This is the story of the world's exploitation motorway, the girls, the truckers who use them - and the brave few seeking to change things

When British journalist Matt Roper and Canadian country singer Dean Brody turn onto a remote Brazilian highway, they have no idea that their lives are about to change forever. A chance encounter with a young girl, selling her body beside the road in the early morning, alerts them to an untold tragedy - thousands of girls, some as young as ten, trapped in prostitution. Travelling over 1,500 miles along the BR-116, they find entire communities living from child sexual exploitation, where parents sell their own daughters and those in authority turn a blind eye. Their shock leads to action - to bring hope, healing and justice to traumatised young lives.

"Compelling and poignant reportage that painstakingly exposes Brazil’s darkest secret.Matt Roper is that rare journalist who didn’t turn his back on the trauma and misery he witnessed for the adrenaline rush of the next deadline. In parts heart-breaking, in others uplifting, this is a story that needs to be told." - The Sun

"Few journalists remain this committed to exposing an issue. Once you get your headlines it is all too easy to move on to the next big expose. Not only is this a dark side of Brazil that Matt continues to highlight with passion, but his writing takes you so vividly into children's' lives. You are unable to stop thinking about them. Few books can do that." - BBC Panorama