A safehouse is a home for women who have left prostitution behind. Here they complete a rehabilitation program, develop their skills, and prepare to return to life as functioning citizens.
The women came from a life of coercion, violence and exploitation – experiences that result in lifelong trauma. This is precisely why training committed employees is a high and significant priority.
The 30 staff members produced Guidelines for Rehabilitation and Reintegration – a resource that can be used by all safehouses in Nigeria. The community that emerged between these 30 staff members is invaluable and the resource is the first of its kind. The community that emerged in the process resulted in visits to each other and women from nearby safehouses meeting for social events.
One of the strengths of the project was that the MeCAHTS program manager repeatedly visited the 10 safehouses to monitor and support ongoing and sustainable development.
Over a period of 2 years, 250 women lived in these 10 safehouses and for them it became crucial to be supported and taught by trained and competent staff.