The Reality: For 10 years, the Daughters of Charity in Sardinia have worked with immigrant women who have been victims of human trafficking. One Sister describes their situation, “These are women who are seeking equality, respect, freedom, autonomy and well-being for themselves and their families, but, they have fallen into the spiral of modern slavery. They are abused, violated and sold several times. They have been robbed of their dignity as women and mothers, dispossessed of their right, to security, to liberty and to happiness by being forced by criminal organizations to prostitute themselves.”
The Response: There is a safe residence with individualized programs to help the women regain their independence. They have safe lodging, psychological support, access to health care, legal assistance, relationships with the police and judicial authority, educational and professional courses. There is always the possibility of voluntarily returning to their homeland protected and assisted, or, in case of necessity, of moving elsewhere. There is psychological counseling for the women to help them with their new choices in life.
The Responders: In their service the Sisters are helped by personnel who are specialized educators, cultural mediators of the same nationality as the women, and psychiatrists. Service is available to the women 24 hours a day.
Results. Since 15 March 2003, the day on which the “Escape House” was opened, 140 young women and 12 children have been rescued.
The Response: There is a safe residence with individualized programs to help the women regain their independence. They have safe lodging, psychological support, access to health care, legal assistance, relationships with the police and judicial authority, educational and professional courses. There is always the possibility of voluntarily returning to their homeland protected and assisted, or, in case of necessity, of moving elsewhere. There is psychological counseling for the women to help them with their new choices in life.
The Responders: In their service the Sisters are helped by personnel who are specialized educators, cultural mediators of the same nationality as the women, and psychiatrists. Service is available to the women 24 hours a day.
Results. Since 15 March 2003, the day on which the “Escape House” was opened, 140 young women and 12 children have been rescued.
