Tuesday 8 July 2014

Nigerian prostitutes reveal how their dreams of a life of freedom in Europe become a living hell after being tricked into joining the sex trade

Nigerian women are being trafficked to Italy under the pretence that they will be working as nannies or in factories – but often end up working the streets as prostitutes.
Their plight has been highlighted by Paris-based photographer Elena Perlino, originally from Italy, who began to notice the presence of young African women working on the streets during her commutes from Turin.
She said: 'I decided to start from this surreal vision to tell a story. I have been working on the topic for several years, focusing mainly on the Italian connection.'
MANDATORY CREDIT: Elena Perlino/Rex Features. IMAGES OUTSIDE OF PRINT VERSION NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS. FEES APPLY FOR UNIQUE IPAD USE. Only for use in story about Elena Perlino's work.
 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Elena Perlino/REX (3870599as)
 Turin 2012. Police control find a Nigerian woman working as a prostitute in the outskirt of Turin.
 Photo Series Highlights The Issue Of Human Sex Trafficking from Nigeria to Italy
 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime declared Nigeria among the top eight countries with the highest human trafficking rates in the world.
 
 In her long-term project Pipeline Paris-based Elena Perlino delves into the shocking reality, concentrating specifically on women trafficked to Italy from Nigeria.
 
 The 42-year-old photographer who is originally from Italy, began to notice the presence of young African women working on the streets when she would commute from Turin. 
 
 "I decided to start from this surreal vision to tell a story. I have been working on
Police control find a Nigerian woman working as a prostitute in the outskirt of Turin
MANDATORY CREDIT: Elena Perlino/Rex Features. IMAGES OUTSIDE OF PRINT VERSION NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS. FEES APPLY FOR UNIQUE IPAD USE. Only for use in story about Elena Perlino's work.
 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Elena Perlino/REX (3870599ai)
 Naples 2012. Fatima shows the scars on her body due to strong fighting with Nigerian collegues working as prostitutes in the ouskirts of Acerra.
 Photo Series Highlights The Issue Of Human Sex Trafficking from Nigeria to Italy
 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime declared Nigeria among the top eight countries with the highest human trafficking rates in the world.
 
 In her long-term project Pipeline Paris-based Elena Perlino delves into the shocking reality, concentrating specifically on women trafficked to Italy from Nigeria.
 
 The 42-year-old photographer who is originally from Italy, began to notice the presence of young African women working on the streets when she would commute from Turin. 
 
 "I decided to start from this surreal
Nigerian woman Fatima shows the scars on her body due to vicious fighting with collegues working as prostitutes in the outskirts of Acerra
MANDATORY CREDIT: Elena Perlino/Rex Features. IMAGES OUTSIDE OF PRINT VERSION NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS. FEES APPLY FOR UNIQUE IPAD USE. Only for use in story about Elena Perlino's work.
 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Elena Perlino/REX (3870599bs)
 Turin 2006. Waiting for a client in the countryside during the winter season
 Photo Series Highlights The Issue Of Human Sex Trafficking from Nigeria to Italy
 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime declared Nigeria among the top eight countries with the highest human trafficking rates in the world.
 
 In her long-term project Pipeline Paris-based Elena Perlino delves into the shocking reality, concentrating specifically on women trafficked to Italy from Nigeria.
 
 The 42-year-old photographer who is originally from Italy, began to notice the presence of young African women working on the streets when she would commute from Turin. 
 
 "I decided to start from this surreal vision to tell a story. I have been working on the topic for several
A Nigerian in Italy waits for a client in the countryside during the winter season
MANDATORY CREDIT: Elena Perlino/Rex Features. IMAGES OUTSIDE OF PRINT VERSION NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS. FEES APPLY FOR UNIQUE IPAD USE. Only for use in story about Elena Perlino's work.
 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Elena Perlino/REX (3870599aw)
 Naples 2012. A Nigerian cultural mediator offers condoms and psychological support to some of the younger prostitutes working close to Acerra.
 Photo Series Highlights The Issue Of Human Sex Trafficking from Nigeria to Italy
 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime declared Nigeria among the top eight countries with the highest human trafficking rates in the world.
 
 In her long-term project Pipeline Paris-based Elena Perlino delves into the shocking reality, concentrating specifically on women trafficked to Italy from Nigeria.
 
 The 42-year-old photographer who is originally from Italy, began to notice the presence of young African women working on the streets when she would commute from Turin. 
 
