OPINION: The Survivors

Yury Fedotov is Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and CrimeBy Yury FedotovVIENNA, Oct 17 2014 (IPS)Oct. 18 is the EU’s Anti-Trafficking Day, as well as the United Kingdom’s Anti-Slavery Day. These events offer a good opportunity to talk about human trafficking within Europe’s borders, but we should not forget that there are victims and survivors all over the world.People like Grace, not her real name, who grew up in a large family in Western Nigeria. On leaving high school her uncle lured Grace to Lagos with false promises that her education would continue. But instead of libraries and lessons, this young Nigerian girl was forced to wear suggestive clothing and work long hours in her uncle’s beer parlour. She was pressured into sleeping with any customer willing to pay. Her aunt kept the money.Courtesy of UNODCThose wo are trafficked, like Grace, are often destitute, alone and afraid. In the face of exploitation and constant abuse it is difficult to summon the courage to flee. Fortunately, she had access to a radio and overheard a show on human trafficking.One of the interviewees, a staff member for the African Centre for Advocacy and Human Development, encouraged anyone needing help to contact the centre. Grace realised there might be a way out.Grace approached the centre after running away from her aunt and uncle. She was given a medical examination, as well as a place to sleep and counselling. The centre later sponsored her training as a seamstress, and ...

Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - October 17, 2014 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Yury Fedotov Tags: Crime & Justice Gender Gender Violence Global Global Governance Headlines Human Rights IPS UN: Inside the Glasshouse Labour Poverty & MDGs Women & Economy Women's Health anti-slavery day anti-trafficking day Convention Against Source Type: news