Implementation of an Empowerment Center and Mental Health Program for Women Survivors of Sexual Violence in Haiti: Challenges and Prospects
Jeff Matherson Cadichon, PhD | September 23 | 1:45-2:45 PM
Topic: Programming, International | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
In Haiti, one out of four women aged 18 to 24 years experienced at least one incident of sexual abuse as a child, about 4% of females aged 18 to 24 years received money, food, gifts, or other favors in exchange for sex prior to age 18 year, and more than one in 10 Haitian women have faced sexual violence at some point in their lives (CDC, 2015; DWB, 2017). Today, the number of girls and women who report experiencing sexual violence continues to be alarmingly high. Longer-term, safe, and secure shelter solutions remain one of the greatest and most urgent needs for a lot of survivors. The presenter will explore the importance of the mental health program of Nadege Inc., a non-profit organization that is implementing an empowerment center, focused on providing holistic care to women who have been trafficked and/or have experienced sexual exploitation in Haiti. He will investigate the five-phase system (acceptance, empowerment, creating safety, understanding, and community application) that is designed to help the residents move toward independent living and self-sufficiency. The healing services provided are focusing on psychological, physical, vocational, social, and spiritual well-being. The presentation not only describes the program and its positive results, but it also discusses risk factors of sexual violence for women survivors in the Haitian context, such as lack of social services for follow-up and protective care, inaccessible medical and psychological care for all rape survivors, political unrest, bad living conditions, insecurity, and the rise in kidnappings.
Presentation Objectives:
· Describe process and strategies for providing holistic care to Nadege Inc. safe house survivors of sexual violence
· Discuss risk factors of sexual violence for women survivors in the Haitian context