Fighting Trafficking Internationally

July 24, 2018

Fighting Trafficking Internationally

Deep Water is steadfastly dedicated to the fight against human trafficking. We consider this to be one of the greatest injustices in the world today. Along with our partnership in the fight against trafficking at home (by helping women, by education in schools, through prevention, protection & partnership), we are partnering with an organization that fights this evil abroad. World Hope International (WHI) has been a leader in anti-trafficking and anti-exploitation work in West Africa for over a decade. Their workload is heavy, as an estimated 43,500 people in Sierra Leone are currently enslaved through some form of sexual or labor exploitation. WHI is also the only service provider in the country serving victims of trafficking with comprehensive and confidential services.

WHI has seen huge strides in their ministry in the last year, and we are thrilled to be able to partner with them. Here are a few of the highlights from WHI’s last year:

• Survivors were given medical treatment.

• Survivors were supported in their emotional and psychological recovery process through individual counselling.

• Survivors were provided educational instruction in First Aid Arts, life skills, and personal hygiene.

• WHI Recovery Centre staff received training on trauma from a psychotherapist and on the Sierra Leone Sexual Offences Act, so they are better able to help Survivors know their rights.

• WHI supported investigations and prosecutions to bring trafficking perpetrators to justice

• Assessments and bonding sessions between survivors and their family members/caregivers were done to prepare Survivors for reintegration

• WHI worked with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs (MSWGCA) staff on intake approval, data collection, referrals and reintegration/assessment activities

• Trafficking In Persons (TIP) training was provided to police officers

• TIP training was provided to staff answering the “Childline” hotline

WHI believes in God’s desire for freedom and justice for the oppressed and the violated.

'We envision mercy and compassion for the disempowered, healing for the abused, and recovery for the victims of exploitation. These convictions are our passion; they are the reasons why we work so hard every day to serve victims of human trafficking and gender-based violence, and why we are committed to doing all we can to prevent such crimes from happening in the first place.’ - World Hope International

Thank you, Deep Water, for your commitment to fight human trafficking by supporting WHI.