Prevention Update (April 2024)
The purpose of Rapha's Prevention program is to help strengthen families and communities and to promote the protection of children from exploitation and abuse.
The program equips Community Workers to offer education, training, and social support, facilitate activities at Rapha’s Kids Club Community Centers, and administer services to vulnerable families and children. It also provides resources for families (food, clothing, healthcare, and housing support) and education support for children (tuition, school supplies, and uniforms).
Misinformation about Human Trafficking
Human trafficking does not happen in a vacuum. It is deeply impacted by its context–the social, economic, political, and other circumstances in which it occurs. Conflicts, migrations, disasters, and other events influence the dynamics of human trafficking. Over the last few decades, the internet has made profound changes in the way human trafficking is perpetrated, investigated, and understood.
Merry Christmas from Stephanie Freed
Dear Friends of Rapha -
Each December, I look forward to seeing all the social media photos of children posing with Santa. Some children run happily into his arms and smile with excitement, while others scream in justifiable outrage at being photographed with this overwhelming stranger!
Advocating for Freedom
It was early morning on a Tuesday in Cambodia. The chickens had been awake for a while. The streets were busy with Tuk Tuks and motorcycles. This was my first time visiting Rapha International in Cambodia after being on staff in the US for several years. On that morning, we were jumping in a van with three girls and several Rapha staff members. We were not heading to work or school; we were on our way to the city courthouse to advocate for these three young girls who had experienced sexual abuse and human trafficking.
Sustainable Freedom for Sanoh
Sustainable freedom is the ultimate goal for every child served by Rapha. What is sustainable freedom? How does every child served by Rapha receive sustainable freedom? Read Sanoh’s story to see how sustainable freedom can be found in the life of a young survivor.
The United Nations Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime
Rapha is honored to have a seat at the table at the United Nations Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime. Rapha’s own Gerson Nozea, Haiti Country Director, has been working with this committee for the past year and a half and spent time in New York at the UN headquarters, advocating from a survivor-focused perspective with the goal of protecting the vulnerable from exploitation.
20 years of | healing | hope | freedom |
2023 is the 20th year of Rapha’s work with vulnerable and victimized children. In 2003, Rapha’s first Survivor Sare campus was established in Battambang, Cambodia. Since then, three more residential Survivor Care campuses, three Prevention Centers, and four community-based service centers have been established in Cambodia, Thailand, Haiti, and the United States. Over the last 20 years, thousands have been impacted by Rapha’s mission- to end the trafficking and sexual abuse of children- one child, one family, and one community at a time.
Rapha Thailand - 2022 Outstanding Anti-Trafficking Organization
Rapha Thailand was recognized as the Outstanding Anti-Trafficking Organization of the Year by the Thai government! Pictured here, one of Rapha's Legal Officers, Po, accepted the award on behalf of Rapha Thailand. We are honored to receive this award and grateful for the dedication and hard work from our team in Thailand.
Sira's Story - From Silence to Song
When Sira first arrived at Rapha’s Survivor Care Campus, she had felt cornered and alone. She didn’t believe anyone there had her best interest at heart because no one ever had. Sira made sure they all knew she wasn’t naive and wouldn’t “fall for their kindness.” Instead, she would look out for herself and her own interests. She had always done that and being at Rapha wasn’t going to change that. Sira was prepared to fight, but she wasn’t prepared for anyone to fight alongside her, to fight for her.
Sound of Freedom Statement
We are grateful that the newly released film, The Sound of Freedom, is sparking conversations about child sex trafficking. Rapha depends upon committed advocates all over the world to continue our work with child survivors and vulnerable communities. If you've seen the film and want to take action, this article provides some next steps!
Understanding Human Trafficking
Worldwide there are nearly 50 million people who are impacted by human trafficking on a yearly basis. Of those, 1 in 4 is a child. While awareness of the issue is rising, so is misinformation. Many have an idea that trafficking is associated with violence. However, in the vast majority of instances of child trafficking, the perpetrator knows the child and has won their trust through grooming
Chan’s Story
Running on the muddy, pothole-filled road, in a hurry to get home to watch her sister, an older man from her village drove by and offered to give Chan a ride. Relieved at the chance to get home sooner, Chan hopped in the man’s truck.
The Church’s Investment in Trauma Therapy
Healing is unquestionably a defining principle of Christian ministry, and healing with excellence should be a priority for the modern Church
Trauma-Focused Therapy
Child survivors need intensive, specialized services that are designed to mitigate the impacts of trauma and restore children to health.
Prevention at Rapha
“We do the best we can until we know better. Then, when we know better, we do better.” Rapha International’s approach to prevention is always looking to do better.
What are Counter ACEs? Understanding How to Prevent and Reduce the Impacts of Trauma
Guardians, teachers, social workers, family members, friends, and neighbors play a critical role in providing positive childhood experiences that change the trajectory of a child’s life and how they respond to stress as adults. The more counter-ACEs a child has, the less severe the long-term physical and mental consequences.
What are ACEs? Understanding the Impacts of Trauma
ACE’s, or adverse childhood experiences, occur when a child experiences a traumatic event or environmental factors that threaten their sense of safety, stability, and bonding.