Tatiana against sexual exploitation. On the occasion of the European Day against Trafficking in Human Beings, the Samilia Foundation, in the presence of Viviane Teitelbaum, presents the results of its campaign against sexual exploitation.

Since September, a striking poster has appeared on the walls of six European cities, including Brussels. A provocative silhouette, a first name, and a phone number are its only elements. Behind the Belgian number, Tatiana, a victim of sexual exploitation, tells her story and invites everyone to leave a comment, “a thought.”

In Brussels, 39 posters were displayed in metro stations, and two posters were placed in Place Flagey. The image was also used as a Tinder profile and in an ad on 2ememain.be. In summary, we received 2,660 calls and 171 voicemails for our campaign in Brussels.

60% are messages of encouragement

18% are messages from clients requesting sexual services after learning of Tatiana’s story (who had therefore been sexually exploited).

11% are aggressive and/or racist messages

11% of the messages questioned the campaign’s objective.
All campaign results are available on the website. http://penny.mzwaan.pt/

The rest:

Starting October 30th, 70,000 postcards featuring the campaign image and, on the front, a link to the campaign website.

Some examples of messages received:

Your story touched me deeply. You did this for the love of your son and for the love of your family. You’ve been through so much, and far too many others are going through the same thing. This story, what we’re experiencing, what these people are going through too, is incredibly difficult. We feel like giving up every day, but we do it out of love for certain people. I commend you. You’ve been so brave, and many people don’t understand. I think it’s a good thing to start this campaign. Because it might help some people understand what others are going through. So I wish you much happiness. May life help you again, and may you find your way back to the right path. I wish you, your son, and your family a happy life.

Honestly, Tatiana, I’m going to be a bit critical. The myth that “prostitutes have kids and get kidnapped”—come on, stop it, stop it. Not us, you earn four times a worker’s salary in an hour. Poor guy, all that for… You’re just a prostitute. It’s shameful. It’s a shameful and disgusting message. Seriously, there are people who work eight hours a day to make €50, while you make €45 in 15 minutes, right?

Hey there, you dirty girl, I’d be interested in your services. Could you get back to me? I’m interested in some pretty hardcore services, so if you’re interested, give me a call.

But you shouldn’t have come to Belgium. To do this. You should have asked about the cost of a job in Belgium. Right? There’s social assistance or unemployment benefits to feed your child instead of giving away your cat. Oh yeah, right. Giving away your cat, you have to take responsibility now. (There are jobs, you know, sick leave). You shouldn’t do this, Tatiana. Tatiana, stop it now, stop this nonsense. You have to take your child and go back to your country. You can’t do this. It’s just not done. Come on, Tatiana, come on. We’re going back to our country. Come on, Tatiana.

Good evening, my name is Céline. I called because I saw this ad on a metro station in the center of Brussels. I was a little shocked. Thinking I was doing the right thing, I took a picture on the metro. I think it was the Yser station; it was today. I was thinking, “I want to check this number to see if people are really going crazy or what.” I didn’t quite understand the whole thing. So that’s why I called, to confirm that it was a prostitution ad, although I had a feeling it might be. Anyway, I’m very happy to know that’s not the case. Really, I’m very happy. Thank you, Tatiana. Goodbye.

So, I came across the article online. I was very moved by your campaign about Tatiana’s story, and I wish you all the best. I think it’s wonderful that you’re helping people the way you are. I know my message will probably go unanswered, of course, since you can’t call everyone. But I wanted to be among those who encourage you, and I think your awareness campaign is fantastic. Thank you so much, have a good day.

Hello Tatiana. Well done for doing this little report on this cell phone. I can only encourage you to flee prostitution because you should know that all the men who offer this are scoundrels, and prostitution is not a job that allows you to live honestly and comfortably. I think you made the right choice by fleeing this profession. I wish you good luck in life with you and your child, and I hope you will have a much happier life than what that scoundrel promised you. My name is Ambre, and I myself was involved in prostitution. I got out, and it allowed me to understand men much better. Know that men in general give me a very negative opinion. That’s all. Goodbye, Tatiana, and see you soon.

Thank you to our project partners and to the Wallonia-Brussels Federation