Elena

As a little girl I didn't have a safe home. I learned early on that I can't trust anyone. When I was removed from home I ended up in an institution. As a young teenager I had a friend who eventually forced me to work in prostitution. When I was older I was taken to Belgium by someone else. I worked for him for years and made a lot of money. I loved him and I hated him. He hit me and protected me. I always tried to do everything I could so that he didn't get angry and that he was nice and liked me. When I got pregnant I wanted to stop but he told me to have an abortion. I didn't want that. When I got Cherut's phone number, I started texting someone on the team. Step by step I started making plans for a different life, out of prostitution. Looking back now, it was very difficult. Not easy... But I'm starting to get to know myself more. I am starting to believe in myself and have new dreams.

Joyce

The journey through the desert to Libya and then by boat to Italy was terrible. I saw people die on the way. A woman next to me drowned in the water. In Italy I had to call a phone number. My madam would then tell me what to do. She took me to an apartment where there were other girls. That same night I had to work on the street. It was a big shock, I couldn't help but do what she told me. Here I had to earn money to pay off the debt, she said. After a year I ran away with another girl. Arriving in Belgium I was looking for a place to sleep and work. But in the end all there was for me was back into prostitution. When I got to know people from Cherut, I eventually stopped. I got a free room and social worker that support me and really listened to me. A lawyer helps me to get papers and I follow a work experience trajectory. I am proud of myself for the steps I have already taken.