Experiences at courtcase

A Survivor's Journey: Escaping Abuse, Deception, and Finding Hope

Growing up in poverty-stricken South America, my childhood was marred by the horrors of sexual abuse. At the tender age of six, I endured the unimaginable pain of my first rape. Years later, at seventeen, I found myself trafficked to Japan—an unfathomable ordeal that forced me into a life of prostitution. Desperate for freedom, I toiled relentlessly, eventually earning $100,000 to secure my release.

Determined to reclaim my life, I sought solace in Spain, where I worked independently as a sex worker, liberated from the clutches of traffickers. However, Europe's economic crisis hindered my ability to make a decent income. When an opportunity presented itself to work in a brothel in Denmark, touted for its reputation of providing safe and lucrative work, I leapt at the chance.

But my hopes were shattered upon reaching Denmark. To my dismay, I discovered that the promise of freedom from traffickers and organized networks was merely an illusion. Once again, I found myself trapped in a harrowing cycle, coerced into repaying an insurmountable debt. In spite of the odds stacked against me, my spirit remained unbroken. With resilience as my ally, I resolved to rise above the darkness that enveloped me.Explaining a trial

The following is a personal report from the courtroom of a master's student and volunteer at HopeNow.

As a volunteer at HopeNow, it has been interesting to observe trials where it is victims of human trafficking are being indicted. Unfortunately, it is a fact that victims of trafficking are not always treated as or considered to be identified. Therefore, they risk being sentenced and convicted in Denmark for conditions they, according to Danish law, should have been found non-guilty of.

The following story highlights how HopeNow helps make a difference for victims of human trafficking in Denmark.

She had been arrested at Copenhagen Airport at the beginning of January 2013 and has since been detained for faking documents. The police and prosecutor said they could tell the court that her passport had been manipulated.

HopeNow, who has built up a network and close contact with the Africans in Denmark for many years, was informed about the woman's detention via the web and subsequently arranged a personal conversation/interview with the woman in prison.

During the conversation, it became clear to psychotherapist Michelle Mildwater, who was interviewing the woman, that the woman was confused, worried and showing signs of anxiety. Factors which, to the experienced psychotherapist, indicate that the woman may potentially be a victim of human trafficking. As the woman was traumatized, it was carefully considered how to avoid further traumatization during the interviewing process. In the next ten days, the woman was interviewed twice by Mildwater to find out how she came to Copenhagen.

It turns out that the woman started to owe approx—fifty thousand euros to a criminal network that had forced her into prostitution using physical and mental terror. Four years later, she owed about 25,000 euros. This, alongside other information, is important to have when applying for official identification of women. Unless she gains such a status, she is considered a criminal in the system and will be punished accordingly.

 A so-called 1A document must be written containing all these pieces of information.

At the beginning of February, HopeNow sends the necessary papers to start the formal process of identifying women as victims of human trafficking. The woman's defence attorney also received the identification papers, and HopeNow announced they would be available for the trial.

HopeNow is surprised when the woman calls the next day and tells them she will go to court the same day. HopeNow realizes that the defence attorney needs to read the submitted documents and, therefore, that it is not the intention of the attorney to make the court take a position in the matter. This means that Denmark cannot judge the woman; instead, she will be given over to Reden International and placed in their shelter.

Against the prosecutor's wish to postpone the case (which would have resulted in further detention of the woman), the case is brought to court, resulting in the woman being freed after the trial and transferred to Reden International.

I, who helped to attend the trial, can not help thinking about what it feels like to be free after one month's detention in a foreign country but still being "trapped" – mentally speaking. The woman would have likely been convicted and imprisoned even if HopeNow had not intervened.

Last, I leave the courtroom ignorant of the prosecutor's reasons for postponing the trial with the argument that "the woman is not distressed and that she is well where she is in prison.”