Object #1: Diary

Ji processes her experiences of exploitation and trauma through
her diary, which includes thoughts of her own, and from others who
inspire her. Her recovery journey has taken a long time. She did not
feel confident in her understanding of mental health or well-being until
she was supported to open up by fellow activists.

At first, I felt humiliated. My experiences as a woman forced
into the adult industry were painful. Sharing my story for the
first time was really difficult.

I started speaking about it more when my first child asked me, ‘Mummy, why did you abandon me?’ [My son] told me that children at school taunted him, saying his Mummy abandoned him and is never coming back. I had been held in prison whilst he was alone in China, aged only five-years-old. I cried.

A mother does not abandon her child, but my abusers did not care about women and children.

Ji began sharing aspects of her experience with family and friends,
including the torture she suffered in a North Korean prison, both
physically and through being separated from her son.

Ji’s son had questions that changed her thinking.

When I started my activist work, I realised that our voices as
survivors are important.

Ji has insisted on using her real name and not a pseudonym as part
of this work.

Survivors are not weak. We are fighting.

I never hide my name.

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Object #2: History book

When Ji arrived in the UK, unable to speak any English, she did what
she has always done — study.

I tried to find English classes in colleges or other learning centres.
At night time, I went to two-hour lessons but it did not help me
improve much. It was really hard for me.

History books about North Korea written in English were helpful,
as I could compare it to my experiences and life.

Ji was surprised to learn that UK definitions of terms such as ‘human
trafficking’, ‘women’s rights’ and ‘human rights’ differ from
definitions in North Korea and China.

Concepts like the Universal Declaration, the Refugee Declarations… these were not spoken about.

As Ji became more confident with the English language, she began
teaching English to people seeking asylum with a team of other likeminded people.

I was on local TV speaking about it. I don’t know if I spoke very well!
But I did appear on TV and I told people why we teach English and
why this project needs to happen.

Funding for ‘English Speakers of Other Languages’ is fragmented
and difficult to monitor. Although participation is slowly returning to
pre-pandemic levels, census data highlights a significant amount of
unmet needs.

Ji says the ability to speak fluent English is not only an important
practicality for refugees, it is a way to break down isolation and be
heard.

So many refugees do not have English as their first language, and
that is why they can’t share details about their day. They can’t share
their emotions with others, or share the problems they face.

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Object #3: Maths textbook

In North Korea, Ji was a mathematics professor, but her
qualifications are not recognised in the UK. She’s been studying
for a GCSE, determined for her numeracy to be acknowledged.

When Ji arrived in the UK in 2008, she received her refugee status after
two weeks.

Before my activist work, I thought everyone had the same experience,
but I know mine was completely different. That is why I say ‘I’m
lucky’.

Some people came to the UK ten years ago but are still asylum
seekers. They can’t get a refugee visa. This is the issue that makes
me angry.

Ji helped one family from Pakistan get access to a lawyer. They’ve since
received their status after ten years of waiting.

That made me really happy, but many others are not getting asylum support and cannot find lawyers.

Under the Illegal Migration Act, asylum seekers will no longer have
their cases considered if they claim asylum from the UK. Instead, both
victims of trafficking and people seeking asylum will be at risk of
detention and deportation if they’re without prior permission to enter
the UK. The Act does not contain safeguards against deportation for
people with specific vulnerabilities, like women and children.

Many people fleeing danger are not able to access ‘safe routes’ to claim
asylum before entering the UK, as resettlement to the country is
restricted.

Ji continues to raise these issues through public speaking
and meeting with Members of Parliament. But it’s not without
challenges.

In British politics, it is common to speak about human rights
issues but not always to listen to survivors.