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Marriage trafficking: "... Are you looking for an obedient woman? Then write to us!"

An advertisement in a Western European newspaper.

The 20-year-old Michelle lives in an Asian country in great poverty. She has long dreamed of emigrating. In her home country, a marriage agency sets her up with a European man. She marries this man. Having arrived in Western Europe, she is caught up with reality: her husband expects her to be obedient and subservient. He locks her up in the apartment and hits her. Michelle has to take care of the household day and night. She does not know anyone here and does not speak the language - she is therefore at the mercy of her husband. The 20-year-old Michelle lives in an Asian country in great poverty. She has long dreamed of emigrating. In her home country, a marriage agency sets her up with a European man. She marries this man. Having arrived in Western Europe, she is caught up with reality: her husband expects her to be obedient and subservient. He locks her up in the apartment and hits her. Michelle has to take care of the household day and night. She does not know anyone here and does not speak the language - she is therefore at the mercy of her husband.

What is marriage trafficking?

✗ Marriage trafficking occurs, for example, when a women is deceived during the matchmaking process.
✗ The men have often paid a high fee for arranging the marriage and therefore believe that their wife is their possession.
✗ Since they can only remain in the country, if their marriage continues, they give in to their fate.

Marriage trafficking is also a form of human trafficking.