Dubai foundation helps victims of human trafficking

A social worker and a ward of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children walk in the shelter’s courtyard in July 2008. There has been a 75 per cent decline in the number of human-trafficking victims. Nicole Hill / The NationalShow less

ABU DHABI // Eighteen foreign victims of human traffickers were cared for and sheltered by the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children this year.

There had been a 75 per cent decline in the number of such victims, said Afra Al Basti, the foundation’s director general.

In the first half of the year, the Dubai Police referred three victims to the foundation.

The trio, aged 21 to 26, were abused sexually, physically, verbally and emotionally. One was also harmed financially.

Two of them were supposed to be smuggled out of the UAE. One of them was promised a job in a beauty salon by an unknown person, while the other was promised work as a babysitter by a friend.

The third victim, who was working as a maid in the UAE, was told she would be employed elsewhere with a higher salary by an unknown person.

Psychologists evaluated the trio before planning rehabilitation schemes for each of them.

The foundation’s wards receive its healthcare treatments or they receive such treatments at home.