Member-only story
Modern-day slavery is alive and living next door to you
Here is Rob’s story
Three hours on and I’m still shocked. Truth be told I feel pretty unsettled. There’s a funny feeling in my stomach and I find myself riding a wave of different emotions. Surprise, anger, disgust, compassion, frustration.
Rob (not his real name) is the new boyfriend of a good friend. I met him for the first time this afternoon and he appears to be a lovely man. Softly spoken, caring, compassionate, clearly in love with my friend, and with some clear values.
He’s also shown himself to be patient and understanding, perhaps as I was to learn, to a fault.
What came out over the course of that hour or so getting to know Rob for the first time is the reason for my unsettled feelings and the compelling need to write this.
Rob was married to someone before. He is the father of two children and the step-father to two others. He worked for his wife’s family for many years and only in recent times has he been able to escape their clutches.
Warning Signs
From early on it seems there were warning signs. Most of the money he and his wife received at the wedding went back to her mother. It appears she was very much the dominant matriarch of the family.