 "I decided to start from this surreal vi
A Nigerian cultural mediator offers condoms and psychological support to some of the younger prostitutes working close to Acerra
Perlino reveals that many Nigerian women come to Italy hoping to make enough money from honest work as nannies or factory workers to support their families back home, but are tricked by traffickers into working in the sex trade.
Arrests, violence and abuse often follow.
Traffickers demand on average more than 50,000 euros (US $60,000) for travel expenses and accommodation, with the women having to work as prostitutes until their debts are paid off.
MANDATORY CREDIT: Elena Perlino/Rex Features. IMAGES OUTSIDE OF PRINT VERSION NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS. FEES APPLY FOR UNIQUE IPAD USE. Only for use in story about Elena Perlino's work.
 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Elena Perlino/REX (3870599ay)
 Turin 2007. Nigerian women working as prostitutes in the North area of the city.
 Photo Series Highlights The Issue Of Human Sex Trafficking from Nigeria to Italy
 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime declared Nigeria among the top eight countries with the highest human trafficking rates in the world.
 
 In her long-term project Pipeline Paris-based Elena Perlino delves into the shocking reality, concentrating specifically on women trafficked to Italy from Nigeria.
 
 The 42-year-old photographer who is originally from Italy, began to notice the presence of young African women working on the streets when she would commute from Turin. 
 
 "I decided to start from this surreal vision to tell a story. I have been working on the topic for sev
Nigerian women working as prostitutes in the North area of Turin
MANDATORY CREDIT: Elena Perlino/Rex Features. IMAGES OUTSIDE OF PRINT VERSION NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS. FEES APPLY FOR UNIQUE IPAD USE. Only for use in story about Elena Perlino's work.
 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Elena Perlino/REX (3870599d)
 Turin 2007. A Catholic shelter for Nigerian women victims of trafficking, who entered the Protection Program.
 Photo Series Highlights The Issue Of Human Sex Trafficking from Nigeria to Italy
 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime declared Nigeria among the top eight countries with the highest human trafficking rates in the world.
 
 In her long-term project Pipeline Paris-based Elena Perlino delves into the shocking reality, concentrating specifically on women trafficked to Italy from Nigeria.
 
 The 42-year-old photographer who is originally from Italy, began to notice the presence of young African women working on the streets when she would commute from Turin. 
 
 "I decided to start from this surreal vision to tell a story. I have been
Nigerian women in a Catholic shelter for victims of trafficking
MANDATORY CREDIT: Elena Perlino/Rex Features. IMAGES OUTSIDE OF PRINT VERSION NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS. FEES APPLY FOR UNIQUE IPAD USE. Only for use in story about Elena Perlino's work.
 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Elena Perlino/REX (3870599t)
 Rome 2012. A Nigerian woman in a temporary detention centre
 Photo Series Highlights The Issue Of Human Sex Trafficking from Nigeria to Italy
 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime declared Nigeria among the top eight countries with the highest human trafficking rates in the world.
 
 In her long-term project Pipeline Paris-based Elena Perlino delves into the shocking reality, concentrating specifically on women trafficked to Italy from Nigeria.
 
 The 42-year-old photographer who is originally from Italy, began to notice the presence of young African women working on the streets when she would commute from Turin. 
 
 "I decided to start from this surreal vision to tell a story. I have been working on the topic for several years, focusing m
A Nigerian woman in a temporary detention centre
MANDATORY CREDIT: Elena Perlino/Rex Features. IMAGES OUTSIDE OF PRINT VERSION NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS. FEES APPLY FOR UNIQUE IPAD USE. Only for use in story about Elena Perlino's work.
 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Elena Perlino/REX (3870599ab)
 Turin 2012. Police review the documents of a Nigerian woman working as a prostitute.
 Photo Series Highlights The Issue Of Human Sex Trafficking from Nigeria to Italy
 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime declared Nigeria among the top eight countries with the highest human trafficking rates in the world.
 
 In her long-term project Pipeline Paris-based Elena Perlino delves into the shocking reality, concentrating specifically on women trafficked to Italy from Nigeria.
 
 The 42-year-old photographer who is originally from Italy, began to notice the presence of young African women working on the streets when she would commute from Turin. 
 
