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A transgender woman who found safety in Liverpool has spoken of how trusting the wrong people saw her turn from a person into a slave trader's cargo.

Sasha Taylor fled her home in Guatemala, Central America, where she had been subjected to violence and abuse - even by members of her own family - because of her gender identity.

She embarked on her journey in December 2016, seeking the shelter of a country where she could be respected for who she is and have her human rights protected.

But the men who told the 35-year-old said they could help her find a new life in London instead kidnapped her and took her to Greece, and then Spain. She had become a victim of human trafficking.

Sasha, who now lives in Toxteth, said: “I used to cry all day out of desperation. They took away all my documents, papers, and the little money I was going to take to London.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

“They constantly reminded me that if I tried to escape, talk to someone or even ask for help from the police, they will arrest me and then deport me back to Guatemala where I would be murdered.”

Thanks to two women that she met in Spain, Sasha managed to escape to London on February 4, 2017.

Aged 12 her father threw her out of her home

She now receives support from UK-based organisations and attends classes three times a week at The City of Liverpool College, to help improve her English.

Sasha said: "I had a beautiful life as a child, but I always had a feeling in my mind and in my heart that I looked really feminine. I was eight-years-old when I started to realise that I was different.

"And I was 10 when a neighbour sexually abused me, but I was scared to tell my parents. It was when I was nearly 12 that I decided to tell them the truth. When my father heard the truth, he asked me to leave his home.

"I think my mother always knew that I was different because we were really close. Sometimes I would wear and play in hers or my sisters' clothes, and my mum would just laugh. Even though she pushed me away too, I know, no matter who I am, she will always love me.

"When my three brothers and three sisters found out, they just didn’t care. It was horrible. I could feel the rejection I felt from my parents, my father specifically. He used to say that he would prefer that I was dead rather than being his son."

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Used by a surgeon for practice

"I felt bad because I started living a life that I never asked to live. I have always wanted to tell them about what I was experiencing, but at the time I didn’t know what it meant to be transgender, gay or LGBT. I just knew I was different.”

Sasha moved into the city and learned how to take care of herself. She met her two best friends and began her transition between the age of 16-17.

She said: "After drinking hormones which encouraged my breasts to grow and my body to look more feminine, I started living as a woman and wore feminine clothes. I started to feel more happy within myself and see myself for who I always was."

Sasha worked very hard as a cleaner in a hair salon, but couldn’t save enough for surgery.

She said: “I’ve now had my breasts enlarged and my hips done. I didn’t pay anything for them, because the surgeon who offered his services was training at the time and wanted to use me to practice. I wasn’t scared."

Sasha's friends were murdered while she was raped and shot

Sasha witnessed the murder of her two best friends, who were also transgender women, in May 2000 and June 2006, and was herself physically abused, raped and shot in October 2006. After that she decided to go into hiding.

But now, after dealing with prejudices, discrimination and transphobia for almost 20 years, Sasha says she stopped living in fear of people and is just grateful to be alive.

She said: "Everyone won't know what it means to be a transgender woman.

“But people need to report hate crime. Because we can’t eradicate violence with violence.”

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Sasha is now enjoying a new chapter in her life with Hawkar Jwamer, 33, a refugee from Iraq, who she met seven months ago.

Sasha said: “He is a honest person, and he makes me smile.”

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Domestic abuse help and support Domestic violence or abuse can happen to anyone. NHS advice says if you are at risk of domestic abuse or violence you can: Talk to your doctor, health visitor or midwife

Women can call 0808 2000 247, the free 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline run in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge

Men can call the Men's Advice Line free on 0808 801 0327 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) or ManKind on 01823 334 244

In an emergency, call 999 The Survivor's Handbook from Women's Aid is free and gives information on issues such as housing, money, helping children and legal rights. Men can email info@mensadviceline.org.uk, which can refer you to places that can help, such as health services and voluntary organisations. For forced marriage and "honour" crimes, contact Karma Nirvana (0800 5999 247) or The Forced Marriage Unit (020 7008 0151). Galop provides support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people experiencing domestic violence. Anyone who needs confidential help with their own abusive behaviour can contact Respect on their free helpline on 0808 802 4040.

Sasha was speaking at the Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas Church, in Liverpool city centre as part of Hate Crime Awareness Week.

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Paul Lamb said: "Merseyside is a very welcoming place, and the vast majority of people show a great deal of understanding and tolerance towards people who are different to them.

“But we know hate crime has been a vastly under-reported crime for a long time now. If people are being targeted because they are perceived to be different then we want them to come forward and tell us, rather than suffer in silence.

"The more action we can take against perpetrators, the more confidence we can instil in victims that if they report things to the police we will protect, support them and make it stop.

"Victims can report directly to the police where specially-trained hate crime officers will treat them with sensitivity and compassion, or via third party reporting centres such as the new op nein Whiston hospital, at fire stations, citizen advice bureaus and elsewhere where the information will be passed on.

"By continuing to encourage greater reporting we can protect and support more victims and make it clear to perpetrators that we will do everything we can to put them before the courts."

If for any reason you don’t feel comfortable speaking to the police about a hate crime, ring independent charity Stop Hate UK on 0800 138 1625 who provide 24/7 help and support, or visit http://www.stophateuk.org/. There are also more than 90 independent centres across the region where you can go to contact Stop Hate UK - anywhere displaying a ‘red hand’ logo is part of this important network standing up against hate.