Helping victims of the sex trade in Eastern Europe

Hannah’s story shows that despite the formidable odds, trafficked women can recover. The Magdala Project – named after the place Mary Magdalen came from – aims to enable Czech and foreign women to win back their self-respect and freedom. Project workers are well aware of what is at stake: “At first, it’s really difficult; it takes one or two years for the women to resume ordinary life and to regain confidence.” Drawing on the Caritas network of social and health services and in partnership with the Government and another non-governmental organisation, La Strada, Magdala offers legal aid, psychotherapeutic counselling, retraining, language classes and, crucially, accommodation in Caritas shelters and material help. Collaboration with overseas NGOs (non-governmental organisations) ensures support across borders.

“It’s good to know each other,” said Jindriska about membership in Coatnet, an international network of Christian organisations against trafficking. “NGOs from western Europe sometimes call to say a Czech woman wants to return, and we meet her at the airport. It’s perfect.”