Caritas Ukraine are one of the largest Ukrainian organisations providing emergency aid to Ukrainians affected by the war. In addition to this large-scale humanitarian response, Caritas’ anti-trafficking team raises awareness about the dangers of human trafficking among people who are particularly at-risk. This includes internally displaced persons living in temporary accommodation or students about to graduate high school. When they identify survivors of trafficking, they carefully assess the needs of each survivor and then provide in-depth, long-term support to help them rebuild their lives.
Natalia Holynska, Anti-Trafficking Project Manager at CAFOD partner Caritas Ukraine, tells us how they are supporting women who have survived sex trafficking during the war to rebuild their lives:
“It is generally believed that support [for people affected by the war] should focus on addressing basic needs: shelter, food, sanitation, hygiene and heating. At Caritas we do provide this assistance.
“However, if [we] delve deeper into the lives of some of these individuals, into their stories and the challenges they have faced, we find that many have been exploited and suffered from traumatic experiences.
“As a result, they may require psychological support, treatment, a path to recovery, and the opportunity to start a business of their own. … It brings immense joy to our hearts when we hear people say: ‘I’ve started a new life.’”
It is through this patient, tailored approach that people are able to process the trauma of their experiences and restart their lives.
Today, Yulia feels safe and well. She lives in a government shelter for women and works as an administrator for a clothing salesroom in Kyiv. Although Yulia’s salary is not high, she is saving money so she can rent her own place in the future. Yulia is very fond of animals and children. She dreams of getting her higher education and working as a nanny or kindergarten teacher.
Caritas Ukraine’ support to Yulia has now come to an end, but Caritas specialists continue to keep in touch with her and follow the court case against her exploiters.
When we last talked to Yulia, she said:
"I dream of living freely, without fear, confidently and walking around my beloved city of Kyiv."
