Samara was very young when she met the man who would betray her trust. After starting a romantic relationship with her, he forced her into commercial sexual exploitation and used emotional manipulation and violence to control her.

The perpetrator and his family subjected Samara to constant physical and verbal abuse. They restricted her from going outside without being guarded and took her ID papers. They even deprived her of food and proper housing.

After many years of exploitation, the traffickers decided Samara was no longer profitable for them. They kicked her out of the house with nowhere to go.

Back in Romania, Samara’s case reached a specialized human trafficking prosecutor. He referred Samara to IJM for legal services, medical services, therapy, material support and professional training courses.

The abusers were sentenced to up to five years in prison. The court also ordered moral damages in the form of compensation for Samara. Her case allowed IJM and partners to gain a valuable understanding of how cross-border trafficking with the UK operates, including the tactics traffickers use to control their victims.

Today, resilient Samara plans to open a flower shop and eventually become a pastry chef. She draws strength from her faith as she reflects on her experience.

“I think that, well, God really loves me,” Samara says. “If I was still with [the trafficker] now, I would be either sold or dead. Yes, God was by my side. God protected me.”