Country
Modern slavery in Albania
2 documented cases recorded in Albania, 2006–2009. Locations are deliberately generalized to protect survivors.
Vlore, Albania, Albania
First, trafficker lured her in with an engagement ring and promise of a better life abroad. It started with a speedboat trip from Vlore, Albania to Italia, then finally to brothels in London and Antwerp, Belgium where she was forced to work as a prostitute for five years. (The ban on speedboats by the Albanian government three years ago, which greatly reduced human trafficking, has recently been reversed because of protests by fishermen and people in tourist industry) "It was only after her trafficker sealed her mouth with electrical tape, drugged her and threatened to kill her family that the childlike woman, now 27, says she realized that the man she had planned to marry had seduced her with a terrible lie." The victim reports that "the man who abducted her had gained her trust over months, then locked her in a room and took her passport and cellphone. She said he beat her and cut her with a penknife, a warning of what he would do if she tried to escape." Victim also reported that trafficker had contacts in each city they visited. She said the trafficker also employed a forger, who provided fake documents. "She thought she would finally be freed when her trafficker was arrested in London in 2006 and deported to Albania. Instead, she said, his brothers and their wives, who were in London, put her back to work in the sex trade."
Albania, Albania
Twoo people named Vanja and Damir. Damir was waiting for us.We followed Damir, who had our tickets and travel documents. He spoke with official and gave him something before we went into the ship and down many stairs. I thought we were near the engine - the smell of oil was very strong, also rotten food and the smell of clothes not washed in long time. He said for our safety he must lock the door but will return in the morning. Two of us had to share a bed, but only for one night and next day we shall come to Italy! The next morning we arrived in Bari. I asked him who they are, but the polite young man from my father's shop grab my arm and said something very bad in Albanian. He hit me on the face. I fell on the ground and he pulled me by hair into a room and hit me more than once until my face start bleeding. I did not understand what has happened. I heard other girls screaming. And then he raped me. Than the other men came in and did the same. After that event, each day the same men came again, and then the others, who paid money to be with us. If we said no, Damir would hit and kick us and gave us no food. He said THIS was modeling we must do for anyone they say. He paid for our passports and documents. They belong to him and to be without them in foreign country means going to prison if police find us. If we try escape, he and his friends will kill us and no one will ever know.