CPTnet
18 October 2012
COLOMBIA: Because she is a woman!

by Ramyar Hassani

Gloria, a leader and organizer from the Popular Women’s Organization (OFP), and I responded to an emergency accompaniment request. Minutes before calling CPT, Gloria had received a call from a friend at social services asking for support for a young woman who was attempting to flee from a situation of sexual slavery.

Yasmin* shared with us her story at the Prosecutor General’s office.

“I am from Medellin, but live in Bogota. I have a child, and no family to support me. I have a mother but.... I got an offer to work in Barranca in a family home, but when I arrived I realized it was a brothel.” She explained that on fleeing the brothel, she went to one of the small shops close to the bus station where the owner, a woman, helped her get to the police station. From there she was directed to the Prosecutor General’s Office.

After filing a report, Yasmin decided she wanted to travel to Bucaramanga where she would be safer. Gloria and I went with her to the bus station and she and Gloria exchanged contact information.

As an organization, the OFP tries to document and follow up on these cases and provide support or accompaniment to victims who are under continued danger or threat. If the person needs to travel to another city, they provide contacts at the destination. Unfortunately, most victims do not have access to accompaniment from organizations like the OFP.

After buying her bus ticket, we returned to the shop to pick up Yasmin’s bag. “Hola amiga! que tal?” the shopkeeper’s daughter said with a mix of concern and happiness. After hugs, Gloria thanked them for their kindness and gave them her phone number. Shopkeepers close to the bus station often notice these kinds of situations.

Gloria and the bus driver exchanged phone numbers before the evening trip to keep in touch and confirm Yasmin’s safe arrival.

Yasmin said good-bye, her sense of happiness for her immediate safety tempered by the constant danger she faces just because she is a woman!

*not her real name