On March 19, 2026, Romanian authorities carried out a significant operation to rescue a 13-year-old girl living in the deeply unsafe and sexually exploitative environment of trafficking.
The young girl faced vulnerabilities to exploitation on multiple levels. Police reported that she came from a difficult family situation, suffered from multiple disabilities, and limited resources. Additionally, she was in emergency placement due to her family’s instability.
In February 2026, an alleged perpetrator targeted her vulnerability to recruit her for sexual exploitation, housing her in a building and coercing her to engage in sex acts for financial gain.
Those involved allegedly controlled advertisements posted online about her availability, supervised her interactions with clients, and collected the proceeds from her exploitation for themselves. Another suspect tried to exploit her by pretending to care for her and making false promises of a romantic relationship.
At just 13 years old, this child was living under the control of suspected traffickers, sexually exploited and abused for the benefit of others, and subjected to repeated violations of her dignity and rights.
Once Romanian authorities became aware of the girl’s situation, a coordinated action was ordered by the Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism Crimes – Constanța Territorial Service, resulting in the arrest of three individuals—a 22-year-old, a 33-year-old, and a 36-year-old—who are now being investigated for trafficking, attempted trafficking, pimping, and perjury.
During this operation, police also executed multiple search warrants in Romania, where evidence of the child’s exploitation and the operations surrounding it were discovered. As of now, evidence suggests there may be additional survivors, and the investigation is ongoing with further arrests anticipated.
The 13-year-old girl has now been rescued from that environment and placed in state protective custody. In the immediate aftermath of the operation, the Our Rescue team in Europe provided essential support, including food and clothing, helping to meet the survivor’s basic needs and restore a small sense of stability in what has been an overwhelmingly traumatic time.
Beyond these immediate actions, long-term care is already being arranged. The Our Rescue team has connected with the Romanian government agency responsible for survivor services, and we will coordinate with them to ensure ongoing support tailored to the survivor’s evolving needs. This includes careful monitoring, access to resources, and coordination with professionals trained to help her rebuild safety, confidence, and hope for the future.
Operations like this are never simple. They require careful planning, cooperation between law enforcement and social services, and the dedication of individuals who are committed to protecting children from exploitation. In this case, the authorities worked alongside the Constanța Organized Crime Combating Brigade, specialists from DGASPC Constanța, and gendarmes from the Constanța Mobile Gendarme Group to bring the perpetrators to justice and safeguard the survivor.
We stand alongside those who are most vulnerable, ensuring that safety, dignity, and hope are not just words, but lived realities for every child who has endured sexual exploitation and abuse. We are grateful for our continued collaboration with Romanian authorities and applaud their commitment to eradicating these crimes.
Every life impacted by exploitation is a life that deserves a chance to heal. And today, a 13-year-old girl from Romania has that chance. Today, she will not face another individual paying to sexually abuse her. Today, she is safe. Today, she can begin to heal.
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