When Carmen* escaped her trafficker, she believed she had finally found freedom. But almost immediately, she was pulled into a different battle—this time, with the legal justice system.
Several years before, Carmen and her three children had migrated to Colombia from their home in Venezuela. After a life scarred by abuse, Carmen hoped that this move would bring about a fresh start for her family. Instead, she fell into the hands of a pimp. This man not only profited from Carmen’s body but also coerced her into smuggling drugs into prison. So when she finally escaped his control, the law saw her as a criminal rather than a victim.
Now, Carmen faced the terrifying prospect of being imprisoned for a crime she had been forced to commit. Her young children were on the brink of losing their mother, along with the stability that only she could provide. Thankfully, Carmen didn’t have to fight this legal battle alone.
An Atlas Free Network Member heard of Carmen’s situation, and recognized that far from being a drug trafficker, Carmen herself had been trafficked. The Network Member’s legal team took on Carmen’s case, meticulously documenting every detail of her life in Colombia. This research allowed them to expose how Carmen’s trafficker had coerced her into drug smuggling by threatening her and her children’s safety.
After months in court, the fight finally came to an end: the judge dismissed all charges and ordered Carmen’s criminal record wiped clean. She was finally free.
With the Network Member’s help, Carmen completed her high school degree, and is now training to be an administrative assistant. Thanks to Atlas Free donors around the world, she and her children have found the fresh start they were searching for. You can help other women like Carmen find freedom when you give to Atlas Free.
*Name changed to protect the identity of the survivor.
