The Subtle Traps of Human Trafficking

Cameron grew up in a well-off family; his father was the heir to the land in their village. However, his life took a tragic turn when, in his 20s, the village was attacked by a nomadic group, leaving hundreds of people dead. During the attack, Cameron's father was killed right in front of him, and Cameron himself was beaten and shot, left for dead. Miraculously, he survived, but the experience left him extremely vulnerable.

After this traumatic event, Cameron's family feared for his safety. A family member introduced Cameron to a “nice man” who offered to make arrangements for him to escape to Europe. The family sold part of Cameron’s father's property and farm machinery to gather thousands of euros to help pay for the trip. Cameron was transported to Europe with a group of Nigerian men, and from there, he was transported by them to Denmark.

The Trap Closes In

Upon arriving in Denmark, Cameron was taken to an apartment in Copenhagen where he met two new Nigerian men who told him that he now owed them money. Cameron, completely disconcerted, tried to explain that everything had been paid upfront. However, the men claimed there were "additional costs" and that he now had to repay his debt by selling drugs on the streets of Copenhagen. When he resisted, they beat him very badly and took all of his cash. At this point he realized that he was in danger from a notorious Nigerian transnational criminal network. They beat and took him to a crowded train station and instructed him to pick up a bag from a man. Terrified, he managed to seize an opportunity to run away in the station. Left to his own devices, he survived by picking up bottles and met people who gave him black work in construction and cleaning. A few weeks after he ran away, his family was threatened in Nigeria and contacted him, begging him to pay this fictitious debt. 

Fear and Distrust

Despite his escape, the scars of the abuse and manipulation remained. HopeNow came into contact with Cameron through outreach work in an asylum camp and immediately noticed that he was suffering from Post-traumatic stress syndrome. He had been arrested for working illegally and then sought asylum. Fear and distrust of everybody led him to lie about his situation during the official interview with the authorities, which resulted in him not being identified as a trafficked person. HopeNow provided him with counseling and trauma therapy, which meant he was able to share a coherent narrative with the Center against human trafficking. He was therefore officially identified as a trafficked person and could receive appropriate assistance. 

Reflecting on Hidden Realities

This story highlights how human trafficking can manifest in unexpected ways. It doesn't always involve chains and confinement; sometimes, it's as simple as manipulating someone with a debt that never existed in the first place. Cameron's case reminds us that anyone can fall into these traps, especially those who are in vulnerable situations.

We must be aware that human trafficking can disguise itself in everyday life and that victims and survivors can be ordinary people who find themselves caught in circumstances beyond their control. It is crucial to recognize the signs and provide the appropriate support to help individuals escape these situations before they become entirely ensnared.

*All names and some details changed to protect the identity of the clients of HopeNow.