Aftercare, advocacy, rehabilitation, restoration. Whatever an organization calls it, they all refer to the same thing: providing healing to rescued victims of human trafficking so that they can transform, from victims to survivors, from a life of exploitation to a life of freedom.
When a victim is first rescued, they face a number of different obstacles that are as varied as the people are.
Some victims were sold by their own family members.
Some were taken to a country where they do not speak the language.
Some children were first trafficked so young that they never attended school.
Some are pregnant, or in need of other medical care.
Some were coerced by their traffickers to commit crimes and face criminal charges.
Some are addicted to drugs or alcohol.
All suffered abuse and trauma -- physical, emotional, psychological, and/or sexual.
All of them need a safe place to stay after being rescued.
There are many different organizations that work to meet the needs of victims:
A21 finds foster families for trafficked children who do not have a safe, loving family to return to.
Restore NYC and A21 provide language lessons to those staying in a country where they do not speak the language.
Operation Underground Railroad, A21, Restore NYC, and more provide safe homes where newly rescued victims can live and receive trauma counseling.
Love146, Saving Innocence, A21, and more get children into school so they can receive a proper education and have hope for a future.
Saving Innocence and others help them navigate the local healthcare system.
IJM, CAST, and others provide legal services and advocacy in court to get victims' criminal records expunged and to help them testify against their abusers.
CAST connects victims with drug/alcohol rehabilitation programs, continuing education opportunities, or whatever else they need to become independent.
Restore NYC, Operation Underground Railroad, and others provide job skills training.
All of them provide or connect victims with a safe place to stay and trauma counseling.
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