THE TRAGEDY OF TRAFFICKING
Imagine a 16-year-old girl, alone except for her baby, living in terrible conditions. Imagine she has already been a prostitute for 6 years. Imagine she was sold into that terrible trade by her parents – betrayed by those who should protect her.
She is afraid for her younger sisters. She is afraid that all of them will be kidnapped and forcibly sent 1000 miles to the West to be further abused. What will become of her child? What will become of her?
Tens of thousands of young Moldovans have been sold as slaves for the sex trade in Western European cities and further afield. $2000 (about £1,300) or less buys a young girl for the rest of her unhappy life. The evil in British society, and that of neighbouring countries, is stealing the lives of many young Moldovans.
The Moldovan context is that of Europe’s poorest country. Extreme poverty and high rates of alcoholism, drug abuse and domestic violence make many young people extremely vulnerable to the promises of the traffickers. Once tempted, they are easily caught. Moldova’s sex slaves come from all over the country – from Chisinau, the capital, and from Gagauz-Ery, an autonomous southern region with a Turkic population.
Our partners also work in schools and other venues to change the attitudes which allow this evil to flourish, and they give a wide range of practical help to those in need, to reduce their vulnerability.
WorldShare has a previous link with Beginning of Life: the founders, Vladimir and Iulia Ubeivolc, are graduates (and once sponsored students) from St. Petersburg Christian University. Now we will be helping them more.
Beginning of Life is increasingly recognised – in Moldova and further afield – for its work. In 2010 they organised a Europe-wide conference on sex trafficking in Moldova, which was attended by representatives from 25 countries.
Beginning of Life urgently needs help to continue and to grow this vital ministry. Their team of 12 needs support. Your gift, of any size, will help them to continue their work around Chisinau, and also to extend more help to the north and south of the country.
In particular, it costs Beginning of Life about £420 per month to provide care in the safe house for one rescued girl.
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