Case study: Priscilla trapped in horrendous cycle of abuse

“I have seen changes in my life. I was unable to make decisions for myself, before.

“Now I make my own decisions. I’m happy that I can do things by myself now.”

These are Priscilla’s words today. But it’s been a long journey to get here.

Orphaned at a young age, Priscilla* lived with her grandmother. She was unable to attend school as her grandmother couldn’t afford it and needed Priscilla’s help with chores.

Then, out of the blue, Priscilla was told that her grandmother had found work for her, had arranged a passport, and she was to be taken from her home country in West Africa to the UK.

Instead of enjoying a happy new life in Britain, she was trapped in a family’s private home, abused, and used as their slave. She lived in horrendous conditions for years until she finally managed to escape.

Not knowing where to go, she was forced to live on the streets – a lonely, hard and bitterly cold existence.

Because of what she had endured, her mental health deteriorated, she was sectioned and spent time in a psychiatric hospital before being referred to Unseen.

At the Unseen women’s safehouse, Priscilla was supported through the ongoing effects of her trauma.

There, she received trauma counselling and learning how to manage her medication.

She took part in regular relaxation sessions, music therapy, cooking and nutrition classes, all of which gave her mental health a boost.

As she felt more independent, Priscilla eventually moved out of the safehouse into the organisation’s Survivors in the

Community programme – the first time that Priscilla had lived alone for years.

Her caseworker, Daisy, supported her to build her confidence and encouraged her to start volunteering in her community.

Today, Priscilla has a busy life volunteering in a local charity shop, attending weekly English language classes, and seeing her small group of friends.

It has taken a long time for Priscilla to get to this point. Although still recovering, she is now moving on with her life.

* Name changed to protect Priscilla’s identity.

Criminals identify, target and exploit people who may be vulnerable. There’s no such thing as typical trafficking .. help stop it Supt Andrew Thomson