Sold as a slave to an affluent California family of 7, a servitude contract of ten years, was the fate of a 9 year old girl in Ciro, Egypt. Sold by her parents, who received a measly sum for the price of their daughter, Shyima soon found herself no longer a child, but a piece of property, to be used and abused at will. Dubbed a ‘real life Cinderella’, Shyima, was hidden behind closed doors, given only a space in the garage….of a million dollar mansion. Given only a dirty mattress, no heat or air conditioning, verbally abused and forced work around 20 hours a day…Shyima's life in America was a far cry from the American dream. Demoralized the young girls was led to believe there was no escape from her prison, told no one would believe her, the authorities would only abuse her. Unable to communicate in English, the now 10 year old Shyima was even more vulnerable, and helpless to seek rescue.
Thankfully this ‘Cindrella’ story has a happy ending…Shyima, finally has a ‘real’ family and a bright future! Now 17 she has been adopted by a loving family, with five other siblings, and is excelling in High School, for Shyima, the hell of modern day slavery is over. Unlike Shyima, many children do not share the same fate, as they remain hidden behind closed doors and bound by the ‘invisible chains’ of modern slavery. Kevin Bales, of Free the Slaves, explained the ‘invisible chains’ that bind victims of slavery, and how Shyima's was a classic case. Bales, estimates 27 million people are being enslaved around the world, 15,000 of which are brought into the U.S. every year.
After 16 months as a slave to the family of Nassar Ibriham, Shyima was finally rescued, thanks to an anonymous tip. For their crimes Nassar Ibriham was given 3 years, while his wife Amal was given 22 months, a small price to pay for the ten years the planned to hold Shyima, and would have if not for the nameless savior who alerted authorities to Shyima's plight. Nassar Ibriham, blamed his ignorance of the law for his role in bringing Shyima to American and enslaving her…can one believe that the law says its within the legal relm to own a human being and force them to live in conditions worse than a dog in the garage?
The lesson to be learned here, is that it is here in the United States, and it is a problem. We must fight, not only for the children we can see being abused, but those that are hidden behind closed doors. If you see anything suspicious happening to a child, report it, and look out for signs of slavery, abuse and neglect. Shyima, was held for almost a year and a half before she was rescued, during this time she was hidden behind closed doors. However others where allowed to see into her world, as while enslaved Shyima, tended to guests at parties and dinners, yet no one heard her silent cries. Neighbors of the family stated that they believed she was a cousin of the family, and did not suspect anything. Seriously, can it be we in our society do not have suspicions of a child living in a bustling and active home, that is rarely able to leave the front door, and never leaves the house…not even to go to school? A child who in a wealthy home, wears clothing almost resembling rages, is only seen doing chores…a child who seems to be living in constant fear of punishment?
We must live with our eyes open and realize the truth, however hideous, is often right next door and is always in our backyard!
Please see my other post's on Child Trafficking and Slavery, for further information and references.
If you where unable to view the Primetime special tonight, please see Modern Day Slavery: Shyima's Story, for more information.
Links:
Parents Make 10-Year-Old Egyptian Girl Their Houseslave
Domestic prisoner prevails
