Mabel
Mabel was trafficked into Ireland when she was just 15.
My parents died when I was young and I was brought up my grandmother. When she died, I was alone and trying to survive. I was brought to Ireland by someone who said they would care for me and support me to get an education. I was only 15 years old when I arrived in the south east of the country. But I was exploited for two years. I was forced to work without being paid and not allowed go to school and I was physically abused and threatened. I decided to escape and was taken in by a woman who spoke my language. I spent some time in foster care. But in the end I went back to the same woman who speaks my language and also who gave me accommodation when I escaped from the woman that was exploiting me.
At that point I started my asylum application. The woman who I was living with gave a story. I did not have a chance to explain what had really happened to me. I did not know how to get help. My application was refused so I left Ireland and went to the UK in 2004, on the advice of a friend. I did not know that I was allowed to appeal the decision or talk to a solicitor.
I ended up living in London for nine years. During this period I went through terrible ordeals including having to go into prostitution to survive and also enduring an abusive relationship, but in the end I managed to go to university and train to become a nurse. I was working and I really enjoyed it. But then I was arrested and they put me in detention. They brought me back to Ireland. I arrived back in Ireland in March 2013. I was in Mountjoy Prison first, then moved to a direct provision centre. I was told that I had been given a deportation order while I was in the UK.
The Immigrant Council took my case in late 2013. I was seeking to be formally identified as a victim of human trafficking, but this was delayed because it had been 10 years since I was first trafficked to Ireland. The case was taking so long and I was still under threat of deportation. I had to register regularly with INIS. I asked the Immigrant Council to bring a case in the High Court because of the three year delay. I was granted permission by the High Court to take my case. Soon after, I was formally identified as a victim of trafficking and given leave to remain.
I was free to move out of direct provision but the rents were so expensive compared with the housing allowance so it was really difficult. I managed to find a two-bed flat to share with my friend. But after we had moved in the landlord said he wouldn’t accept rent allowance. It had been so difficult finding somewhere and I didn’t want to move so I am paying my rent with my social welfare payment of €188 per week but now has been increased to €193 per week, which is really tight. But at least I have my own space and some independence.
It’s been so tough. I thought when I got my stamp 4 leave to remain everything would be back to normal. But it took me a long time to get everything I had experienced out of my system and start to settle. It’s a huge trauma to carry. I was depressed while I was in direct provision. I was on medication and had to see a psychologist.
I want to stay and work in Ireland. I am trained as a nurse but I have been out of nursing for five years which means I have to take a refresher course before I would be allowed to practice again. I am on the waiting list, but there is only one intake per year which means I might have to wait another year. My other option is to do care work, which I’m currently looking into as it will be a great step towards getting back on track. I really miss nursing and I can’t wait to get back to the profession I love most.
We would like to thank Mabel for having the courage to tell her story
If you would like to share your story to raise awareness about the issues and experiences around being a migrant in Ireland, please email us.