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OUR STRATEGY

The Beautiful Dream Society is comprised of individuals, organizations, government officials, and people like you who are committed to abolish injustice in the 21st century in the country of Lesotho and Southern Africa. Our goal is to raise awareness, take legal action where appropriate, and offer rehabilitation services to rescued victims of human trafficking in order to fight this injustice from a comprehensive approach. Additionally, we want to branch out to address this issue from a preventative standpoint, to cripple the human trafficking trade so there are fewer victims that need to be rescued.

PREPARATION

In preparation for the establishment of The Beautiful Dream Society, we conducted extensive research on human trafficking in Lesotho by visiting the on-site locations of shelters, orphanages, churches, rehabilitation centers, and legal advocacy offices. We also met with key members of police and government officials in both Lesotho and South Africa to discuss the most effective models for rescuing and restoring victims. Through our research, we have adopted the model of The A21 Campaign that will not only see victims truly set free, but will also fight this battle from a legal perspective.

THE BEAUTIFUL DREAM SOCIETY HEADQUARTERS

Having identified Lesotho, and in particular, South Africa as “a hub of human trafficking,” our initial response to the injustice of human trafficking is to pioneer the Beautiful Dream Centre in Maseru, Lesotho with the long-term intent of expanding into Ladybrand, South Africa just across the border where great need exists. The Beautiful Dream Centre will be launched in 2011 and will require the expertise and oversight of trained professionals to develop an effective rescue plan that seeks out the cooperation of law enforcement agencies and local NGOs. The purpose of the Beautiful Dream Centre will be to coordinate and administrate all aspects of required legal representation, government relations, volunteer recruitment and training, educational programs, and street outreach teams. Additionally, a small team will monitor the process required for rescue operations such as law enforcement cooperation and raids of facilities where trafficked victims may be forcefully held, as well as support for the staff of the Beautiful Dream Centre.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY

Our approach to the human trafficking issue is based on the four-part organization strategy outlined by International Justice Mission: 1) Victim relief, 2) Perpetrator accountability, 3) Victim after-care, and 4) Structural prevention. We are working this out through various Beautiful Dream initiatives:

1. Victim relief through the Beautiful Dream Centre

The Beautiful Dream Centre will be launched in 2011. Due to security reasons, a location separate from the Project Centre may be needed to begin a victim’s transition out of a life of bondage. During this phase, the victim will also receive access to initial medical care. A contracted social worker and/or psychologist will monitor the progress of the survivors, and help to teach basic skills to help victims understand and manage the psychological symptoms that have arisen as a consequence of their trafficking experiences. The aim of the Beautiful Dream Centre is to help trafficking victims move from crisis to stabilization-to a place where they are able to make an informed decision about their next step.

2. Perpetrator accountability through the Beautiful Dream Legal Team

Within the Beautiful Dream team, we will have a Lesotho lawyer available for legal counsel and advice, representing rescued-victims during criminal proceedings and/or possible compensation redress. Although some organizations insist that victims pursue legal proceedings in order to secure assistance, Beautiful Dream will not force victims to do so. However, legal options will be explained to all rescued-victims, and counsel will be available for those who want it. Legal representation will be a small, but significant part of the work of Beautiful Dream, which we hope to expand over time. Bringing perpetrators to justice is a key part to ensuring there is justice for victims, and we are committed to seeing perpetrators held accountable.

3. Victim after-care through referral to Restoration Programs

Although the Crisis Care Shelter program will help trafficking victims to find some initial stability, most will suffer, to some degree, from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) along with a range of emotional issues, which will likely require additional long-term assistance to overcome. Beautiful Dream will seek to link with programs that focus on the restoration and rehabilitation of trafficking victims and offer women leaving the Beautiful Dream Crisis Care Shelter the opportunity to transition into a more long-term restoration program. The aim of such a program will be to provide:

  • A psycho-educational component focused on the cognitive, behavioral, physiological, and emotional experience that makes up their daily lives.
  • Access to individual counseling services facilitated by trained psychologists and/or counselors.
  • Access to regular medical and psychological assessments by medical professionals.
  • Job training and education training that will assist them in re-entering society.Connection to organizations that will help to provide long-term support, as trafficking victims leave the restoration program and embark on rebuilding their lives.

4. Structural prevention through Beautiful Dream Prevent Initiatives

Although still in the inception stage, we are looking ahead to various ways in which Beautiful Dream can move beyond the rescuing and rehabilitation of victims, and on to the prevention of people being trafficked. Trafficking is a complex web involving many individuals, but we have managed to identify three key foci during our research into The Reason. They are:

1. Vulnerable girls

  • Awareness: There is a very real need for awareness to be spread throughout countries of origin, so that potential victims become mindful of the traffickers techniques. Possible initiatives may include:
  • Educational short-courses for high schools/community centres: Challenge young people to think through job offers and consider alternatives.
  • Investigation team: Assess the legitimacy of various individuals or pseudo-companies offering employment.
  • Employment: Provide those at risk of trafficking with employment opportunities as an essential part of breaking the trafficking cycle. If those at risk have employment opportunities at home, they are far less likely to accept risky job opportunities overseas. Possible initiatives may include:

1. Partnering with local businesses to create employment pathways.
2. Creating study scholarships through a sponsorship program.
3. Micro-enterprise initiatives.

2. Paying Clients

  • Awareness and Perceptions: The whole sex trafficking industry is funded by those who pay for sexual services, often unaware (or uncaring) about whether those providing services are working out of choice or under duress. Possible initiatives may include:
  • Media campaign: Prompt men to think through the consequences of their part in the sex industry and challenging preconceived sexist attitudes.
  • Educational short-course for schools: Aim to impact young men and address perceptions of women, sexuality, and peer-pressure.

3. Systematic Corruption

  • Corrupt Public Officials: Corruption within the public sector is a critical facilitator of the trafficking process and must be addressed. Possible initiatives may include:
  • Training: Working alongside police forces and border patrol officials to help them identify traffickers and trafficking victims. Additionally, training on the issues of corruption, conflicting interests, and the importance of upholding the law are key discussion topics.
  • Accountability: Building an independent commission, specifically focused on identifying and disciplining public officials that are involved in corruption concerning human trafficking.Job Acquisition and Transportation: A key part of the trafficking technique is the promise of employment without details and transportation without expense, and involve many corrupt transactions that victims are often initially unaware of. To work towards overcoming this corrupt system, possible initiatives may include:
  • Employment Assessment Agency: Teams can assist young women who are offered jobs in determining the offers are legitimate, and if so, provide safe transportation for the girls from their home towns to their new jobs. Thus, the actual trafficking process is undermined and corrupt officials are avoided.
  • Education for Future Job Holders: It is critical that we start working with the next generation of public officials and politicians.
  • School Initiatives: School-based, educational programs for all ages that teach the importance of upholding the law and the danger of corruption in the context of civic responsibility.