A Journey Through Human Trafficking, GBV&F and Survival
Dear survivors, conquerors, and those still trapped in the grip of a worldwide evil that grows with every breath we take, human trafficking. This disaster unfolds knowingly or unknowingly, sometimes at the hands of parents, family, spouses, siblings, or strangers. It is a network powerful enough to conceal the most vile and destructive deeds.
I share this today in the hope that you find strength in knowing you are not alone. You are not crazy. You are not going to quit. By the grace of God, with faith as small as a mustard seed, we shall prevail and witness the day when justice is delivered upon those whom the law has too often protected or partnered with.
This is the story of a survivor narrated by ACT Africa … Part 1.
The Beginning
Eighteen years ago, I met a man who seemed to fill the gaps in my life, and I his. Young, prosperous, kind but blind to the evils that surrounded us. My late family had always been my rock and fortress, and I believed love could heal brokenness.
We were two wounded souls, naïvely assuming we could fix each other. Young, free, and caught up in partying the worst combination for choosing a spouse. I helped him leave the nightlife, guided him toward church, and his parents adored me. I loved them dearly, as if they were my own.
But beneath the surface, there was no love. I was an investment, valued for what I could provide financially. He had waited for someone open‑handed, someone who would pay for everything. I had no idea what this sociopath had in store for me.
The Hidden Truth
Over time, I discovered that the stories he told of incest were not confined to cousins, they extended to siblings. These horrors unfolded in front of our children, orchestrated by his sister, who ran a human trafficking syndicate on a scale I could never have imagined.
My late mother‑in‑law’s words haunt me still: “Do not trust my daughter. Do not bring her near your children.” Only later did I realize the depth of her warning.
After enduring abuse, I tried to walk away. but my in‑laws convinced me to return “for the sake of the children.” I did, believing it was best for my first child. After my second baby, my mother‑in‑law pleaded: “Please be careful. Do not have more children.” Only years later did I understand what she meant.
I would also learn that in their culture, incest and relationships with minors were normalized, accepted, and covered up by families. The things parents conceal for their children and the devastating outcomes are unthinkable.
Signs I Missed
When I was pregnant with my first child, my husband withdrew completely. He refused intimacy, avoided sharing a room, and became violent. I did not yet realize the controlling, incestuous bond between him and his sister ran much deeper. She knew he was a paedophile.
I noticed how he showered his sister and her toddler daughter with expensive gifts, while neglecting his own child. His sister used herself and her daughter as tools to control him. My loving in‑laws believed marriage could “fix” him, but even they were powerless against her influence.
Late‑night disappearances, secretive behaviour, and disturbing signs began to surface. My daughter later disclosed that she was taken out of the house at midnight with him. I began to suspect the worst.
One night, I walked in unexpectedly. He slammed his laptop shut, his heart racing. If it had been ordinary pornography, he would not have reacted that way. I began to fear the truth: child pornography.
Even the way he kissed our baby felt wrong, too intense, too much like a man kissing a woman. I tried to dismiss it as fatherly affection. But deep down, I knew.
A Call to Rise
This is only the beginning of my story.
We did not come this far to give up. We did not lose everything, even our dignity, just to surrender now.
I say to you: rise up and fight with us. Together, let us ACT as only we can. We have changed history before; we can stop this evil from spreading further.
Stay tuned for Part 2.…
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