Face to Face With Former ISIS Sex Slaves: Stacey Dooley Investigates

Summary

This video script covers the emotional stories of two young women who were used as sex slaves by ISIS. Both women, from moderate Muslim backgrounds, bravely recount their traumatic experiences living under the control of ISIS militants. One woman, Leila, describes how she was forced into sexual servitude after her husband was killed. The script highlights the objectification of women by ISIS and the devastating impact on their lives, while also acknowledging their courage in escaping and sharing their stories. The speaker reflects on how these harrowing events are often reduced to statistics in the media.

Takeaways

• 😔 Two girls, around the speaker's age, bravely share their experiences as victims of ISIS's treatment of women.
• 😢 Both girls come from moderate Muslim families and were used as sex slaves by ISIS.
• 😟 Leila recently escaped ISIS, and Heba has been in Turkey for a few months, but it's too dangerous for them to be identified.
• 😔 Leila lived with her family before her husband was killed in an airstrike, which led to her being targeted by a jihadi soldier.
• 💔 Leila was forced into marriage and had to sexually please the jihadi soldier every night, treating her as an object.
• 😠 ISIS views women as objects for sexual gratification after long days of fighting.
• 😨 Even female children are vulnerable to being used as sexual objects by ISIS fighters.
• 😢 When a married fighter dies, the wife is passed on to other fighters, continuing the cycle of abuse.
• 😔 Leila was eventually able to flee across the border into Turkey, showing immense courage in telling her story.
• 😔 The speaker reflects on how these stories often become mere statistics in the media, but these are real human beings suffering.

Q & A

Who are the two girls mentioned in the transcript, and why are they sharing their stories?

The two girls, Leila and Heba, are sharing their stories about being used as sex slaves by ISIS. They are from moderate Muslim families and have firsthand experience of the horrors women face under ISIS.

Why is it dangerous for the girls to be identified?

It is too dangerous for the girls to be identified because speaking out against ISIS and sharing their personal stories of abuse could put them and their families at risk of retaliation.

What happened to Leila before she escaped ISIS?

Before escaping, Leila lived with her family and got married, but her husband was killed in an airstrike. Despite being fully covered, she caught the attention of an ISIS soldier who forced her into sexual slavery.

What does the transcript suggest about the importance of sex for ISIS fighters?

The transcript suggests that sex is extremely important for ISIS fighters, with women being treated as sexual objects. One of the girls explains that pleasing the men sexually is expected every night and that it is considered important for them after a day of fighting.

How does ISIS treat women whose fighter husbands have died?

When a fighter dies, his wife is passed on to another fellow fighter, perpetuating a cycle of forced sexual slavery.

What was going on in the minds of the girls during their captivity?

The girls describe feelings of helplessness and trauma, as they were mentally trapped and addicted to the fear and abuse imposed by their captors.

How did Leila manage to escape ISIS?

Leila was able to flee from ISIS and cross the border into Turkey, where she hopes to rebuild her life.

What emotions does the interviewer express after hearing the girls' stories?

The interviewer expresses shock and frustration, commenting on how stories like these are often reduced to mere statistics or numbers in the news, even though they represent real human suffering.

What broader message does the transcript convey about the impact of extremist beliefs on women?

The transcript highlights the devastating impact that extremist beliefs, such as those held by ISIS, have on women, who are often treated as sexual objects and subjected to abuse, oppression, and violence.

Why is it important to share the stories of women like Leila and Heba?

Sharing their stories is important to raise awareness about the horrors women endure under extremist groups like ISIS. It humanizes the victims, showing their courage and resilience while highlighting the need for action to prevent such atrocities.