Maly’s Story

WARNING: this story may be inappropriate for children.

 

 

Maly was sold to a man, primarily for her virginity, at just 14 years old.

She was exploited and abused; by him and by other men he brought to where he kept her captive.
They sold her over and over.

When she was rescued and brought to the Hope for Justice Dream Home she was malnourished with multiple medical and psychological issues. Our team worked gently and professionally with her, earning her trust and beginning to help her.

As the trial of her trafficker approached, we learnt that the man was accused of abusing ten other girls besides Maly. Threats were made against Hope for Justice, yet Maly courageously refused to be intimidated out of testifying. She felt she had a safe home, at the Hope for Justice Dream Home, which gave her confidence.

As the trial dawned we learnt that the perpetrators had successfully intimidated all ten of the other girls. With no youth court and no protection in the courtroom, Maly – the lone witness – had to see the perpetrators in the aisle next to her.

She stood up in the witness booth,
refusing to be silenced.

She then went through every detail not only of the crimes committed against her but the crimes committed against the other girls too.

As a result of her bravery the perpetrator was sentenced to over 16 years in prison.

More survivor stories:

Amaya’s Story

Amaya was 14 when her family life went downhill and she was tricked into working at a Cambodian brothel. She was treated, she said, as if she wasn’t human. She was a slave.

Empty hands close up

Magdalene’s Story

Magdalene and each of her children were kept under lock and key. She was delivered every day to a factory where she worked gruelling 12 hour shifts. Every penny of her wages was paid into her trafficker’s bank account. Despite going without food herself, she still couldn’t feed her children with the meagre amount she was given.