On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we recognize the courage of survivors and the vital support systems that help them reclaim their lives.
During our work with return counselling for victims of trafficking, we regularly encounter stories of women who become pregnant by their exploiters.
These pregnancies, never a matter of choice, evoke varied reactions from the women involved. Our counsellor, Tina, is sharing two stories:
“Two years ago, I guided a woman from the Dominican Republic, who also holds Spanish nationality. She became pregnant by her exploiter, which initially shocked her. However, after trauma counselling, she began to see her pregnancy as a positive outcome of her exploitation. It gave her strength and purpose: caring for someone who needed her. She discovered the resilience of her body and mind, finding renewed strength to return home. Working together with IOM Spain and IOM Dominican Republic, we assisted her voluntary return to Spain and finally to the Dominican Republic where she had her baby and could rely on the support of her family.
I am still in contact with her, and they are doing well. She tells me, ‘Yes, this is the force, this is my driving force right now, that my son is doing well.’
However, I also hear different stories. Just last month, a woman confided in me that she wanted to address her trauma and reunite with her family in her country of origin but had recently discovered she was pregnant. She sees her pregnancy differently, feeling she can only move forward once her pregnancy is terminated. If she is ready, she can reach out to us, and we can support her with her return. This happens a lot, we inform people who are maybe not (yet) ready, but they know to find us whenever they are.
Whatever decisions these women make, it is always clear to me how strong and resilient they are. The Amsterdam Coordination Center for Human Trafficking receives these women, guides them and takes care of the children.”
Receptionist of family shelter the Roggeveen, Atmani Blok, also working as an artist, created three paintings for the hallways at the Children's Department.
