'My life has changed completely': How one modern slavery victim escaped his captors and rebuilt his life

A modern slavery survivor has spoken of his experience of being exploited - and how a life-changing organisation helped him feel ‘happy and safe’ again.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Marian Costin (not his real name), aged 34, who is originally from Romania, came to the UK in 2014, and first found work in a Scottish restaurant.

However, after a friend suggested he move to London to work in a car wash, he began to be criminally exploited.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After enduring weeks of no pay and being forced to open fraudulent bank accounts with fake identification, Marian escaped, finding refuge in a police station and telling them his story.

An Unbroken Chain: Modern Slavery in the UKAn Unbroken Chain: Modern Slavery in the UK
An Unbroken Chain: Modern Slavery in the UK

It was then he was told about City Hearts, an organisation that runs safe houses and does outreach work with survivors of modern slavery.

After moving to a safe house in the north of England, he later found work at the Co-op and then Dixons, where he still works now.

He now lives in Greater Manchester, has a partner and says he is a different man - all thanks to City Hearts.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “When I first arrived at the safe house, I felt a little confused and unsure what to expect, but I soon began to feel safe and protected.

File image (Picture :Shutterstock)File image (Picture :Shutterstock)
File image (Picture :Shutterstock)

“City Hearts helped me so much. Getting identification, helping me to find accommodation and teaching me English through classes, which has made me feel much more confident.

“After I left the safe house, I attended weekly drop-in sessions, where we played games and did activities.

“Now, I feel happy and safe. My life has changed completely.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Marian said he originally left Romania for a better life, and never imagined that he would end up in a situation where he was in fear for his life.

He was forced to work 12 hours a day for six days a week, as well as being made to set up dozens of fake IDs and bank accounts for the criminal gang exploiting him.

However, one night, while his captors were drinking and taking drugs, he decided it was his chance to get away.

“I grabbed some of the fake IDs in the house and ran to the nearest police station,” he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I was really scared they would come after me, and feared the police wouldn’t believe me. When I got to the police station, it was closed. I had to get to another station as fast as I could.

“I ran in and said ‘I need help’, throwing the collection of fake identities onto the reception desk.”

Fortunately, the police believed Marian and referred him into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), a framework for identifying victims of human trafficking and ensuring they receive the appropriate protection and support.

Phill Clayton, head of development at City Hearts, said it was this quick identification of Marian as a victim rather than a criminal which changed his life.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The safe house provided him with accomodation and small income via the NRM, before he was helped back into legitimate work via City Hearts’ Bright Future scheme.

“Before I didn’t have any dreams but I can see a nice future now,” said Marian.

“City Hearts have helped me a lot and maybe my experience can help others. There are still too many people in the same situation.”

It is thanks to our loyal readers that we can continue to provide the trusted news, analysis and insight that matters to you. For unlimited access to our unrivalled local reporting, you can take out a subscription here and help support the work of our dedicated team of reporters.