Our PEGASE program is actively pursuing its prevention and support initiatives to combat child trafficking and exploitation in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Here's a look back at what we've been up to in recent weeks.
Evaluation of the 1st phase between 2022 and 2024
The evaluation of the 1st phase - the ACT component - recently carried out by a team of external consultants highlighted numerous benefits of the project. According to the evaluation results, the project has made a significant contribution to identifying child victims, improving appropriate follow-up, raising awareness of the phenomenon of human exploitation and trafficking, and strengthening service providers and local authorities.
By the end of 2024, 187 children (out of the 260 child victims identified) had benefited from services such as accommodation, legal aid, psychosocial support, guidance and/or vocational training at the CTSE social center and charity schools in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as at the social center and families in Phan Tiet in the North.
" A neighbor told me about her traumatic experience. Three years ago, she was sold into marriage in China. She managed to escape and return to Vietnam, but is now suffering from psychological problems and looking for a job. At the time, I didn't know how to help her. After taking the training course, I intend to put her in touch with the CTSE so that she can benefit from help. ", said a local officer from the Thu Duc district sub-district.
" Even if family support only lasts six months, parents understand better
the risks associated with early entry into the world of work... Children continue to work to support their families, but they often no longer need to drop out of school... For example, when children study in the morning, they can work in the afternoon or do not need to work in the evening or at night... "explains a CSWC social worker in Ho Chi Minh City.
Prevention and support activities in recent weeks
On the operational front, social workers from our partner CSWC are currently providing home-based support to 35 families in great difficulty, helping them to find solutions to their financial problems and prevent their children from being exploited.
Two awareness-raising sessions were also held for vulnerable families and child victims of exploitation and trafficking. In mid-June, we organized with CSWC a film-debate session with parents receiving social follow-up, to alert them to the risk situations that generally lead to child trafficking and violence. We also informed the 29 children at the Phô Câp Tam Hà charity school about the definition of child exploitation, labor legislation and the techniques commonly used by traffickers to lure them.
We are also continuing our work to identify children at risk or victims of trafficking. A survey of a new group of children has enabled us to assess their level of vulnerability, with a view to including some of them in our program.
Finally, a seminar organized on May 23 brought together political representatives to strengthen local commitment to child protection in Ho Chi Minh City.
PEGASE continues to strengthen its actions, between prevention, support for children and families and close collaboration with local players.
