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Ten months ago, 17-year-old Maya* was rescued from sex trafficking and a life of exploitation – now she has a chance at freedom. But what many don’t know is that her rescue almost didn’t happen.
It was made possible by another survivor—Nin*.
A decade earlier, Nin was just a teenager when she, too, was trafficked. Her journey to healing was long, but with ongoing support from Hagar, she slowly rebuilt her life. She received counselling to heal from trauma, legal assistance to seek justice, and the support of a caseworker who stood by her every step of the way.
But the impact of Nin’s recovery didn’t stop with her.
Over the years, her family became part of the healing process, learning how to recognise the signs of trafficking and protect vulnerable young women in their community.
Then, ten months ago, that knowledge changed everything.
Nin’s family noticed something was wrong. A Western man had been making contact with Maya, building trust and isolating her from her support network. They recognised the signs of grooming – a process traffickers use to manipulate and control their victims. One day, they saw an attempt to take Maya. They knew they had to act.
Because they had been equipped with the tools to spot trafficking tactics, they raised the alarm before it was too late. Their warning set off a chain of events that led to Maya’s rescue giving her the same chance at freedom that Nin once had.
Maya’s journey to healing is just beginning. The trauma she endured will take time to overcome. Like Nin, she will need counselling, medical care, and legal protection as she navigates life after exploitation.
But her story is a powerful reminder that when one survivor finds freedom, it can change the course of another’s life. Nin’s healing wasn’t just her own—it became a force for change, one that ultimately helped save Maya.
Now, Maya has the chance to begin again. And one day, just like Nin, her story may help save another.
