From victim to advocate: Human trafficking survivor rebuilds life in Dubai

Dubai: Once a promising footballer with dreams of playing in Europe, S.G. never imagined his aspirations would turn into a nightmare. Lured by false promises, he fell victim to a human trafficking gang that subjected him to brutal abuse and forced labour in an industry exploiting vulnerable women.

After enduring relentless beatings and threats to his life, he eventually made a daring escape that saved him from a cycle of exploitation.

Determined to rebuild his life, S.G. moved to Dubai on the encouragement of a friend. He soon secured a job with a private security company at one of the emirate’s airports, where he began regaining a sense of stability and purpose.

Recognising his potential, his employer nominated him for the ‘Anti-Human Trafficking Specialist Diploma’, a programme launched by the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking and Dubai Police, in partnership with the Dubai Judicial Institute and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

The initiative aims to train professionals to address trafficking crimes effectively and provide meaningful support to victims.

Despite the heavy shadows of his past, S.G. excelled in the diploma programme. For his research project, he authored a study titled “Border Control Procedures to Prevent Human Trafficking Crimes”.

His research highlighted five key recommendations, including:

Reflecting on his journey through the diploma, S.G. said: “I joined the programme at my manager’s suggestion. Although I hadn’t shared my own painful experiences with him, I opened up to my classmates. They were shocked by my story but encouraged me to persevere. The course helped me understand trafficking in depth and how to identify its signs. This knowledge allows us to protect others and potentially save lives.”

He added that awareness is the strongest form of prevention. “Human trafficking can happen to anyone. Knowledge and vigilance are the keys to stopping it before it destroys more lives.”

Recalling how his ordeal began, S.G. explained that he had been scouted in his home country by a man who claimed to be a football agent. The broker promised him a career with a club in Africa that would serve as a pathway to Europe.

“I saved money and travelled through the desert to reach that country, full of hope,” he said. “But when I arrived, I discovered there was no football club. The so-called agent was part of a trafficking gang, and I had walked straight into their trap.”

Forced into labour, he was made to guard and transport women who were being exploited. “When I tried to escape the first time, they caught me, beat me severely, and threatened to kill me if I attempted it again,” he recalled.

On his second attempt, luck favoured him. With the help of a sympathetic stranger, he managed to flee. He travelled through several countries before finally making it back home.

Later, a friend in the UAE invited him to Dubai, where he arrived on a visitor’s visa and soon found work in security.

That opportunity, he says, was life-changing. “My job gave me psychological, mental, and social stability. It gave me a reason to look forward, not backward.”

Today, S.G. is not only a survivor but also an advocate, determined to use his knowledge to fight the very crime that nearly destroyed him.

His journey from victim to specialist highlights the resilience of the human spirit — and the critical role of education, awareness, and institutional support in combating human trafficking.