ANNA
“I want to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for all the support you have provided me. Your generosity and kindness have made a profound difference in my life. I am especially grateful for the transportation support you provide, which has enabled me to participate in various activities that are essential for my growth and healing. I am truly thankful for your unwavering support and belief in my potential. You have not only provided resources but also hope and encouragement, which means the world to me.”
This message was conveyed to STOP by *Anna* when she left Hong Kong after months of emotional and financial struggle while waiting for her case to be heard.
Anna was arrested at the Hong Kong airport on her way to the Philippines to process a new employment visa. She was handcuffed at the airport departure area and taken to a police station where she was detained for 24 hours before she was allowed to leave after posting bail. She was charged with money laundering; a matter she knew nothing about. Her identity had been used by scammers to deposit HKD289,000 into an online bank.
Anna arrived in the office trembling and very distraught. She relayed that being handcuffed by the Police affected her sleep and caused anxiety attacks. STOP referred her to counselling and offered her ongoing support for daily necessities, transportation allowance and visa extension fees. Despite being on bail, which prohibited her from leaving Hong Kong, Anna was still made to regularly pay $230 to extend her visa.
After eight months of receiving counselling and support from STOP, the Police dismissed all charges and allowed her to return home. STOP provided her with an air ticket home and some financial support for repatriation.
Without support from STOP, Anna may have felt that she had no choice but to accept a plea bargain for crimes that she didn’t commit. The emotional and financial support provided by STOP gave Anna the time and the strength to fight her case. Equally, without the visa extension money provided by STOP, Anna risked being further arrested for overstaying her visa, despite also being prohibited by her bail conditions from leaving Hong Kong.
「我想藉此機會，衷心感謝大家一直以來給予我的所有支持。你們的慷慨與善意，為我的生活帶來深遠影響。特別感激團隊提供的交通支援，讓我得以參與各種對我成長和康復至關重要的活動。對於你們堅定不移的支持，以及信任我的潛能，實在萬分感謝。你們不僅提供了資源，更帶給我希望和鼓勵，這對我而言意義非凡。」
這番話是 Anna 離開香港時向 STOP 團隊傾訴的心聲。此前，她經歷了數月情緒和財務困境，等待其案件審訊。
Anna 在前往菲律賓辦理新工作簽證時，於香港機場被捕。她在機場離境區被戴上手銬，被帶到警署拘留 24 小時後，才獲准保釋離開。她被控洗黑錢，但她對此毫不知情。原來她的身份遭騙徒盜用，將一筆 289,000 港元的款項存入一網上銀行戶口。
Anna 來到 STOP 辦公室時，全身顫抖，情緒極度不安。她憶述，被警方戴上手銬的經歷令她夜不成眠，更引發焦慮症。STOP 團隊為她轉介心理輔導，同時持續提供日常生活必需品、交通津貼及簽證延期費用等支援。儘管Anna在保釋期間被禁止離開香港，她仍需定期支付230港元以延長她的簽證。
在接受 STOP 團隊輔導和支援八個月後，警方撤銷了所有控罪，允許她返回家鄉。STOP 團隊為她提供了回程機票及一些遣返經濟援助。若沒有 STOP 團隊的支援，Anna 可能會覺得別無選擇，只能就自己未曾犯下的罪行接受認罪協商。STOP 團隊提供的情緒支援和經濟援助，給予 Anna 時間和力量去為自己抗辯。重要的是，若沒有 STOP 團隊提供的簽證延期費用，即使保釋期間不准離港，Anna 仍可能因逾期滯留而再次被捕。