Empower Abused and Trafficked Vietnamese Women

Hoa was at University when she met her husband, Dung. Dung was a single father who was taking care of his six year old son, at the same time as running an IT centre for students. They started dating, and Hoa brought Dung home to meet her parents soon after. She told them she wanted to marry Dung, but her parents weren't supportive of the relationship. They were worried about their young daughter becoming someone's second wife and a mother to a six year old. Hoa's parents had big dreams for her, she was the first of their family to go to University.

Hoa married Dung anyway. Within a week of being married to him, she discovered why his first wife had left. Dung beat Hoa incessantly, but she hoped desperately would change. She worked alongside him at the IT centre as the Chief Administrator and Accountant. Soon, Hoa was pregnant. She heard a rumour that her husband was having an affair with a student at the centre, but she believed the best in him.

Hoa gave birth to a baby boy. Three months later, Hoa wanted to go back to work. Her husband wasn't happy with Hoa replacing the student he had hired, and he locked her in a room and hit her for hours on end. The violence only got worse. Since Dung wouldn't let her go back to work, Hoa tried to enrol in further study. She studied for a year, but her husband berated her for making no money and forced her to quit.

When Hoa's son turned two, Hoa was offered a job at a company close to where they lived. Things seemed to be looking up for Hoa. But within a few days of starting work again, Hoa's husband had come to her work and met with her boss. He spoke so poorly of Hoa, that the very next day she was let go. Hoa felt hopeless. Dung mocked her, telling her she was just his slave used to give birth to his baby.

When her son turned 2 years old, Hoa received an offer to work at a private company close to home. Her husband came to her workplace in person to meet with her boss and spoke so badly about her that the next, day Hoa was let go. She was shocked and bewildered; ever since she believed her husband had an ultimate power over her, she would never be able to escape from her husband. Dung would mock Hoa, telling her she was just his slave he had used to give birth to his baby.

Hoa could no longer take Dung's abuse and decided to file for divorce. The proceedings were hard on her, she had no property or income to provide for her son. Hoa lost custody of her son and had no means to survive on. Her family were ashamed of her divorce. With nowhere left to turn, Hoa searched online for help. That's when Hoa got in touch with Hagar Vietnam.

Staff at Hagar Vietnam came alongside Hoa and helped her to settle in a new city. They worked with Hoa through counselling and case management. At first, Hoa was afraid to see her son. She felt like he would be better off without her, and she was worried she'd have to see her ex-husband again. But Hagar helped Hoa to overcome her fears, and she was able to reconnect with her son.

Hoa enrolled in an accounting course at University, and with Hagar's support, she found a job and is now living independently. Her son stays with her often, she loves watching him grow and hopes that soon, she'll receive full custody of him.

Hoa's journey isn't over, but Hagar have walked every step of the way with her. “It is a long and challenging journey but it is definitely worthwhile”