 "I decided to start from this surreal vision to tell a story. I have been working on the topic for
Italian police review the documents of a Nigerian woman working as a prostitute
MANDATORY CREDIT: Elena Perlino/Rex Features. IMAGES OUTSIDE OF PRINT VERSION NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS. FEES APPLY FOR UNIQUE IPAD USE. Only for use in story about Elena Perlino's work.
 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Elena Perlino/REX (3870599ap)
 Turin 2012. A Nigerian woman, working as a prostitute in the countryside, needs to go to the Police Station because she was found without a passport.
 Photo Series Highlights The Issue Of Human Sex Trafficking from Nigeria to Italy
 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime declared Nigeria among the top eight countries with the highest human trafficking rates in the world.
 
 In her long-term project Pipeline Paris-based Elena Perlino delves into the shocking reality, concentrating specifically on women trafficked to Italy from Nigeria.
 
 The 42-year-old photographer who is originally from Italy, began to notice the presence of young African women working on the streets when she would commute from Turin. 
 
 "I decided to start from this sur
A Nigerian woman, working as a prostitute in the countryside, is taken to a police station because she was found without a passport
MANDATORY CREDIT: Elena Perlino/Rex Features. IMAGES OUTSIDE OF PRINT VERSION NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS. FEES APPLY FOR UNIQUE IPAD USE. Only for use in story about Elena Perlino's work.
 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Elena Perlino/REX (3870599y)
 Turin 2006. Faith having a blood test at the Amedeo di Savoia Hospital
 Photo Series Highlights The Issue Of Human Sex Trafficking from Nigeria to Italy
 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime declared Nigeria among the top eight countries with the highest human trafficking rates in the world.
 
 In her long-term project Pipeline Paris-based Elena Perlino delves into the shocking reality, concentrating specifically on women trafficked to Italy from Nigeria.
 
 The 42-year-old photographer who is originally from Italy, began to notice the presence of young African women working on the streets when she would commute from Turin. 
 
 "I decided to start from this surreal vision to tell a story. I have been working on the topic for several years,
A Nigerian called Faith having a blood test at the Amedeo di Savoia Hospital in Turin
Eighty per cent of women trafficked to Italy come from Benin City, Edo State, in south Nigeria.
The photographer explained: ‘My work attempts to show a complex phenomenon that crosses Italy from North to South.
‘This involves many cities including Turin, Milan, Genoa, Rome, Naples and Palermo and thousands of Nigerian and Italian people.’
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime declared Nigeria among the top eight countries with the highest human trafficking rates in the world.
MANDATORY CREDIT: Elena Perlino/Rex Features. IMAGES OUTSIDE OF PRINT VERSION NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS. FEES APPLY FOR UNIQUE IPAD USE. Only for use in story about Elena Perlino's work.
 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Elena Perlino/REX (3870599ax)
 Turin 2006. "Nigerian trafficked women's places of work, called joints, are often located in the suburbs of big cities. Women are in virtual slavery under their traffickers until all debts are paid off (up to 80.000 euros)." This photo shows a woman waiting for a client in the summer season.
 Photo Series Highlights The Issue Of Human Sex Trafficking from Nigeria to Italy
 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime declared Nigeria among the top eight countries with the highest human trafficking rates in the world.
 
 In her long-term project Pipeline Paris-based Elena Perlino delves into the shocking reality, concentrating specifically on women trafficked to Italy from Nigeria.
 
 The 42-year-old photographer who is originally from Italy, bega
This photograph shows a Nigerian woman waiting for a client in the summer season
MANDATORY CREDIT: Elena Perlino/Rex Features. IMAGES OUTSIDE OF PRINT VERSION NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS. FEES APPLY FOR UNIQUE IPAD USE. Only for use in story about Elena Perlino's work.
 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Elena Perlino/REX (3870599r)
 Milan 2010. A Nigerian woman commuting between Turin and Milan on the 4am train
 Photo Series Highlights The Issue Of Human Sex Trafficking from Nigeria to Italy
 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime declared Nigeria among the top eight countries with the highest human trafficking rates in the world.
 
 In her long-term project Pipeline Paris-based Elena Perlino delves into the shocking reality, concentrating specifically on women trafficked to Italy from Nigeria.
 
 The 42-year-old photographer who is originally from Italy, began to notice the presence of young African women working on the streets when she would commute from Turin. 
 
 "I decided to start from this surreal vision to tell a story. I have been working on the topic for sever
A Nigerian woman commuting between Turin and Milan on the 4am train

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