I’m tired. So very tired. It’s not the first time I’ve felt like there’s no place in this world for me. I know that thought isn’t fair, but it’s always there — especially when I think back to those years that were stolen from me, piece by piece. This October cold reminds me of those nights when the wolves came for the sheep. I don’t even know why I always make that comparison — it’s just how I felt. I was the sheep. They were the wolves. Only, unlike the sheep, I didn’t have a shepherd to protect me. I was alone. Completely alone. Now I’m here, wrapped in a blanket, sitting in a warm, quiet room. But inside me, it still rains. It doesn’t go away, no matter how hard I try. And it hurts — differently now, but it still hurts. I never thought I’d be able to talk about it. Every time I close my eyes, I go back there — to that place, in the cold, left alone, my screams vanishing into the night. He had hurt me before, but back then I was too young to understand. He knew I had no one. My mother worked wherever she could, and exhaustion — and the drinking — made her forget she even had a child. My father was gone. He took advantage of that, again and again. He beat me until I could barely move. I was just a body that breathed. He’d snap over nothing, turn into a monster the moment he saw me. I still remember the numbness, the metallic taste of blood… and the moment he dragged me toward the car. He took me to a remote sheepfold. And there, he and others like him did unspeakable things to me. They didn’t let me die — that was the only mercy. For two weeks, I lived through hell — forced to work by day and endure unimaginable pain by night. I didn’t know if I’d live to see the next morning. I learned only to survive — and to stay silent. Somehow, I escaped. I don’t even know how. If I had stayed one more night, I don’t think I’d be alive today. But he found me again, later. And once more, the torment started — this time with others, laughing, humiliating, destroying what was left of me.I know what hell looks like. Sometimes it lives inside people who prey on your weakness. I felt it on my skin. But I don’t want to talk about him anymore. I’m tired of telling that story. I want to tell mine. Because now, I’m okay. Someone heard what happened to me. Someone cared. You see, my mother’s drinking cost her the right to be my guardian. A stranger — a woman with kind eyes — told the police about me. I think God sent her. She said she was part of an “assistance team.” [1]. I didn’t know what that meant, but she and her colleague were the first people who showed me that the world still had gentle hearts. They took me to a safe place. I cried when I saw it — quiet, warm, clean. At first, the silence scared me. It was too foreign. They offered me tea, asked me questions, told me I could speak freely. And as I spoke, it felt like the air itself was tearing apart from the weight of my words. During the hearing, I told everything. Every word felt like being torn open. But I knew I had to speak — for justice, and for myself. The process was long and painful, but those women — my psychologist and my lawyer, I later learned — stayed by my side. They helped me heal, piece by piece. Eventually, I was moved to a special center, a safe home. The women there helped me rebuild myself, to trust again, to believe I deserved peace. I thank God every day for them. At the Center, I’ve learned new things, rediscovered myself, and found kindness again. I took a makeup course, and now I’m planning to go to vocational school to become a chef. The staff believe in me — and slowly, I’ve started to believe it too. I’ve started to believe that I am more than what was done to me. A few months ago, in March, justice was served. The three men who destroyed my childhood were sentenced to long prison terms — one for 19 years, the others for 25. It doesn’t erase what happened, but at least I know they can’t hurt anyone else. My name is Mihaela. This is my story of resilience. If you’ve read this far, please consider supporting the Assistance Team that helped me — and continues to help other children like me find justice and safety. Your contribution will help the psychologist who still visits me, helping me grow into an adult who lives without fear, in safety, with confidence, and hope. Note: This story is based on real events. [1] The Child Assistance Team (EAC) operates within the International Center “La Strada.”

