Anti-Trafficking and advocacy
In all we do, we look to be an advocate on behalf of those we work with. Too often it is social injustice and exploitation by others that keeps people from reaching their full, God-given potential.
The trafficking of women and children is a major global problem. It affects every continent and many countries in the world - as these act as either a source, transit or destination country.
Because of the diversity of the problem worldwide Oasis believes it is important that room is allowed for individual countries to develop their own responses to this problem.
At the same time, Oasis is also involved in campaigns that are international in their scope and reach.
‘Stop The Traffik’ is a global coalition against human trafficking launched by Oasis. It is estimated that at least two million children, women and men are trafficked into prostitution, forced labour and begging each year. Stop The Traffik raises awareness, educates, advocates, raises money and inspires new projects globally to help to change the situation.
‘Business Travellers against Human Trafficking’ is an Oasis campaign that aims to help people who travel on business to become advocates against human trafficking by raising awareness through a web site and running training courses. Business Travellers against Human Trafficking also enables people to safely report what they have seen regarding human trafficking and equips them to campaign for hotels to adopt codes of practice which prohibit the exploitation of women and children on their premises. Business Travellers against Human Trafficking has received much support from the EU, including an official recommendation from the European Parliament as well as the approval of the US State Department.
Hema's Story
12-year-old
Hema is one of 5 children from a remote village in North Karnataka,
India. Hema had never been to school as she was responsible for
housework and caring for her younger siblings. Her parents were both
agricultural labourers and money was hard to come by as a drought had
destroyed their crop. Food was scarce and survival was a big question
until a kind gentleman from the city visited with the promise of
well-paid jobs.
Hema was one of 6 girls bundled away to
Bangalore to work. Her parents were paid a small sum of money as
immediate compensation with the promise of more to come. On reaching
Bangalore there was no job for Hema and like many girls before her,
Hema was forced into the sex trade.
Oasis partners with the
Bangalore Police Department to trace missing children like Hema, and
seeks to prevent more girls having to face the trauma that she faced.