A Journey of Survival and Strength
Suppressing Her Identity
Lucy, a woman from East Africa, discovered from a young age that she was bisexual. However, in her home country in Africa, homosexuality is illegal and can result in imprisonment. Therefore she suppressed her true self and ended up marrying a man and they had two children, as an attempt to conform to societal norms.
Lucy began a secret relationship with a woman and rumors spread quickly. Her husband discovered the affair, brutally beat her, and cast her out of their home. The local community shunned her, leaving Lucy isolated and vulnerable.
A False Opportunity
Seeking refuge, Lucy turned to a distant relative, who offered her a job opportunity in Europe. Desperate for a fresh start, Lucy accepted, trusting her auntie. However, this promise turned out to be a trap.
Upon arrival in Europe, Lucy was taken to a remote countryside house where she was introduced to a man and was told that this was where she was going to stay. The man never had her registered officially and just kept her in his house, making food, cleaning and sleeping with him. Traffickers threatened to harm her children in Uganda if she resisted. For two years, Lucy endured her role as his wife cut off from the outside world. She told us “I sometimes asked him if he was ever going to help me get papers and marry me, but he got really angry when I asked and I got so scared.”
A Glimpse of Hope
Unexpectedly the man died. New traffickers turned up and drove her to an asylum center while they planned their next steps. At the asylum camp, Lucy met an African lady who offered her another “job” opportunity—this time working with children. Desperate to provide for her children, Lucy accepted and traveled to Denmark.
Instead of a legitimate job, Lucy found herself trapped once more. She was taken to a large house (a brothel) where women from various countries were involved in sex work and also sent out as escorts for clients all over Denmark. Threatened with violence, Lucy complied, hoping to earn money to send to her children. However, the traffickers never paid her.
A Courageous Escape
Determined to escape, Lucy confided in a client during one of her escort appointments. Remarkably, the client decided to help. Together, they searched online and found HopeNow’s contact information. Lucy made the call to HopeNow, and a meeting was arranged for the very next day. With HopeNow’s support, Lucy began her journey toward recovery and empowerment. Her resilience and courage inspires others, shedding light on the vulnerabilities trafficked women face and the strength required to deal with such unimaginable circumstances.
Lucy ’s story reminds us that human trafficking thrives on the exploitation of vulnerability, and women are often disproportionately targeted. This is not just a story about Lucy; it is a story about countless women around the world who face similar circumstances. It urges us to reflect on how we can create safer spaces, challenge societal stigmas and preconceptions, and build systems that empower rather than exploit. By recognizing the humanity and strength of survivors like Lucy, we take a step toward dismantling the structures that allow trafficking to persist. Lucy was identified as trafficked and now is receiving assistance with her case.
*All names and some details changed to protect the identity of the clients of HopeNow.