“Lack of love is why most girls end up being victims of sex trafficking”

‘Reaching Out’ Romania works to bring better lives to trafficked girls

Eva Fernández Ortiz – WNN Features

Romanian ‘Reaching Out’ shelter director and advocate for youth, Iana Matei, believes strongly in the empowerment of girls as she works to help sex-trafficking survivors gain life skills, training and a stronger self-image. Image: Marina Gersony

(WNN) Constanta, ROMANIA: After studying psychology and living in Australia for some years, human rights activist and street-child advocate Iana Matei returned to her native country – Romania. When she returned in 1998 her life changed in a big way. As a psychologist and ‘expert’ in street children, Matai was contacted by local police when they told her that they needed her help.

Three teenage girls who were picked up for prostitution needed to be taken to see a doctor. Matei helped the girls, but was well aware that there was no where they could go after their visit to the doctor.

At the time, there was no shelter in Romania that would take in young prostitutes or help them.
Aware of the dangers the girls would face if they stayed out on the streets, Matei made a decision that would end up helping numerous teenage girls find a new future and a new life. It was then that Matei decided to start Reaching Out – a shelter that continues today to work to build back the lives of children who are victims of sex trafficking, exploitation and sexual slavery.

Human rights journalist Eva Fernández Ortiz, for WNN – Women News Network, recently had a chance to interview Iana Matei about her life and her work to save children trapped by human trafficking. Their engaging and informative discussion follows:

Interview to Iana Matei by Eva Fernandez Ortiz