Mo Farah's story: trauma, trust and time
Sir Mo Farah, Hussein Abdi Kahin, the most successful male track distance runner ever, recently revealed he was trafficked to the UK as a child. This disclosure, thirty years after his traumatic journey, highlights how long it can take for child victims of trafficking and modern slavery to open up about their abuse.
experiences of exploited children
Mo Farah's story is not unique
Unfortunately there are many others like Mo who are exploited as children. Some will not realise they are being exploited and abused. They have nothing to compare it to so don't know any different.
Others will be too scared to tell anyone. Many children, like Mo, will have been given new identities and stories by their abusers. They will be threatened with deportation if they tell anyone what is actually happening.
facts about exploitation and slavery
4,171
potential victims of modern slavery were referred to the Home Office in the last three months
49%
increase in referrals of children suspected of being victims of labour exploitation in last three months
Signs of exploitation
Exploitation isn't obvious but it happens everywhere. By learning the signs, you can help keep children safe from this type of abuse.
opening up as an exploited child
Stories without gold medals
The UK's increasingly hostile response to migrants and asylum seekers does not make it easy for victims of exploitation to come forward and tell their story.
Imagine you are ten years old. You are being exploited and rely on your trafficker for the very basics to get by. You are not an Olympian. You have no gold medals to your name. Would you open up about your abuse?
Importance of trusted relationships
Mo ended up confiding in his PE teacher. He told him about the family he was being forced to work for. He told him his background, his true identity. Having someone to trust enabled Mo to escape his situation.
But not every child has this person they can trust. It takes time to build these relationships. Through our work we find it's not until a young person has built a trusting relationship and had therapy that they feel confident to share their story.
sometimes it can be a year of us working with them before they even start taking about their trauma
immigration system unfairness
Broken system
Unfortunately, recent Government reforms mean many children are often not given this time to work through their trauma. Under the Nationality and Borders Act, potential victims of exploitation must relay their stories and provide evidence of their abuse by a specific date.
If they are unable to disclose their trauma on demand, they may be denied protection, viewed as threats rather than victims who need to be kept safe. We need a system that treats all children as children.
Potential for gold
Although our understanding of trafficking and modern slavery is increasing, the forms of this type of abuse are evolving too. From domestic servitude that Mo experienced to cannabis farming, nail bars, car washes and criminal exploitation like county lines. We need to keep up with the ever-changing forms of exploitation.
We hope the recent increase in referrals for children reflects a better knowledge of child exploitation and that the bravery of Mo opening up will help raise awareness of child victims.
Sir Mo Farah, Hussein Abdi Kahin's story reminds us of the potential in every child if they are given the right support. They just need time and someone to trust.
