A Survivor's Journey

A Survivor's Journey

For those learning about the issue of sex slavery for the first time or living a very different life, it can be hard to imagine what the journey from victim to survivor looks like. Here, a member of the AFESIP team in Cambodia has documented the steps taken and services offered in the rescue, recovery and reintegration processes.

1. Rescue 

The first step in saving a life begins with a rescue mission conducted by our partners' legal and investigation departments.

Sex establishment raids – AFESIP & Police

AFESIP conducts raids on sex establishments when they have gathered evidence of trafficking, child prostitution, and other serious instances of exploitation. They plan for approximately six raids per year, though the actual number will obviously depend on the findings of investigations and informants, and the current situation in Cambodia. AFESIP always cooperates with the authorities when conducting raids and does not take women against their will. In exceptional situations, authorization may be granted by the Ministry of Social Affairs to provide shelter to minors against their will if it is deemed to be in the best interests of the child.

There are times when the authorities conduct their own raids, independent of AFESIP and our investigations, but they are sometimes invited by the police to oversee that the rights and dignity of the victims are upheld throughout the operation and that these women and girls have options once they are released from the sex establishment. At other times, AFESIP is contacted after the event of the raid if the authorities have victims in their custody.

In these cases, there is usually only a short period in which the women can legally be detained by the authorities and during which they can explain AFESIP programs. Understandably, many are cautious to trust the team, and they are not forced to come. 

Outreach Team & Medical Clinic

AFESIP's HIV/AIDS Outreach Team of social workers spends their days in brothels, public parks, karaoke bars, massage parlours, restaurants, and other places where sex is sold. They build relationships with these women, educating them on HIV, STIs, domestic violence, and drug abuse, and facilitate their use of the free medical clinic in Phnom Penh. Both the social workers and the clinic staff also use this as an opportunity to further encourage the women to leave the sex industry and undertake training in one of the residential centers.

Referrals – Government and other NGOs

Other NGOs, government departments, and community groups frequently alert the AFESIP team when they become aware of cases of trafficking and sexual exploitation which are beyond their own remit. If the women and girls fall into the target group, AFESIP will take them in. In cases of cross-border trafficking, the team is often contacted by partner organisations in the region who are aware of Cambodian nationals who have been trafficked.

Referrals – Individuals

Sometimes mothers, friends, or other relatives alert AFESIP to suspicious cases, or even bring women/girls directly to us if they feel they could benefit from our services. This is common in child sexual abuse cases, as the abuse can bring shame on the girl and her family, making it difficult for her to remain in her home community. As such, her mother might bring her to us, where she will have an opportunity to receive care and education without loss of dignity or fear of further abuse.

*note: faces have been blurred to protect the identity of the victims.

 2. Recovery 

The victim is then taken to a recovery center. In addition to safety and protection, the centers offer a medical/psychological assessment, evaluation of educational/social development, child care, and legal assistance. As Somaly often says, "It can take five minutes to save a girl from the brothel... but it can take five years - or ten, or more - to recover them." 

General & Community Assessments

New residents will undergo a series of initial assessments conducted by a doctor, nurses, counselors, and psychologists to collect an overview of the woman or girl’s background, current family situation, and physical and mental health conditions. Routine and responsive follow ups will then take place throughout her time with AFESIP, and sometimes it can take a matter of months or even longer to piece together the whole case.

Soon after arriving, AFESIP's reintegration team will also conduct a Community Assessment to better understand the socio-economic situation of the family and community of the woman/girl, as well as market opportunities in her hometown/village. This information helps to advise each individual resident of the safest location for her eventual reintegration, as well as which stream of skills training she should ideally pursue in terms of market demand in her area.

Settling In

New residents require different amounts of time to settle in to the routine of the shelter. Most will take a few days to a week to begin their training or education program. Some will take a little longer and might require a longer period of rest or medical or psychological treatment before starting their training.

For some, the change is vastly different from the life they have known outside, and the first month or two can be a very difficult period of adjustment. "False starts" are not uncommon, and some women will choose to leave within the first month. The staff does their best to encourage every resident to stay and to help them to feel comfortable. The Somaly Mam Foundation’s Voices For Change program is vital during this period for new arrivals, as the VFC survivors can provide very powerful encouragement and motivation to those who are having difficulty. 

