Rehabilitation and Vocational Skills Training Centers (RVSTC) PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 23 April 2009 03:12
AFESIP Cambodia centers rehabilitate victims of trafficking, rape, and domestic violence and protect vulnerable children at adapted centers. Through a “victim-centered approach,” AFESIP Cambodia is able to prepare the residents for reintegration so that they may rebuild their new lives in the Khmer society. Our objectives of the establishment of the centers are:
  1. To promote easy access to AFESIP centers for victims of sex slavery through a referral system.
  2. To offer protected environments for victims.
  3. To provide protection, security, food, clothes, hygienic items, and accommodations in all centers.
  4. To provide health care through the AFESIP medical structure assessment and to refer patients needing specialized care to clinics and hospitals.
  5. To conduct psychological care and counseling to all residents.
  6. To provide formal and informal education along with art therapy classes.
  7. To conduct vocational training (sewing, hairdressing, new alternatives).
  8. To provide life skills training (rights, civics, health).

Victims of trafficking often endure brutal conditions that result in physical, sexual, and psychological trauma. Sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS and pelvic inflammatory disease are also common among prostituted women and girls. The main psychological symptoms are edginess, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, low mood, low self-esteem, sadness, and suicidal intent. The psychologists at the shelter provide residents with anger management, group psycho-counseling, and individual counseling. Those who have serious trauma are referred to external specialized facilities at the National Program of Mental Health’s Clinic of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CCAMH) and the Trans-cultural Psychological Organization (TPO).

Restoration of self-esteem and repair to damages in personal development is fundamental in the rehabilitation and reintegration process.  AFESIP’s psychological team provides ongoing support to all residents in its centres across the country beginning with an initial psychological assessment on arrival. Psychologists visit AFESIP centres on a regular basis offering essential services which aid residents through the challenging process of recovery and reintegration.

AFESIP Cambodia has built three centers to accommodate and rehabilitate victims of trafficking, sexual exploitation, rape, and domestic violence and protect other vulnerable children in Cambodia. They include Tom Dy Center, Kompong Cham Center, and Siem Reap Center.