Vika (name changed for security reasons) lived in the village of Kirovaul in Dagestan, a republic in Russia located in the North Caucasus. After her seventh grade, her relatives forced her to leave school, and by the age of 17, they arranged a marriage for her to a man nine years her senior. The marriage did not last long, and Vika returned to her parents’ home.

Once back, she faced regular beatings and constant control. When Vika expressed her desire to continue her education, her mother threatened to send her to an exorcist. Desperate to escape her situation, Vika attempted to flee the republic, but her relatives tracked her down within 12 days and brought her back home.

Her documents and cell phone were confiscated, and she was taken to exorcists to “expel shaitans” (evil spirits or demons in Islamic belief), enduring frequent abuse. Vika sought help from law enforcement agencies, managing to file several complaints with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the FSB (Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation), and the Prosecutor’s Office.

However, her efforts proved futile when operatives brought her to the Kizilyurt police station. There, an investigator coerced her into signing a statement and returned her to her relatives. Once again, Vika was sent to exorcists, and her family considerent arranging a second marriage for her. It was at this point that Vika reached out to NC SOS, and we assisted her in escaping from Dagestan.