Maribel, who is in her mid-twenties, explained that the family had recruited her from her home in Guatemala to work for them in Costa Rica. Though she had originally been told she would only have to clean for the family, she was forced to take care of the couple’s children or else the couple threatened to deport her. Because the couple kept her documents, Maribel believed their threats. Though the family was very wealthy, and had a lavish house, they never paid Maribel anything.  The couple and their children physically abused Maribel. She was kept isolated and never had any days off from her work. The couple used these methods of coercion to keep Maribel in this situation for over a year.  Eventually, the couple took a vacation to their second house in the US, and brought Maribel with them, where the abuse continued. While in the US, she was able to seek help from the caller and escape. Though she feared retribution from her traffickers, Maribel sought assistance in rebuilding her life and staying in the US in safety. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) connected the young woman with social and legal services.

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