Each survivor has a different story. Traffickers are experts at exploiting weakness and vulnerability, both of which are found in poverty, desperation, and chaos. Victims are often deceived or coerced into prostitution under the impression that they will have a respectable job and a decent wage in a new, exciting city. Whether women leave for a “new job” on their own volition, are unknowingly sold by their family as a means of providing another source of income, or are lured or kidnapped in a public place, women and children that end up in prostitution have been exploited. As soon as the girls make the journey to a new city or nation, they experience violence and intimidation by exploiters who beat them into submission and force them into sexual slavery. Often they are never seen or heard from again by their families.

Although paying for the “debts” owed to traffickers is the quickest way to get women and girls out of slavery, paying for one girl’s release puts money in the hands of exploiters to purchase other girls for slavery. This is a cycle and system of injustice we are fighting to end, rather than fueling it with more money. Each victim’s release is negotiated whenever possible in partnership with the local government and other local organizations.

After a victim is rescued they are taken to an aftercare home — a safe place where they can heal and be nurtured. In our aftercare homes, survivors receive the loving message of God, counseling, education, general medical care, basic literacy training, and vocational training leading to financial independence. Hospice care is also provided for women and girls with progressive HIV/AIDS.

Each rescued woman is welcome to stay until she feels she is ready to move out and live on her own. Some survivors need more time than others to heal. Our main concern is that every woman and child in the care of our affiliated ministries is fully provided for and never has to return to the dark world of sexual slavery. Once women leave the programs, they go on to live in the community, often working in a vocation they learned in the Project Rescue affiliated program. We celebrate that many women formerly in slavery have become successful entrepreneurs. Others now work in the rescue and restoration of other trafficked women and children.

The vicious world of sexual exploitation and trafficking is not only harmful to women. We do have boys homes in Southern Asia that minister to and are invested in the growth of young boys born and raised in red-light districts. Where girls born in red-light districts become the next generation of prostituted women, boys born there often become the next generation of traffickers, pimps, and customers. We seek to end this destructive cycle by raising up a generation of young men of integrity and compassion that are intent on changing their culture.

Visit our education page for additional resources and information.