Marcia* from South America - A case of human trafficking in Ireland.
All Marcia wanted was a brighter future for her son, and to support her parents as they got older. This is Marcia’s story.
My name is Marcia.* I was born in a large city in South America and I am 30 years old. I have one son who celebrated his eight birthday in January this year. I come from a family of simple, humble, hard-working people. I finished my studies at secondary school and went on to train and work as a hairdresser. I got my first job in a busy city centre salon.
I was in a relationship with the father of my son from when I was at school. But six months after the baby was born, things got difficult and we split up. After that, he went to work in the United States and I have not seen him since. From that time, I have been a single parent, bringing up my son on my own. I am so proud of my boy and so proud to be his mother.
Fernanda, a friend of mine, told me that she travelled to Europe for seasonal work and it worked really well for her. She said that if I was interested, she could probably put me in touch with the person who had helped her. That sounded like a great idea. If someone could put in a good word for me, that might help.
So, through Fernanda, I was put in touch with Ligia. We never met in person but we talked a lot on the phone. Ligia sorted out all the travel arrangements and the accommodation. I travelled to Ireland on a tourist visa. It was the first time I had ever left my country, so I was happy that someone helped with the planning. I arranged that my sister would look after my son.
As soon as I landed in Dublin airport, a taxi driver took me to a town in what I now know as the midlands of Ireland. He left me at the door of the apartment building. I had already got a message that the key to the apartment – number 3 - was in the hallway. It was. So I just went in and waited for what I was going to be told to do to do next.
My next instruction was a total and terrible shock to me. I was told over the phone that I had to do prostitution. I could not believe it. I was horrified, disgusted. Never in my life had I ever thought of doing that. Never. That was not me. It never would be. It was not the way I was raised. I instantly refused to do it. But Ligia said I had no choice. I was going nowhere until I had paid my debt. She made it clear that I had thousands to pay back: for the flights, what I owed her and the fee for Fernanda. Fernanda’s fee? That was the first I had heard of it.
I realized then, that Fernanda had tricked and sold me. I felt betrayed and unbelievably sad. I thought there was no escape, I owed so much money to Ligia, I I – and my family -would be tracked down and punished. Getting in contact with the police back home would be a waste of time, in my country, there is little chance that a person in a situation like mine would get protection from the authorities.
So I eventually had to accept – of at least live with - my dreadful new reality. Maybe this could be a quick way to put together the money I need for my business, I would tell myself. It will not be forever. I would get home eventually. I would be back with my child, my friends and family, my real life.
Some weeks after I started working for Ligia, I realized how little money I was actually able to keep for myself. I had to pay €700 every week for the rent; I had to hand over 50% of the money I got from clients. Then there was the cost of the ad for the website, taxis and food. I also had to pay back the debt I owed for the airfare and the money she had paid to Fernanda.
I was given instructions by phone and just had to go where I was told. I never saw Ligia or anyone, really. But I was controlled all the time. I was under surveillance and it was frightening. Ligia’s partner had connections with a drugs cartel. Someone knew if I was out and for how long. Someone was always constantly calling, always checking up…. I was probably being watched all the time.
“I felt depressed, angry, ashamed, dirty. It was my fault for being so stupid to get into all this.“
How would I start to get my life and my dignity back? Would I even get out alive? How would I survive and live my normal life again? Could I ever be happy again? Who could I ever trust again?
The decision I eventually made was just to run away. I’ll always remember the exact moment I walked into the Garda station.
What has Marcia’s story shown us?
Marcia’s story, and so many others like her, shows us ‘The Means’ of trafficking, the ways in which a trafficker coerces, deceives and manipulates someone into staying. Too afraid to leave, being forced to pay back ‘accumulated debt’ for travel, website fees, flights and accommodation. The recruiter knowing Marcia back in her home town, where she worked, details about her family made it all the more terrifying because there is that connection to your family.
Feelings of shame, that she somehow brought it on herself leading to depression and humiliation. A lack of trust in the authorities in her home country can lead to fear of contacting the authorities in Ireland.
Marcia’s story has been shared by Ruhama and re-created by Marcia’s caseworkers. *All names have been changed to protect identities. This story has been published with Ruhama’s permission.
To learn more about the services and assistance offered by Ruhama please visit www.ruhama.ie