3. Life at the Center

Morning Exercise 

The day to day program varies slightly for the centers geared toward the younger populations, but for all residents, the day starts with a morning exercise program to help keep them physically fit and mentally stimulated for their morning training and education programs.

Vocational Training

Residents at Siem Reap and Tom Dy centres choose between sewing, weaving, and hairdressing as their primary training. Training takes up the main part of their day, with classes from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., then again from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Upon completion of their training, women receive an official certificate from the Ministry of Labour and are recognized as graduates. This usually takes 18 months to two years. In some cases these women are now ready for reintegration; however, others might choose to stay longer and undertake external work experience internships or further specialized skills training courses.

The children at Kampong Cham can also learn basic skills in sewing and weaving in either the morning or afternoon, depending on their school schedule. 

Education

All residents at Kampong Cham are enrolled in the local public schools. In Cambodia, the day is split into two, where one group attends school in the morning and the other goes in the afternoon. This schedule changes monthly.

In addition to vocational training or formal education, the residents are divided into small groups who rotate to take supplementary classes in English, Khmer literacy, computing, agriculture, life skills, and small business management. These informal classes usually last about an hour each, and are fit into the vocational training schedule. 

Ongoing Medical Services

All residents receive a medical examination on arrival. They then receive a six-month check-up, and if specific health issues are identified (either through routine checks or if staff are alerted to a particular issue), more regular appointments and treatment might be necessary.

The doctor makes monthly visits to the centers, and a nurse/midwife is based in each regional location (Siem Reap and Kampong Cham) to handle daily medical issues. For treatment and medical services beyond AFESIP’s capacity, women are referred to specialist facilities, including clinics and other NGOs. Examples include the administration of anti-retroviral medication for residents who are HIV positive, and obstetric care for pregnant women.

Ongoing Psychological Services

As of 2011, each center has a psychologist on site. A counselor is based at the clinic, and a Head of Psychology, based in Phnom Penh, provides clinical supervision to all psychologists and is responsible for the management and development of the team and department.

At present, AFESIP conducts initial psychological assessments of all residents and routine follow-up assessments. As with medical issues, more frequent treatment is provided to cases as necessary. The psychologists are also on hand to deal with crises as and when they arise. In 2012, AFESIP will also be implementing a series of new activities in efforts to offer more preventative care and to reduce trauma symptoms. Such improvements include the introduction of yoga and meditation programs, and expressive healing games and activities, which will be built into residents’ weekly schedules.

Chores and Relaxation

Residents all take part in a roster system to contribute to the day to day running of the center, with chores such as cooking, cleaning, and gardening. Weekly resident meetings are held in all centers. With no staff present, the women and girls discuss amongst themselves any issues they are facing, how they feel about life in the center, and improvements they would like to see at AFESIP. Their elected resident representative is then responsible for preparing a report of any recommendations or requests which is submitted directly to President Somaly Mam. Specific issues are then brought to management meetings, as appropriate.

On weekends and evenings, the women can watch television, read (there are small libraries in each center), play, listen to music, make handicrafts and relax. For those who have families who they wish to visit, AFESIP usually facilitates three visits per year, usually during the major holiday times such as Khmer New Year. 

4. Reintegration

Job Placement/ Small Business Start-Up

When women are reintegrated into the community, they can receive a start-up kit to the value of US$700, containing a sewing machine or hairdressing materials and other equipment needed to start their own business. AFESIP provides mentoring support and follow-ups during this process. A Job Placement Officer based in Phnom Penh helps women to find job opportunities in social enterprises or private companies for those who prefer.

Singapore-based partner, Lotus Culture, established a small social enterprise in 2011 called Kumnit Thmey, which currently employs six former AFESIP residents as seamstresses.

Ongoing Support

The team makes monthly visits to reintegrated cases during the first three months after leaving AFESIP. They then make twice-yearly visits for about three years post-reintegration. During this time, the women can access medical and psychological support, and in some cases we may offer small additional micro-grants (to the value of about US$300) in situations where their business stands to benefit from expansion, or in exceptional cases where the woman and/or her family is in dire need of support: for example during the severe floods in late 2011, or a case where the family home of a reintegrated woman burned down.