In 2023, Eleison made significant strides in supporting survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence in experiencing greater safety, resilience, and healing. Our progress was made possible through the collective efforts of our staff, Survivor Leadership Council (SLC), advisors, community members, and partners, all working together to achieve our shared goals. As we reflect on the past year, we proudly announce the publication of our 2023 Annual Report, highlighting our success in implementing our four integrated strategies: survivor services, research, capacity building, and survivor leadership development and advocacy.
Throughout the year, our team delivered various interventions tailored to the unique needs of 727 survivors and community members. These interventions included mental health education, crisis intervention, counseling and case management, trauma-informed yoga, survivor leadership development, economic empowerment services, and capacity building of anti-trafficking service providers. However, our commitment to addressing these pressing issues didn’t stop there. We expanded our mental health and crisis response services to address the alarming rates of online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) and commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), broadening our services for children and youth survivors of trafficking and abuse.
Another highlight of the year is the completion of our evaluation of the Healing and Resilience after Trauma (HaRT) program, a group mental health intervention implemented with human trafficking survivors. Our initial findings show promising trends related to survivors’ mental health and well-being, with survivors demonstrating statistically significant reductions in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) over time. Research participants reported feelings of physical relaxation, social acceptance, and emotional support.
Furthermore, we expanded our capacity-building programs for anti-trafficking providers globally, reaching organizations in seven countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Philippines, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda, where we conducted a training of trainers (ToT) program on suicide prevention and intervention.
We appreciate your active participation and unwavering support in helping us bring about a new season of growth to our mission of combating human trafficking and gender-based violence. As we broaden our impact in 2024, we remain committed to strengthening our global presence, prioritizing survivors’ voices, and ensuring that survivor leadership, research evidence, and community partnerships are at the core of our work. Thank you for standing with us as we strive to create a safer and more just world for all.
See our 2023 Annual Report to learn more about our progress.
