the rush to get on board the ship a testimony of how frightened they are, strabded in the water. the libyan skipper abandoned them. no water or food. no one knew how to steer the boat. people were panicking. the suffering is etched on their faces. some stare into oblivian, trying to come to terms with what they have been through. >> they left behind two children. they lost contact with him. when war broke out there two months ago. >> we co not talk or ask anything in libya. each time we opened our mouth we'd beat us with a stick. they raped us until we paid money. it was horrible. i never expected to be treated like that in another country. there was no mercy. >> i thank italy. no one has been so nice to us in a long time. >> the women huddled together. the ship is taking them away from the african coast. forgetting the rape and humiliation will not be possible. many teenagers, fled from somali. they caught up with him. >> reporter: in sudan i was captured and locked in a house. i was penniless. i left with nothing on me. i was hoping to find compassion. >> today is my birthday.