Unlike other days, that Tuesday morning seemed quieter. The counselors’ shift had just changed, and the office had come alive with that familiar energy — of care, composure, and attentiveness — that fills every corner of the small space of the Women’s and Girls’ Trust Line. A call from that morning was about to leave a deep mark on us and stay with us for a long time. On the other end of the line was M.’s father, desperate, searching for justice for his daughter. “Nobody does anything. Please, help us,” he told us, his voice trembling. M. was his only daughter. Young, with big dreams — dreams that were shattered that morning. She had just regained consciousness. Not on the night of the rape, when fragments of the events had slipped from memory, but in the morning, when the cruel reality revealed itself in all its pain, and a profound numbness took over her body, as if time had stopped and her world had ceased to exist. That same day, she was hospitalized, where doctors intervened on her uterus and gynecological area, trying to ease her physical pain. We found her at the hospital. She was very weak. In our first conversation, M. could partially recount what had happened to her. She felt a deep shame in recalling that night which had completely changed her life. With the support of our lawyer and psychologist, we stood by her. In that state of helplessness and weakness, lying in her hospital bed, she still couldn’t argue or resist, but she felt — perhaps for the first time — that she was not alone. Right there, in the hospital ward, on that same day, the first legal hearings took place in the presence of specialists. Afterward, M. continued her rehabilitation, while we worked in offices to defend her interests and seek justice for her. What followed was a time full of trials, with difficult days and nights where fear and shame seemed endless — but also with moments when courage began to sprout. The lawyer stood by her at every step — at the police station, during hearings, in court sessions — driven by the will to defend her rights and to assure her that justice exists. The psychologist walked the same path, guiding her through her family’s resistance and her own fears, helping her to regain confidence and rebuild the fragments of broken relationships. Along the way, hidden vulnerabilities surfaced, making her feel even more ashamed and silent. And as every journey is filled with challenges, the greatest one in this story was for her to believe that her family could accept her, in a small community where everyone already knew the horror of that night. The challenges, however, kept coming. On one hand, she was the daughter of two teachers, raised in an educated, respectful family; on the other, the perpetrators came from influential backgrounds — people with authority, capable of shaping decisions and altering important processes. As the obstacles that seemed insurmountable grew, so did the strength of our team’s actions. Our support continued until the sentence was pronounced, when the court convicted all the perpetrators who had taken part in her ordeal. Some time after assisting M. and her father, another young woman came to our attention: A., who, like M., had been the victim of rape — this time by someone she trusted. A. had thought more than once about ending her life; she no longer had the strength to be strong for herself. When asked what had made her speak out loud about what she was going through, A. told us that after the rape, she had discovered on social media the account of another young woman who knew, from her own experience, what rape, shame, and blame felt like. She had received all the encouragement she needed. Sometimes, our role goes beyond the label of “protocol specialists.” We become that invisible shoulder that gives strength to a heart to keep going. If you are a victim of abuse or know someone who is, call the Women’s and Girls’ Trust Line – 0 8008 8008. Help is always near, free, and confidential.

On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the International Center “La Strada” reaffirms the systemic failure of the Republic of Moldova in its national response to human trafficking. In its most recent report published this June, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) confirmed multiple gaps in the implementation of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The authorities’ response is described as fragmented and poorly adapted to the real needs of the most vulnerable. GRETA highlighted priority areas requiring urgent intervention by the authorities, including: Preventing the exploitation of children in residential institutions and exploitation through agricultural labor; Identifying victims of human trafficking, in particular victims of labor exploitation and victims among asylum seekers or foreign migrants; Providing long-term assistance to victims and supporting their reintegration into society, including through access to the labor market and social services; Ensuring that all victims of human trafficking have effective access to public healthcare by including them among the vulnerable groups covered by medical insurance. Ensuring prompt investigation and effective prosecution leading to proportionate and dissuasive sanctions, as well as trials within a reasonable time frame, in line with the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights (Article 6 §1 of the ECHR) and standards set by the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ), among others. Earlier this year, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) condemned the Republic of Moldova for the ineffective investigation of a forced labor and sexual abuse complaint committed by a foster family where a woman with intellectual disabilities had been placed following her deinstitutionalization from a neuropsychiatric residential facility (I.C. v. the Republic of Moldova). The ECtHR found that the state had failed to prevent trafficking and exploitation risks. Although the specific circumstances of the case indicated a credible suspicion that the applicant might have been a victim of human trafficking or other forms of exploitation, the authorities failed to prevent such risks. The investigation was superficial, ignoring the coercive context and the applicant’s vulnerability. Prosecutors failed to examine alternative offences, even though the facts described by the applicant did not meet all the elements of the human trafficking offence. This case is not unique. In the past five years, 935 human trafficking victims have been identified in the Republic of Moldova. Most come from extremely vulnerable backgrounds – impoverished rural areas, dysfunctional families, residential centers for people with disabilities, the unemployed, or struggling migrants. During this period, the International Center “La Strada” has recorded 331 calls concerning suspected trafficking and exploitation cases affecting 525 persons, and has provided psychological and legal assistance to 73 child trafficking victims. The experience of the International Center “La Strada” in the field of anti-trafficking confirms the following systemic issues: Human trafficking is deeply affected by recent migration trends and the impact of technology, which change the way the phenomenon manifests itself. This creates challenges for classifying offences and collecting evidence. Lengthy investigations and delayed court proceedings are used as a defense strategy. In many cases, especially those involving multiple defendants, the defense deliberately uses various tactics to prolong trials, undermining victims’ trust in justice and exposing them to stereotypes and prejudice. Human trafficking and child trafficking cases are often identified too late. In some cases, minor victims were identified only after five years of sexual exploitation. National authorities have limited capacity to respond to cases of human trafficking involving foreign migrants identified on Moldovan territory. On the occasion of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on 30 July, the International Center “La Strada” calls on the Government to adopt a comprehensive approach to addressing the violations found in I.C. v. Moldova and preventing future violations. When developing the action plan to implement this judgment, we urge the Government to take into account GRETA’s findings in this field. In the context of institutional reforms eliminating the specialization of law enforcement and the judiciary in investigating and adjudicating human trafficking cases, we call on the authorities to urgently undertake the following actions: Develop a dynamic analysis of human trafficking, focusing on new trends and challenges; Conduct an impact assessment of reforms in law enforcement and the judiciary in the anti-trafficking field, taking into account international recommendations, including those set out in Directive 2011/36/EU of the European Parliament; Provide training to all police officers within the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the National Inspectorate of Investigations and territorial police inspectors on investigating human trafficking offences and applying a victim-centered approach, including in cases of non-commercial sexual exploitation; Develop and circulate guidelines/instructions on efficient investigation and evidence examination procedures in human trafficking cases, including recommendations on the role and involvement of other professionals supporting victims (escorts, psychologists, etc.). The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed annually on 30 July, as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 68/192 of 18 December 2013.

