There are several characteristics that are usually commonly found in a
“restavec”. The child will be a girl.4 She will be about nine years old and
possibly younger. In addition, she will have been born into extreme poverty
and she will be a black, dark-skinned child. Also, it is almost certain that she
will have suffered mental abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. Finally, in
most every case, the child will have a single simple wish: to return home from
her life as human commerce. However, the “restavec” has no literal, social or
political voice. The “restavec” has no life and her wishes are silent.