True stories of sex slave trade

This story is part of a series called Craigslist Confessional. Writer Helena Bala has been meeting people via Craigslist and documenting their stories for over two years. Each story is written as it was told to her.

Listen Listening Michelle is a sex trafficking survivor. She says it was a milestone when she started sharing her experiences.

Karla Solomon initially trusted the man who became her trafficker. Karla Solomon, left, was a victim of human trafficking. Solomon was branded with a tattoo, top right, by her suspected trafficker.

T he slave market opened at night. We could hear the commotion downstairs where militants were registering and organising, and when the first man entered the room, all the girls started screaming. It was like the scene of an explosion.

Three women share their experiences of modern slavery and human trafficking with stylist. Modern slavery and human trafficking might not be things we consider to be rife in the UK — for most of us, the concept of such acts can feel shocking, and distant from our own lives. However, modern slavery is ever-present in our society, and currently in the spotlight following the release of Doing Money. Figures from the Home Office show how extensive the abuse each victim is subjected to can be.

From Toronto's Tapestry Opera comes the wrenching story of a young Ukrainian woman lured into the dark world of human trafficking. By Michael Mori. Photo by Heather Kilner courtesy of Tapestry Opera.

She looks at the ordinary sights of flowers and can hear people beyond the garden walls, walking and talking in Mexico City. Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.