Human Trafficking Victims Open Their Hearts To MCAST Students As They Get Their Hair Done
Six victims of human trafficking and severe domestic violence who reside at the Dar Merħba Bik shelter were treated to a hairdressing session this morning by MCAST’s community service students.
During the unique event, which was organised by parliamentary secretary for reforms Julia Farrugia Portelli and MCAST ahead of International Women’s Day next week, the victims got a chance to speak to the students about their harrowing experiences.
Parliamentary secretary Julia Farrugia Portelli (second from left) organised the hairdressing event
Three months ago, the national social welfare agency Appoġġ warned its shelters are packed to the brim with 18 victims of human trafficking, who came to Malta to work as chefs, waitresses or baby sitters but who ended up forced to work in awful conditions and with their passports seized from them to prevent their immigration. With salaries as low as €500 a month, some had no option but to work as prostitutes in massage parlours.