers a vast network of women and underage girls sold to brothels near military bases, with a client list of soldiers, police, and officials. When she implicates the U.N. in Bosnia for covering up for its officials selling women in prostitution, she is fired—allegedly for falsifying a time sheet, but the damage is done and her evidence is presented at a tribunal. Overall, Bolkovac's story, with the help of journalist Lynn, bristles with disturbing details and heartfelt compassion. (Jan.)