The Whistleblower

Kathryn Bolkovac, a police officer from Lincoln, Nebraska, takes on a challenging role with the United Nations International Police in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina. She works for Democra Security, where her dedication to justice begins to shape her journey in a troubled region.

After successfully advocating for a Muslim woman facing domestic violence, Kathryn's contributions are recognized. She is appointed as the head of the department of gender affairs, thrusting her into the heart of issues surrounding human trafficking.

Raya, a young Ukrainian woman, along with her friend Luba, falls victim to a Bosnian sex-trafficking ring. In a brave attempt to regain her freedom, Raya escapes with Irka, another girl ensnared by the network, and seeks refuge in a women's shelter.

Motivated by her compassion for the girls, Kathryn digs deeper into their situation and uncovers a chilling network of sexual slavery involving international personnel. This discovery propels her into a fight against the pervasive exploitation faced by victims.

Kathryn encourages Raya and Irka to testify against their traffickers, assuring them of their safety. However, her promise quickly becomes undermined by the apathy of a UN official who abandons Irka at the border.

After Irka is abandoned, Kathryn courageously rescues her from the woods. Despite her good intentions, fear grips both Kathryn and Irka, complicating the possibility of moving forward with the prosecution.

The traffickers recapture Raya after being tipped off by a corrupt peacekeeper. In a brutal act meant to instill fear, they violently punish Raya in front of other girls, further highlighting the terror they wield.

As Kathryn intensifies her efforts to expose the sex trafficking scandal, she meets resistance from a cover-up aimed at protecting lucrative contracts. The struggle reveals how deeply corruption runs within the organization.

Kathryn finds essential support from allies, including Madeleine Rees and Peter Ward, who assist her in navigating the treacherous landscape of threats and bureaucratic obstacles. Together, they strive to shed light on the ongoing injustice.

In a remarkable raid, Kathryn traces Raya's location, but heartbreak ensues when Raya refuses to leave with her. A few days later, tragedy strikes as Raya's lifeless body is discovered, murdered by her captors.

After sending an email to higher-ranking officials detailing her findings, Kathryn is terminated from her position. Undeterred, she embarks on a dangerous mission to infiltrate DynCorp for concrete evidence of the trafficking ring.

While attempting to collect evidence, Kathryn finds herself cornered by Ward and another employee. Instead of succumbing to fear, she plays along, which is revealed as part of a larger plan to gather evidence against their captors.

Just as deportation seems imminent, Kathryn manages to escape with crucial evidence regarding the sex trafficking operations. Her determination leads her to BBC News, where she aims to expose the horrifying truths she uncovered.

Following Kathryn's departure, numerous peacekeepers are repatriated, but not a single person faces justice for their crimes due to immunity laws. This turn of events underscores the ongoing struggles within international organizations regarding accountability.