Antonia*, Romanian Trafficking Survivor, Awarded Compensation by UK Court
Sex Trafficking
Antonia*, a young Romanian woman who was trafficked to London for sexual exploitation and suffered brutal abuse, has just been awarded significant compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act.
IJM celebrates this momentous moment with Antonia* – which is significant because it’s vitally important, though not very common, for survivors of trafficking to receive compensation. This award is another milestone in her pursuit of justice, which follows on from the conviction of her traffickers as a result of her powerful testimony in court.
Sadly, there are no effective mechanisms to support victims once they leave the UK to secure this type of injury payment they deserve. This is a critical gap our teams have discovered which needs remedy and policy advocacy.
“We know there are thousands of victims who are sent home that are never made aware of their rights. They lose their right because they are never informed and there are no structures in place to help. This is a travesty and often happens as a structural additional violence against some of the most marginalized and exploited people. This needs to end,” said Shawn Kohl, the Director for Eastern and Central Europe for IJM.
"Today is a real win for justice and we’ll continue to support and stand alongside Antonia as she rebuilds her life.”
Learn more about IJM's work to combat cross-border trafficking in Romania
*A pseudonym and stock image have been used to protect this survivor's identity.