Breaking cycles of exploitation
Linda’s story of violence, cruelty and exploitation spans more than 20 years. It started in the country where she was born, when she was a young teacher.
Linda uncovered some vile corruption and abuse of young people and women that was affecting the school children she worked with as well as her close family. She joined a women’s action group to try and stop the abuse, but the corruption was widespread and the criminals they fought were powerful.
A large number of people involved lost their lives. Linda was repeatedly attacked and tortured, and she and her family received death threats.
In an effort to protect her family and not be silenced, Linda went on the run. At times she thought she’d got away, but they found her. At one point, she was kidnapped, drugged and abused.
Linda is recovering in one of our safe houses following many years of trauma.
Betrayed
Eventually, Linda escaped and a charity helped her fly to the UK, where she went to the authorities to claim asylum.
Things should have got better, but instead they got worse when Linda was betrayed by someone claiming to be helping her.
‘All of my documents were taken away from me and I was trapped. I was forced to be a servant in the house, and was abused in many ways,’ says Linda.
‘I don’t even really know how it happened, but in trying to stop other people from being trafficked and exploited, I myself became trafficked and exploited. Again I managed to escape, but I couldn’t trust anyone, so I became street homeless. It felt like the safest option. I felt hopeless, like this cycle would never end. I felt like ending my life.’
A safe place
Linda came to Ella’s after being attacked sleeping rough.
‘When I arrived at the Ella’s house, it was so beautiful and so welcoming. When I walked into my room, I just burst into tears, I was thanking God for days and days after,’ says Linda.
‘My support worker at Ella’s is amazing, I’ve never known this kind of support before.’
‘I feel a lot of guilt, at being alive when others are not… But I also feel a lot of gratitude that I have survived. Ella’s are helping me work through these feelings and move forward with life.’
‘I am wishing and praying that other women are able to find a place like Ella’s.’
“When I arrived at the Ella’s house, it was so beautiful and so welcoming... I was thanking God for days and days after. I’ve never known this kind of support before.”
Support our work if you can, and help unlock lasting freedom among amazing women like Linda. Thank you.