Illustration by Joey (@joeyy.lws) & Lakshaniyaa (@ahiklnsy)

On the evening of 28 October 2025, LT13 at Taylor’s University transformed from a regular lecture theatre into a flickering, candle-lit haven of laughter and suspense. Students settled in for a screening of Coraline, organized by the Taylor’s University Debaters. Some even came dressed in scary-cool costumes.

But beyond the cinematic thrills and themed snacks lay a greater purpose: every ticket sold was a contribution to SUKA Society (Persatuan Kebajikan Suara Kanak-Kanak Malaysia), an NGO dedicated to protecting and empowering children across Malaysia.

The night kicked off with light refreshments. Between the gasps, laughs, and friendly screams, the atmosphere was filled with both Halloween spirit and heartfelt intention.

At first glance, Coraline appears to be a dark fantasy following a curious girl  discovering a magical world hidden behind a small door. But beneath its stop-motion charm lies a haunting allegory about manipulation and the danger of false comfort.

In the film, the main character, Coraline, is drawn to the “Other World,” a place where everything seems brighter, warmer, and more loving than her real life. Yet the perfection soon turns sinister in the second half of the film, revealing how easily affection can become control. The “Other Mother” tempts Coraline with promises of love in exchange of sewing buttons over her eyes. This symbolizes how abusers and traffickers lure children with attention and safety, only to trap them in fear and dependency.

That chilling metaphor mirrors the real-world exploitation faced by children SUKA Society strives to protect. The movie’s world of deceptive beauty parallels how victims of trafficking are often misled by false promises of education, care, or opportunity. And just as Coraline fights to reclaim her freedom and voices, so too do the countless children who endure exploitation and abuse in silence.

Watching Coraline through that lens turned the Halloween screening into more than a night of spooks, it became a reminder that bravery, awareness, and empathy are needed not only in stories, but in real life.

According to the U.S. Department of State’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report, children are among the most vulnerable groups affected by trafficking, with many forced into labor or sexual exploitation. In Malaysia, child exploitation and trafficking remain pressing issues. According to a joint UNICEF–ECPAT–INTERPOL study, an estimated 100,000 Malaysian children aged 12 to 17 may face online sexual exploitation or abuse every year.  

Besides, a recent SUKA Society report (2021–2023) found over 180 confirmed victims of trafficking in a single year, with children among those rescued from forced labor and sexual exploitation.

Though progress has been made through new policies and awareness campaigns, there are still gaps in protection and enforcement which organizations like SUKA Society strive to fill. These realities echo Coraline’s central message: courage means standing up against systems that prey on the innocent, even when the odds seem impossible.

Like Coraline, many real children face circumstances where their safety and freedom are stolen from them. The SUKA Society (Persatuan Kebajikan Suara Kanak-kanak Malaysia) works to protect such children, especially victims of human trafficking, exploitation, and neglect,  by ensuring they receive the support and advocacy they deserve.

Founded in 2010, SUKA Society has dedicated itself to protecting and preserving the best interests of children across Malaysia. Their initiatives include rehabilitation for trafficked survivors, case management for immigrant and refugee children, and education access projects for marginalized communities. They also collaborate with local authorities and international organizations to strengthen Malaysia’s child protection systems.

By dedicating their Halloween event to SUKA, the Taylor’s University's Debaters transformed an ordinary movie night into a platform for empathy and action. The fundraiser served as a reminder that awareness can begin anywhere, even with a projector, popcorn, and a film that challenges us to look beyond the surface.

As the credits rolled and the lights came back on, applause filled LT13. Some attendees shared that it was their first time watching Coraline, while others were thrilled to revisit its eerie magic together on the big screen. In that light, students were reminded that courage doesn’t always come from battling monsters; sometimes, it’s in choosing to help others.

The night continued with a lively costume contest that saw everything from skeletal kings to haunted heroines taking the stage. Winners of the costume contest posed proudly for photos.

Leaving LT13 that night, many carried home more than just memories of a spooky film. They left with a new awareness that even in moments of fun, they could be part of something much bigger: protecting the real-world “Coralines” who deserve to step safely back into their own worlds.

If you’d like to learn more about SUKA Society or support their initiatives, visit www.sukasociety.org.

And a big shoutout to the Taylor’s University Debaters for turning Halloween fright into hope — one ticket, one costume, and one act of kindness at a time. 

Follow them on Instagram @tudebaters to keep up with their future events and initiatives!