Supporting survivors in court

Two high-profile people have been given prison sentences this week for sex trafficking offences: R Kelly and Ghislaine Maxwell. We celebrate each time a perpetrator is brought to justice, but our thoughts are always with the survivors.

Court cases can often be laden with unnecessary trauma and prejudice for women survivors, as in the case of Melisa, one of the women we work with at Ella’s…

‘I’m afraid you’ve been caught out by the dates,’ said the judge to Melisa during a recent court appearance. Melisa is a survivor of trafficking and forced prostitution. ‘If you had lived one day of my life, you would understand why, and you would not speak to me this way,’ she replied. Like many of the women we work with, Melisa has memory loss as a result of the trauma she’s been through.

Survivor Melisa (left) with Marta, her Ella’s support worker. Photo: Tom Price/Ella’s

‘Women find it incredibly important for us to be alongside them during court cases,’ says Marta, Melisa’s support worker at Ella’s.

‘It can be so emotional and frustrating. There are times when I’m in tears as well as them. The system can be so unfair; it’s crucial they’re supported by someone they know and trust.’

Melisa is one of 13 survivors we’re helping through court cases at the moment. Some women are testifying against their traffickers, others are seeking asylum or trying to reunite with children they’ve lost.

As well as providing emotional support throughout, we accompany the women we work to legal appearances and appointments. We also help them understand the system and know their rights, and access high-quality legal advice and representation.

This is just one aspect of the tailored, one-to-one support we provide for women, but it’s an important one. Without it, many would be at risk of injustice, unfair deportation, further trauma and even prison.

We will keep fighting and hoping for all survivors to be treated with fairness, kindness and respect during court proceedings. But until this is the case, we’ll be there to support as many as we can.