International curriculum to train caregivers of trafficking survivors

Overview

The Faith Alliance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAAST), formed in 2003 to eliminate slavery and trafficking throughout the world. Committed to faith-based principles valuing the physical, emotional, and spiritual dignity of the whole person, the Alliance is committed to combating modern-day slavery, one of the most degrading crimes against human beings today.

Members of FAAST include Project Rescue International, The Salvation Army World Service Office, World Hope International and World Relief -- faith-based, community-oriented, and non-profit organizations.

The goal this particular FAAST initiative is develop a curriculum for caregivers of persons who have been sexually trafficked. The curriculum will focus on a) promoting the need for caregivers through awareness and information training, b) providing a basic working knowledge of issues faced by those trafficked, and c) preparing new and existing caregivers with basic skills for the overall care of persons who have been trafficked.

Need

Trafficking in persons, especially women and children, for the purpose of sexual exploitation is quickly becoming the world's fastest growing industry and most profitable criminal activity. It is estimated that virtually every country in the world is involved in this industry, whether as country of origin, transit or destination of victims. UNICEF estimates that one million children alone are forced, sold, abducted or coerced into the commercial sex trade annually. Worldwide, 800,000 - 900,000 people are trafficked every year.
The direct care of trafficking victims is complex and organizations are responding to aspects of this need with safe houses, counseling, limited training for caregivers, and other interventions. However, a comprehensive curriculum that guides the caregiver in how to effectively and appropriately respond to the complex needs of the trafficked person is desperately needed.

The Project

Wellspring International has joined the efforts of FAAST curriculum development by participating in the funding of the design aspect of the program, specifically, the writing of the academic and community based tracks of the curriculum. The curriculum is scheduled to be launched in Washington DC in September 2007.

Project Rescue International is the project lead for this initiative. FAAST members represent partnership networks in over 200 countries and maintain connections with thousands of faith communities in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe. This network will implement the training of the curriculum. The final curriculum will be an invaluable resource available to all NGOs, CBOs, academic institutions, local governments and individuals responding to the sex trafficking crisis.