The young women who board a liner in the port of Genoa have no idea that they are being watched, nor what actually awaits them. Harald, who had recruited them for the trip with false promises, watches unnoticed, but cannot enjoy his success, because there are many people interested in the lucrative business with the girls, who are to be forced into prostitution. After two gangsters shoot the shady Lemaire, who had previously blackmailed Harald, he can return unmolested to Berlin to his compagnon Rolf, but the competition remains on his heels and threatens to disrupt the business.

The inmates of a reformatory for underage girls have had turbulent pasts: prostitution, crime, violence, and drugs dominated their lives. One of these young women is the rebellious Karin, who lets no one get close to her. Only the young pastor Johannes manages to reach her, bringing Karin's mysterious and sad past to light.