Unbreakable: Survivor Stories

After moving to Holland as a child with her mother, Ilja experienced psychological, sexual and physical abuse. At 14, she was sent into care. During this time she fell into a debt bondage trap with a local gang and found herself coerced into sex work. Ilja was trafficked around Holland where she experienced rape, forced labour and violence. Eventually, she escaped and lives today to tell her story.

Hibo was born in Somalia and remembers her early years as the happiest of her life. Everything changed when she underwent female genital mutilation at the age of six. Hibo suffered physical and emotional trauma from the event. It was only at the age of 18, when civil war broke out in Somalia, that Hibo was able to come to England as an asylum seeker and begin the process of healing. Today, she speaks out against the practice.

Sosa was born in Nigeria. Abandoned by his mother at the age of 2, he was brought over to the UK to live with his father and abusive stepmother. After being sent into care at the age of 8, Sosa found himself embroiled with local gang members. By the age of 11, he wassmuggling guns and selling crack cocaine. His first time in prison was at just 13 years old. It would be another five years before Sosa would be identified as a victim of human trafficking by his immigration solicitor. Today, he is an activist against child trafficking and an educator on the causes of gang crime.

Lejla fled genocide in Eastern Europe as a child. After settling in London with her family, Lejla grew up in a home where domestic violence and misogyny were rife. In her early 20's she fell into a relationship with a violent and coercive abuser. At first, he was loving, but their relationship quickly turned toxic. It would take 8 years before she was able to escape. Today Lejla lives to tell her story and empower other women who have been abused by their partners.

When Rob attended a local university drama club, he met a vivacious woman called Victoria. They quickly fell into an intense relationship. Over the years Victoria would become worryingly controlling and manipulative. It was only after the birth of their child that Rob realised he had to leave. That's when the attempts on his life started. In a bid to stop Rob from having custody of their child, Victoria falsely accused Rob of being a paedophile drug dealer and attempted to hire four men to kill him. Victoria ended up in prison, and Rob was finally able to be free from years of emotional abuse and fear.

As a child, Nina was abused and ostracised by her family for being born a girl. At the age of 14, Nina was gang raped by her father and his friends. A year later she was forced to marry the son of one of the men who raped her. Living with her in-law's home, she experienced severe sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of her mother and father-in-law. In a bid to escape, Nina went back to her family home. Angered by her return, Nina's parents and brother attempted an honour killing. After a severe beating, Nina managed to escape. Today, she is a life coach, activist and advocate for the power of self-love.