A voice against human trafficking in Bulgaria | I don’t want to anymore | Open day

Newsletter

Speak out against silence

Human trafficking.

We often hear about it in terms of figures and statistics. But behind every number lies a person. A life. A story. A struggle for survival. This is one such story. Not from a bystander, but from Katherine, who experienced it herself.

Katherine* worked in the Red Light District for 3.5 years. She thought there was no way out, until she came to know God through the people from Bright Fame who crossed her path. People who didn’t look away, but actually came to her. They didn’t judge her. They didn’t give up on her. They kept coming back. Sometimes just for a chat or some practical help. But always with the same message: ‘You haven’t been forgotten’.

Those small moments made a big difference. During that time, she prayed: “Why am I here? How do I get out of this?” And she sensed God speaking: “Rejoice. I am going to use you. I will bring you out of this.” She had to wait. Trust. Until, at the end of 2019, she knew: this is the moment to leave. She took the plunge, working closely with the team at BF & Frits. They gave her the strength to take that first step. Away from a system of exploitation. Shortly afterwards, everything went into lockdown. She was baptised, found new people around her and rediscovered her worth. The initial period that followed was tough. She struggled with depression, panic attacks and trauma. But, step by step, recovery began.

And she held on to one promise: “My dream is to see women quitting this work.”

The greatest struggle took place within her. A struggle against fear, shame and the feeling of being worthless. Recovery took years. Years of building trust, self-esteem and a new life. Today she can share her story and bring hope through it. “I can’t forget it,” she says. “I can’t forget the women. Not the children. The people who are still trapped.” And that is precisely why she is going back. Not to dwell on the past, but to show others: there is a way out. “I was in that situation too, but I managed to get out.”

Why this story needs to be told. This week, Frits Rouvoet visited Bulgaria. For years, he has been taking to the streets to meet women trapped in human trafficking and sexual exploitation. He listens. He encourages. He reminds them that they have not been forgotten. During his visit, he spoke with government officials, churches and organisations. And what stood out was that people listened. There was genuine interest. Questions. A desire to understand. That is where change begins.

Human trafficking often feels like something far away. But it isn’t. Many women who end up in prostitution in Western Europe come from countries such as Bulgaria and Romania. Their story does not begin here. It begins much earlier. In poverty, broken families, violence and a lack of protection. Sometimes from a very young age. Girls as young as 11 or 12. This is the reality. And yet, it is often met with silence. Even in churches in our own communities. We don’t talk about it. We look the other way.

We think: ‘This isn’t our problem’. But it is precisely that silence that allows the problem to persist. Change begins with a dissenting voice. A voice that says: ‘This isn’t normal’.

This must not remain hidden and must be discussed. Because as long as we remain silent, victims remain invisible. That is why we believe: One conversation can make a difference. One encounter can bring hope. One person who keeps coming back can change a life. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”
– 1 Corinthians 3:6

Sometimes your role is small. But never unimportant. Human trafficking does not stop by itself. It stops when people stand up. When people speak out. When people take action. Are you that dissenting voice? Talk about this issue. Share this story. Support organisations working on the streets. Be a voice for those who have no voice.
Together we can make a difference. Shoulder to shoulder.

Thank you for your commitment to our work; pray that justice may prevail in the lives of the women and children who are still trapped in human trafficking.

I can’t take it anymore…

For days now, that single thought has been running through her mind. I can’t take it anymore. I can’t go on… It’s all becoming too much for her: the stares from men, the cutting words, the things she is forced to endure. More and more often she asks herself: What am I doing? She misses her homeland. Her children. Life here feels empty. Seven days a week she stands behind the window, until late into the night.

And then… home. Sleep, if she can. This work takes its toll. And yet that one question keeps gnawing at her: But how? How do I get out of this? How do I pay my bills? Where should I go? On a Thursday evening, we meet her, Adriana. At first glance, everything seems fine. “Hi, how are you?” “Fine,” she says. But a little later, she beckons us into her little room. And there… she breaks down.

The words pour out, but so do the tears. She is tired. Exhausted. At her wits’ end. We were there at exactly the right moment. For the first time in a long while, there is space to talk. To share. Just to be human for a moment. With us, her words are safe.

We listen. Without judgement. We pray with her. And we invite her to come to our office so we can look ahead together. Towards possibilities. Towards hope. Through our network, we find an organisation in her home country that can help her. A new step. A new beginning.

This is one story. But there are so many more. Women who know deep down: This is not the life I want. Women who long to break free — but don’t know how. Women who need someone to stand by their side and say: You are more than this. Our staff are here to support them. A listening ear. A hand on their shoulder. A heart free from judgement. Every woman deserves attention, care and a fair chance. Because no two stories are the same, a personalised approach is essential. And that is exactly where we want to be there for them.

*Adriana is not her real name.

Bright Fame Open Day

Have you always wanted to take a look around our office? Then come to our open day on Saturday 30 May! Enjoy a delicious coffee (or something else) in our cosy drop-in lounge. Join us on a city walk and hear more about our work. Or recommend someone who would definitely be interested but isn’t yet familiar with our work.

Please register via info@brightfame.nl
Maximum number of participants is 20.
Time: 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm (doors open from 1.30 pm)