What is outreach?
Outreach involves seeking out those who are being exploited in the commercial sex trade, and helping them to find a way out. Our outreach team also act as the first point of contact in the community, for those who want to escape or report exploitation. We also work with victims of online exploitation.
The truth is that sexual exploitation and trafficking usually goes
Victims are
Students at university
unseen, but exploiters always prey on the most vulnerable.
What's the main cause of exploitation?
Vulnerability
When individuals are vulnerable they are more likely to be open to: manipulation, false promises, bribery, abuses, violence, quick solutions and control. Women and girls who are uneducated, desperate financially, homeless, lacking love, or far away from support systems, are often the most targeted.
Why we do outreach?
Many women and girls are lured into a life of slavery where their bodies are sold as commodities. The control tactics and manipulation often leave many victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking, feeling as if they have no other options, but they do. Our teamwork to locate women and girls who work in prostitution and brothels, as well as others who are being exploited or trafficked to offer support, healing, prayer, 'hope bags' and escape. We believe in having a public presence and building meaningful relationships within our communities.
Through a number of steps, we hope to see women and girls liberated from our streets and in our communities, and desire for them to know they are precious individual who deserves to be loved. It's our role to support them in their journey to wholeness.
Our outreach provides
HOPE . POINTS OF CONTACT . INFORMATION .
ADVICE . PHYSICAL FREEDOM . LOVE . SAFETY
The areas we work in
When we meet an exploited person.
First, we identify whether the victim is an adult whose circumstance may be more complex, or a child who needs immediate intervention
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Second, we reassure her that we will listen and take the necessary time to understand the nature of the situation. We empathise and reassure the individual that they can trust us, and are valued and loved.
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Thirdly, depending on the assessment of risk to the individual, we will extend the relevant support systems, lifelines, tracks on how they can contact us, prayer, hotline services, safety and refuge aswel as MET police intervention, where required.
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Fourthly, we identify any immediate needs, ensuring that the essentials for wellbeing have been provided in one of our ‘Tubman Bags’ with a track inside.
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Fifth, we provide her with the opportunity to escape her current situation and offer her the necessary services.
Monthly Advice and Counsel Group
Our victim and survivor care team runs a session from our South Norwood centre once a month, on every first friday from 10-12pm. You can drop in and meet with others in a safe environment, talking freely and confidentially, gaining support and counsel and participating in art therapy, as you take your own healing journey.
