Restoration and education for 36 trafficked girls

In the first half year of 2018, 8 survivors of sexual exploitation who had been staying in the Half Way Home shelter have so far been safely reintegrated with their family. They have received follow up support and will still be followed up on.

A difficulty that many survivors face is that they are often looked down upon and shame and stigma makes reintegration difficult. In order to support the girls and the families in the reintegration process, Free a Girl's partner organisation introduced a parent interaction programme. This way, families can talk with each other and someone from our partner organisation about this problem. This creates understanding and plays a role in preventing recidivism.

Besides the parent interaction programme, another successful project which results in raising awareness is the multimedia project. 12 girls are currently receiving training on photography, video and computer skills. Within this multimedia training, they learn practical skills and they can express their feelings and ideas. They also become agents of change, by making photos and videos that help with raising awareness about the problem of commercial sexual exploitation. The courses that the girls receive include: photography, visual and oral storytelling, learn how to use a camera and a computer and learning how to edit a video. 

The girls in the shelter receive education and/or vocational training.In order to realise sustainable change it is important to provide alternatives for survivors, families and communities for commercial sexual exploitation. We are very happy that the girls are rescued and are now receiving support in order to increase social, economic and cultural sustainable inclusion. 

Forty-five survivors took refuge at the half-way home in 2017 and relied on the home for their shelter and essential needs. They received vital emotional and practical help, such as medical care, counselling, education and job support. Depending on their needs and circumstances, about a third of the girls received formal schooling, and the other girls, who are illiterate, were provided with non-formal education. Many girls also completed vocational training, including hospitality, waitressing, housekeeping and beautician, and bead jewellery courses. These courses are provided by the national Council of Technical Education and Vocational Training or registered private agencies.

There is also a job coordinator at the shelter, whose objective is to find job placements for girls who are ready to work following the completion of a training course and who are ready to reintegrate into communities and continue building their lives. Job placement is crucial for survivors, as it enables them to become economically independent, an active member of society and keeps them safe from being re-trafficked. However, one of the biggest challenges for these girls is the social stigma that is associated with their past traumas, which often prevents them from getting employed as many employers do not want to hire them. Therefore we are proud to report that despite this, 8 girls successfully obtained jobs as cooks, housekeepers, a beautician and a cashier.

During this time, many girls also decide to file human trafficking cases in court. All survivors are made aware about the legal procedure, and girls can decide for themselves if they want to file a case upon having all the information. Last year the legal team filed 8 cases in the district court

The other girls gladly reintegrated with their families who are usually based in rural areas. First and foremost, the staff visited the family and community to check that these spaces are safe from trafficking and other exploitation risks. It is also important to assess how supportive families are towards the girls. When such a risk assessment does not yield positive results, then the girls are supported to reintegrate into urban areas or are referred to long-term shelter support organisations that can provide them with housing and other essential services; in 2017, there were 6 girls who needed such support. When there are low risks, the girls return home , which was happily the case for the majority of the girls.

Thank you to all the supporters and donors throughout 2017 who enabled crucial services and care to be provided to these girls!