[Vause:] France and Germany have renewed a friendship pact, first ratified in the 1960s in an effort to deal with rising populism on the continent. Now, during appearance, the French president and the joint councilor have warned nationalism is the threat to all of Europe. CNN's Jim Bittermann has more.
[Jim Bittermann, Cnn Senior International Correspondent:] It was like an old married couple getting together to renew their wedding vow at France and Germany getting together, 56 years after they signed what was called the Elysee Treaty. A treaty that showed that they could cooperate after World War II. The bitter enemies getting along in terms of culture and economics, and security, and those kinds of things this time around. It was to intensify those kind of links that Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel got together and signed a treaty in Aachen, Germany. And basically, the treaty provides for all kinds of different lengths to be strengthened. It's a very generalized term not big on specifics. Although, the one that's being cited most often here is this mutual defense treaty which provides for Germany to come become to the defense of France and perhaps to become to the defense of Germany should they be attacked. Jim Bittermann, CNN, Paris.
[Vause:] Now, the CNN's ongoing "FREEDOM PROJECT" which highlights the epidemic of human trafficking around the world, and the latest U.N. report is warning this billion-dollar industry has taken on horrific dimensions. Warning the number of victims is on the rise, while armed groups and terrorists are trafficking women and children to generate funds and recruit. The report notes globally more victims are being found and more traffickers sent to jail. But at the same time, there's been a big increase in the number of children being bought and sold, and far more girls are being trafficked than boys. As shocking and as depressing as this report is in many ways, it fits in with the perception most have of human trafficking. Victims who extra been vulnerable, living in poverty, and conflict zones. But human trafficking is a crime which could happen in a market part of London, and the victim can be a model turned aspiring actress.
[Frida Farrell, Film Actress:] Are you going to kill me?
[Unidentified Male:] Our client is coming back a few days.
[Farrell:] Why are you doing this to me?
[Vause:] As part of the trailer from Apartment 407, based on the true story of actress Frida Farrell, who wrote and stars in the movie which has just had its worldwide release. And as part of this, Frida joins us now from Los Angeles. Thank you for coming in. Thank you for being with us.
[Farrell:] Thank you for having me, John.
[Vause:] I want to start with the news from the U.N. First thing about the surge in the numbers of trafficking victims. As a survivor of the sex trade industry, as a survivor as someone who is kidnapped, that is must be especially disturbing.
[Farrell:] Yes, very disturbing. The fact that is rising and rising and rising, and it never ends. So, we need to find an end to this. And I believe that education is one of them. We need to educate our youngsters and show them red flags and how not to get into it. It's a serious subject that is not talked about enough. So, I'm glad talking about it.
[Vause:] We treated to see your movie basically because you didn't talk publicly about your ordeal for years. Was there one moment, an incident which you know, made you decide that after 14 years, staying silent was no longer an option.
[Farrell:] It was no longer an option. We were making a film and I was basically talked into making a film about my own story. Which I was hesitant about since I hadn't told anyone at all. And going from telling zero people to telling the world, basically, felt very intimidating. But I felt if I can do this, and instead of thinking about myself and my story help other women. Either get over what happened to them or make sure they don't end up in a situation that I was in, then my job is done. And my and I'm you know, using the film in my story for the right reasons.
[Vause:] So, for all these years, there were so many people out there, people who were close to you that they had no idea of this trauma you'd gone through that you know, that essentially, you were a young model, it was back in London's a guy approached you about you know what, a modeling job and you can't over a bit suspicious but you followed through on it. And that's when you were taken at knifepoint, right?
[Farrell:] Yes, I did go for a casting in London. I was a student at a time. I just finished drama school. And I went for a casting thinking it is good money, and I had been modeling. So, it wasn't something new to me. And then, he called me back. He said, "The client loves you, you want to come back and did the job?" Then I was like, "Yes, I would love too, its great money. I went back to the same place, and the same person opened the door and I stepped into the place where you know, the day before had been people, fruit, coffee, tea, a backdrop photographer, and today, nobody was there, it was dark and cold. And I stepped in and he quickly locked the door behind me and pulled out a knife.
[Vause:] And you managed to get out what, after three days because of the slip-up, right?
[Farrell:] Yes, I did. I was
[Vause:] Did he left the door unlocked?
[Farrell:] He did left the door unlocked. And I was I consider myself one of the lucky ones.
[Vause:] Yes.
[Farrell:] Because the escape rate right now is less than two percent.
[Vause:] Wow.
[Farrell:] So, I'm really lucky.
[Vause:] Well, unlucky and lucky I guess, but all at the same time. You know, this is not an easy movie to watch and that's how it should. Here's one part which shows this total inverse power relationship which exists between the kidnapper and victim.
[Unidentified Male:] I'd like it. If I don't have to don't have to do this again. OK?
[Vause:] How does it feel for you to watch that back, and how do you describe that a feeling of being totally helpless?
[Farrell:] I say it makes my heart beat faster. Yes, it's hard to watch.
[Vause:] OK, yes.
[Farrell:] I was very hard. It was hard to edit the film, took years to edit because it was hard for me to watch the scenes over and over and over. It was hard enough to film it. But then, just sit and watch everything again and again and again, it just, I had to take years to do it.
[Vause:] You know, there's a feeling of being totally helpless and being powerless. And did you have that when you went to the police after you escaped and you tried to report what had happened and they didn't believe you?
[Farrell:] No, unfortunately. And I don't like to paint out the police in London to be anything but good because they're great. And they have changed the ways there are now. I suppose to
[Vause:] It is just 14 years ago, we should say.
[Farrell:] Yes.
[Vause:] But at the time, though.
[Farrell:] Yes, at the time, I ended up with two young guys who it was in the evening and I walked in, and I was telling them my story. And they kind of went "OK, let's come and sit in this room and talk about it." And I told him the whole story and they're like, "Well, did he force you in? Did he grab you? Was he physical and forced you in?" And I was like, "No, no, he didn't. I walked in on my own but under false pretenses." So, I was trying to defend myself in the matter but I just it was hard as a woman on my own sitting there trying to retell my story. And then, I wasn't believed. I think that was a huge part of why I was silent for so long too. I was embarrassed and ashamed.
[Vause:] And we will just finish up here for you. But look, the point is the things have changed, the police take a different approach now.
[Farrell:] Yes.
[Vause:] But they take a different approach because people have spoken out like you.
[Farrell:] Yes.
[Vause:] So, things are changing. And hopefully, they continue to change especially you know, in light of this movie. So, thank you.
[Farrell:] Thank you.
[Vause:] And thank you for joining us. I'm John Vause. After the break, Becky Anderson will continue our special coverage from the World Economic Forum. And Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong will have all the day's news from around the world. You're watching CNN.