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After the horrific experience of trafficking, most victims suffer from various traumas; insomnia, depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress, personality disorder, neurotic disorder, and so on. Therefore, psychological intervention requires specific techniques, talents, patience and professional experience in order to restore the beneficiaries’ confidence and self-esteem. Trained psychologists and social workers are always available at the Centre to support beneficiaries through individual counseling or group therapy sessions. Treatment begins with a professional assessment of the beneficiaries’ mental health situation and is followed by the development of a plan for recovery and reintegration.
Ileana is a victim of trafficking who was sexually exploited and forced to beg in Russia. She was recruited in 2005 by a friend of hers, a former class mate, who promised a job for her in Russia. After two years of exploitation in Russia, Ileana succeeded to escape and was homeless for a while. It took her three months to return home to Moldova. When she turned up without any identification cards at the Moldovan border, the border guards contacted an NGO in Odessa, who referred the case to IOM. Ileana was picked up by IOM and escorted to the Centre by a social assistant, where she was received in September 2008. She was diagnosed as suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and received necessary psychological treatment.
This trafficking trauma was accompanied by another trauma from childhood. Ileana lost her parents at the age of 13 and was placed in a residential institution/boarding school. She had no positive examples to follow, as her older sister was a prostitute who suggested for Ileana to do the same. Ileana can be characterized as having emotional instability, incapacity of decision making, lack of self-trust and trust in other people.
After three months of treatment provided with the support of this program, Ileana is feeling better, appears to be more confident and more secure, and is making plans for the future. She wants to receive professional training and wants to have her own home. However, this is not realistic as she is still dependent on humanitarian aid. At the present moment, Ileana is living with her sister and trying to build a new relationship with her. In the near future she will begin some professional development courses.
A Donation of $50 will provide victims like Ileana with one month of food or hygienic goods
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All photos credit: © Dana Popa
Disclaimer: The names in these stories have been changed to protect the identities of IOM beneficiaries. The people appearing in these photographs are IOM beneficiaries, but not the individuals mentioned in these stories.
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