AFRICANS
AGAINST
SLAVERY

   We offer anyone that comes to our office requesting our assistance a variety of services we have in place to enable them to deal with their situation and make necessary adjustments.  All our services are designed to free the victims from their predicaments and help them live a normal life.  Our approach when a victim comes to us for assistance depends on the circumstance.  However, the guiding paradigm is to complete the intake process, identify the problems and tasks through service plans and develop an appropriate protective response through team case conferences.  We strongly believe that a lot of issues are resolved through counseling to the victims as well as to the slave masters and madams if they are willing to participate.  A lot of issues get resolved through the mediation and conflict resolution ("African community cultural system") model if the traffickers and/or "host parents" are willing to participate and cooperate in freeing their captive.  Further referrals for services are made only when necessary.

REFERRAL SOURCE

COST

NETWORKING / LINKAGE

PROGRAMS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANS

1) Anti-Human Trafficking and Slavery Program

   Africans Against Slavery intends to raise awareness of the plight of human trafficking victims and assist them to gain freedom and live a normal life.  We also intend to correct the erroneous impression that human trafficking and slavery, especially of children (housemaids, servants, etc.), is part of African culture, because it is not.  Rather, it is an example of institutional decay and corruption, and is also an example of exploitation of the poor, the illiterate and the powerless families of the continent.  Not normally lured into trafficking and slavery are the children of the wealthy, the influential, rulers, chiefs and others in positions of power, both in public and private sectors.  The victims are normally individuals who do not have opportunities to make a good life and who do not have hope of a better future in the society due to their socio-economic status.  The victims do clearly want to get out of the situation but are hindered for several reasons.  Some of the reasons are: the complex nature of their immigration status, lack of money or skills to survive independently, their view of authority (and unawareness of the fact that the law protects them), the predominant illiteracy, fear, a twisted view of culture and lack of support.

   Africans Against Slavery intends to engage available resources, apply best practices and coordinate short-term and long-term services to help victims of trafficking.

2) Human Trafficking Prevention Program in Africa

   Africans Against Slavery intends to establish equipped bases in rural villages in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa where traffickers have been procuring children and adults from poor families.  The offices will be used to launch mass enlightenment campaigns to generate awareness and resources.  They will also be used to coordinate other activities to combat human trafficking and slavery at its root.  The African initiatives will follow the United Nations' established model for combating trafficking, namely:

• raising awareness about the plight of trafficked children and other victims
• providing economic support to families at risk
• enhancing access to, and quality of, education
• advocating the rights of children
• encouraging economic empowerment of women through vocational training and development of trades and skills

   The first thing that comes to mind when one mentions domestic violence or spouse abuse is men physically abusing their spouses.  Although that is mostly the case, there are quite a number of men who are victims of domestic violence as well and are in need of services.  Some who cry out for help are ridiculed, scolded and literally shouted down.  This group of men does constitute an underclass, and their issues are not recognized, not researched and remain unaddressed.  They wallow in silence, confusion and pain.  The consequences are yet unknown.

   Africans Against Slavery intends to be an advocate for all victims, including men and women.  We will not discriminate or deny any victim our services based on gender or sexual orientation.  Africans Against Slavery believes that by extending services to male victims of domestic abuse as well, we will invariably reduce and possibly eliminate the potential for domestic violence.

   The divorce rate within the new immigrant African communities is very high.  Enough studies have not been done to understand the trends and contributory factors.  The effect of conflicting social values and customs of the traditional communities and their current social settings has not been adequately studied.  Africans Against Slavery hopes to study and address these issues through this program.