The International Center “La Strada” strongly condemns the repeated attempts by Dima White to “cleanse” his public image and create the illusion of improved moral character as a strategy to obtain a more lenient sentence. Over the past two years, Dima White has employed various tactics to project a positive public persona in an effort to mitigate his potential punishment. Meanwhile, during this same period, the individuals harmed by this young perpetrator have been undergoing a difficult rehabilitation process with the support of psychological and legal assistance. In stark contrast, the vlogger has continued to rebuild his public image through charitable acts, the creation of positive content on TikTok, and other activities aimed at downplaying the severity of his actions and manipulating public opinion. These efforts appear to be part of a broader strategy to secure a lighter sentence and minimize the reputational damage caused by the serious allegations, especially considering that there is still no final judgment in the case. This is not the first time sexual offenders have employed such tactics in court, often presenting positive character references from individuals in positions of authority or trust, such as priests or mayors. These actions do not erase the crimes committed. On the contrary, they diminish their perceived severity in the eyes of the public and send a dangerous message to society at large: that sexual assault can be excused if the perpetrator has enough influence or public visibility. The circulation of footage showing Dima White receiving a blessing from the Metropolitan of Moldova — without any reference to the ongoing criminal case — not only provides public validation for an alleged offender but can also be interpreted as a form of absolution or forgiveness before justice has had the chance to be served. In a society where, tragically, a child is sexually abused every day, and where moral institutions — religious, cultural, or educational — are among the most trusted by the population, such gestures risk sowing moral confusion and perpetuating a culture of silence and impunity. Women and children who have suffered abuse deserve support, validation, and safety—not messages that call the severity of their trauma into question. We reiterate the following: A perpetrator’s positive traits, charitable actions after the fact, or public image do not erase the abuse committed against a child. Rather, they reveal the perpetrator’s desperation to escape accountability. Sexual abuse is a criminal act — not a “mistake” that can be overlooked. Every act of abuse must be punished in a way that deters future crimes. Public support for aggressors only deepens the trauma experienced by victims. The trauma endured by victims — the fear, sleepless nights, shame, and despair — requires years of recovery, substantial financial resources for therapy, and often results in serious relationship difficulties. These consequences cannot be “washed away” by any post-crime positive behavior of the abuser. We call on all public and moral institutions in the Republic of Moldova to refrain from actions that could be interpreted as tacit support for aggressors, regardless of their social status or popularity. It is our collective responsibility as a society to protect victims, educate about consent, and reject all forms of violence. We remind the public that in the summer of 2023, the International Center “La Strada,” referring to the case of TikToker Dima White, stated that offering money or other goods in exchange for photos or videos of an intimate or sexual nature constitutes sexual exploitation. Indecent proposals, offensive comments, and other behaviors by the TikToker that created a hostile and degrading environment or inflicted suffering on those involved in his videos are illegal. A person’s body cannot be used as a means of generating profit. Moreover, the online promotion of such video content contributes to the normalization of sexual violence. The International Center “La Strada” is currently providing psychological and legal assistance to a victim of the sexual abuse committed by Dima White in 2023. The case is currently under review in the first-instance court. However, the legal proceedings are being continuously delayed by the defendant, who has failed to appear at all three scheduled court hearings since April. As a result, Dima White now risks being brought to court by force. We also remind the public that all photo and video materials involving minors in sexualized contexts can be reported via the platform www.siguronline.md. Since April 2023, this platform has functioned as a national reporting service for child sexual abuse materials, working in collaboration with ICT companies and law enforcement to ensure the removal of such illegal content from the internet.