The job agency promised me a salary. I ended up working 14 hours a day in a demolition site. We slept in a garage, with no heating. We thought we would get paid eventually.
Read all storiesI was only 8, and on my own. They made me beg and steal. I didn’t do it for fun. I only wanted to be protected.
Read all storiesI fell in love. It was just like a fairy tale. Then one day my loverboy asked me to have paid sex with his friend.
Read morePayoke is a non-governmental organization that fights against the trading and exploitation of people.
We are one of the three government recognized shelters and support centres for victims of human trafficking in Belgium. Victims of human trafficking are women, men and children recruited for the purpose of exploitation in prostitution, labour, begging, forced criminal activities and organ trafficking.
The job agency promised me a salary.
I ended up working 14 hours a day in a demolition site.
We slept in a garage, with no heating. We thought we would get paid eventually.
My chores seemed endless.
I had to clean the house from top to bottom.
After 20 hours I wasn’t done yet. I had to eat my boss’ leftovers or scavenge through the trash.
Payoke is one of the three support centres authorized by the Belgian government to assist victims of human trafficking. The program we offer, lasting two to three years, is designed to support the victim from first response to the end of the judicial proceedings.
We work with each victim to develop an individual plan that helps them access their rights and rebuild their future. We offer our clients legal and administrative assistance and psychological counselling, we help them consider options for continuing education, vocational training and job placement.
Payoke runs awareness-raising initiatives and campaigns encouraging involvement from governments, civil society and individuals to inspire action and help prevent modern slavery.