COMPASSION FIRST
Q: But first, to refresh our memories, could you share with us a little bit about the birth of Compassion First and what was the reason that you chose Indonesia as your location?
A: Compassion First (CF) began as an anti-trafficking organization in 2008. Our president and founder, Mike Mercer, wanted to go somewhere where there was little to no work being done. After learning that very little services were available for survivors in Indonesia, we settled on working there.
Field operations began in 2010 with the opening of our first aftercare shelter, named Sarah’s House, in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. To date, Compassion First continues to be one of the only Western organizations providing comprehensive aftercare services in Indonesia nation-wide.Q: What are the ways in which Compassion First fights human trafficking in Indonesia?
A: Compassion First’s three pillars of work are Prevention, After Care, and Government Collaboration.
PREVENTION
We prevent trafficking through community development and transit monitoring. Community centers offer holistic support, including scholarships, entrepreneurship, and events. Transit monitoring involves embedding staff in ports to intercept girls before they are trafficked.
SURVIVOR CARE
We provide personalized, trauma-informed care for girls who have been rescued from sex trafficking in secure 24-7 residential homes and through community-based care for those who have safe homes to return to.
GOVERNMENT COLLABORATION
We partner with local law enforcement, prosecutors, and governmental agencies toward case-managed investigation, intervention, and restoration. Our partnerships also include essential collaborations with Port police and authorities in transit monitoring.
Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago, comprised of over 18,000 islands. Girls are primarily trafficked through ferry ports and airports from their home islands to places of exploitation. These routes are commonly referred to as “trafficking pipelines".
Compassion First actively partners with law enforcement, providing support to authorities during investigations and to survivors and their families after rescue.
We also assist in prosecution of traffickers by preparing and accompanying a survivor if she is called to testify in court. Additionally, Compassion First’s professional conferences with local law enforcement as well as Indonesian and US authorities have significantly disrupted trafficking patterns between islands in Indonesia.
Q: The survivors' process of healing and restoration must be very challenging. Could you tell us about the aftercare programs you offer to help them in their journey?
A: At Compassion First, we believe each girl is resilient, strong, and capable of determining her own future. To that end, we shape our programs to provide individualized care for child survivors of sex trafficking. Within the context of a safe and loving home, our program emphasizes building resilience to overcome trauma.
We utilize a wrap-around model of care in which each girl is placed at the center of her program. She is mentored by her case coordinator, who provides guidance, wisdom and support.
Together, they set specific goals for her resiliency growth and monitor her progress as she plans for the future.
Counselors and case-coordinators work with residents, families, and communities to provide individualized trauma counseling, support groups, and therapy. A resident receives legal counsel, trial preparation, and accompaniment by a Compassion First staff member on the day of her witness in court.
Residents also receive in-shelter schooling and enrichment classes such as English, music, art, and dance; life-skills program and training; vocational and entrepreneurial support; and spiritual support programs.
Each girl is at the center of her program, but we are walking alongside and cheering her on all the way!
Q: Could you tell us a recent story of victory from the field, or from the survivors you serve?
A: Since opening our first community center in 2012, we have seen children graduate from high school, enroll in college, and find stable employment, breaking out of the cycle of poverty and exploitation. Mothers are realizing their self-worth, learning new skills, starting businesses, and building new futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Most recently, we have celebrated several aftercare residents graduating high school and enrolling in college. They are pursuing their dreams of becoming lawyers, doctors, teachers, accountants, and pastors. We are continually inspired by the courage, capacity, and resilience of the survivors in our care!
Q: How can we help? Could you share with us some of the tangible ways we can support the work of Compassion First in fighting human trafficking?
A: We love to partner with people, and we believe that this work calls for each person who believes she is worth advocating for to give what they can towards the healing and restoration of survivors. Run a race. Donate your birthday, wedding or anniversary. Climb a mountain. There is an infinite number of ways you can support Compassion First. Go to our Volunteer page to learn more.
Additionally, you could become a prayer advocate, donate your time or finances, and share with others about Compassion First on social media and with your community.
We are amazed by the generosity and creativity of each individual who supports us. Compassion First would not exist without you.
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For more information on Compassion First, please visit their:
Website: CompassionFirst.org
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