Empower survivors of commercial sexual exploitation in the Philippines with camps tailored to meet their particular needs.

Why we care: After being commercially sexually exploited, multi-faceted support is critical to prevent re-victimization and recovery.

How we’re solving this: Provide support, education and trainings for survivors through model camps.

Empowerment for survivors involves developing a greater awareness of survivor’s human rights as women, and locating their experience within social injustice.
 
CATW-Asia Pacific (CATW-AP) has developed annual innovative camps to provide support, education and trainings to survivors of commercial sexual exploitation. This three-day camp facilitates the strengthening of self-help groups among survivors of sex trafficking.  These camps are designed to provide multi-faceted support to survivors including counseling, to equip survivors with knowledge about women’s rights, to create a safe space to share their experiences, and to provide trainings in leadership and organizing.
 
During the camp, survivors revisit their dreams and plans before they were trafficked, an important step towards self –recovery. In learning about women’s human rights, the women realize how much of their experiences have been volatile, and relationships were defined by unequal gender relations. The trainings facilitate reflection and initiate a journey towards healing.
 
To date, three yearly Survivors’ Basic Education Camp on Gender Issues, Sexuality and Prostitution, and on Leadership, Organizing, and Financial Management have been conducted in the Philippines with great success and outstanding feedback from survivors. Each camp has been facilitated by survivors who participated in the previous camp.
 
With your support, we can hold three groundbreaking camps to empower survivors of commercial sexual exploitation in the Philippines.