For over 20 years, Rapha has been working to combat human trafficking and sexual abuse in Cambodia, Thailand, and Haiti. This work has taken many forms, including residential and non-residential holistic survivor care, family strengthening and support services, and community outreach and advocacy. It takes a global team of advocates to tackle the complex problems of trafficking and abuse. Learning about the issues and the work being done is the first step!

• Stephanie Freed, Angie Brower, Aryn Tanksley, Heather Nozea, and Bethany Johnson

A global child welfare issue threatening the safety of millions of children is the crisis of institutionalization; the orphanage crisis. All over the world, families are separated and children institutionalized because of poverty, lack of education, and lack of access to resources. In addition to the trauma of being separated from their parents, children in orphanages and children’s homes are at exceptionally high risk of abuse—at the hands of adults and older children—and severe neglect. International orphanages operate on funds from American churches, churches that may be unknowingly funding the systemic abuse of children.

• Stephanie Freed, Aryn Tanksley, and Heather Nozea

At its heart, Rapha is a child protection agency. In every community we serve and wherever our influence is felt, we strive to create safer homes, families, and communities for children. We believe that the church ought to be a beacon of safety and protection, but too often our churches and church leaders fall short of that responsibility. Open and honest conversations about preventing abuse, responding to allegations, and caring for victims are crucial for a church to grow in its capacity to be trauma-informed and truly safe.

• Stephanie Freed, Angie Brower, Aryn Tanksley, Heather Nozea, and Bethany Johnson

Rapha’s name comes from the Hebrew word, Jehovah-Rapha, the God who heals. There are many scriptures in the Old and New Testament that show God’s heart for justice, abuse, vulnerable people, and so much more. During these conversations, we will have open conversations about those scriptures and help point people to God’s heart throughout scripture.

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” – Psalms 82:3

• Stephanie Freed and Bethany Johnson

Trauma, especially trauma experienced in childhood, can have lifelong effects. In cases of complex or severe trauma, the trauma becomes a lens through which all experiences and relationships are viewed. Many studies have found that childhood trauma leads to poor mental and physical health, risky behaviors, and even early death. Childhood trauma interrupts developing immune, neurological, and cognitive systems, often causing permanent damage. Professional intervention after a traumatic event is critical to preventing these long-term negative impacts.

• Angie Brower and Heather Nozea