Joanne Hand
People Trafficking in the 21st Century
Joanne was introduced by Iain Valentine. Joanne has a Masters Degree in Non-Profit Management from the University of Central Florida. She has worked in Community Development in Turkey for over 20 years and since 2010 has worked in NZ for Shine, Middlemore Foundation and Counties Manukau Health.
The Hebrew name Hagar means "one who flees" or "one who seeks refuge". Joanne is now the North Island Manager of HAGAR NZ. This is an international organization dedicated to the recovery of women and children who have endured extreme abuse. They work to see communities free and healed from the trauma of human slavery, trafficking and abuse.
Severe human rights abuse due to human trafficking, sexual exploitation and gender based violence is a gritty issue to tackle but our world will not be free of it, if we do nothing and say nothing.
HAGAR's vision is for communities be be free and healed from the trauma of slavery, trafficking and abuse. When healing happens, the cycle of trauma stops.
Modern slavery generates $150 million.
71% are female and 25% are children.
New Zealand is a support base for the programme in Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore and Afghanistan.
The steps from Trauma to Recovery are:
Shelter
Medical
Legal
Social, spiritual and physical state of mind
Mediation
Career training
Job Placement
The motto of HAGAR is to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes. Since 1994, their donors have helped to transform the lives of more than 17,000 clients who have been re-integrated into their communities.
Referral's are made to HAGAR from the Police, NGO's and World Vision. In NZ, HAGAR also helps to fund research.
Joanne was thanked by Karen for her very informative presentation.