Human trafficking in border provinces, including Lao Cai, Lai Chau and Dien Bien has become more and more complicated. Besides combating the crime, Lao Cai province is providing support for victims so that they can have their normal life back after dark days of being smuggled.
Ten days have gone by since this young woman escaped from her so-called “husband” from the other side the border. Despite being safe at the shelter in Lao Cai province, she still bursts out anytime she recalls the horrifying turn of her life when she was promised to a better job overseas. A guy she knew via Facebook fooled her and her two friends and sold them to human trafficker in March 2018.
Victim Mua Thi S: "They told me my life would be better if marrying a foreigner. My family is poor so I counted on them."
Apart from her, 14 other victims living at Lao Cai Shelter also used to live a rough life abroad. Thanks to the warm support from the shelter’s staff and also authorities, international organisations and sponsors, they are now moving step closer to the normal life.
Nguyen Thi Dung, staff of Lao Cai Shelter: "We greet victims of human trafficking as if they are our own blood."
Lao Cai received 103 victims in 2017 and 27 in the first half of this year. In order to support human trafficking victims in re-joining the society, the province has built a home for them and named it Shelter of Humanity. The Shelter has been operated since 2010 and successfully helped 162 victims reintegrate into the society.
Nguyen Tuong Long, Director of Provincial Department of Social Evil Prevention and Control: "After victims are assisted, most of them live well and do not be trafficked again. Some even has become activists fighting human trafficking."
Given the complicated situation of human trafficking in border areas, Lao Cai province has been boosting public awareness campaigns at all levels in order to prevent the crime.-VNA
