Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnian citizen shares her story of surviving trafficking.

I am 24 and this is my story. I was born in a very patriarchal family in central Bosnia. I was always told I was attractive and wanted to go out with my friends but my mom did not allow me to. When I was in the 3rd grade of the high school I was approached by a handsome guy and I was flattered that he was interested in me. The only way to spend some time with him was to skip classes. When my mom found it out, she beat me up and I was so furious that I decided to run away as I was already 18. He took me to a town where I was interviewed for a secretary job in a neighbouring country and I was so proud when they informed me the job was mine. My boyfriend drove me to the big city where my promising career was supposed to start. However, the moment I entered that hotel I realised that something was very wrong. I was ushered in a room where 3 dangerous looking men were sitting and they started scanning me. I was offered a drink and when I refused and said I would like to leave they started laughing. I was dragged to a room where I was raped by my boyfriend and two more men. I was screaming and begging them to stop and they brutally beat me up. When they were done with me they told me I had to work for them as a prostitute. I had to serve any man that was willing to pay for my body and if I was disobedient, I was beaten up but still had to be with men. Some of the men were also abusive. I managed to escape two times but they found me. I thought if I managed to find a police station, they would rescue me. The second time I managed to locate police but they just returned me to the hotel. I was punished so severe that I will suffer from nightmare until the rest of my life. After several months they informed me I was going to Italy. I heard them saying that they managed to get a good price for me in Italy. I thought I would never be able to see my family again, I would end up dead in Italy like many other girls from B&H and decided to run away again even if it meant to get killed. I found a police station and told them what happened. Luckily, they helped me and eventually I was sent back home, as my family never stopped looking for me. I completed my high school after some recovery time in a safe house and live now an isolated life now, as I am horrified that someone will find out what happened to me. Despite the fact that everyone keeps telling me I am a very strong person, the horror I survived has left permanent traces on me.

Data

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Resources

Organisations working on fighting trafficking and/or sexual exploitation

Association “Novi put”, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Phone +38761240934

Email: info@newroadbih.org

Website: www.newroadbih.org