Keeping ‘Edward’ Safe

Rescue is not an event, it’s a process.

Hope for Justice rescued Edward in 2012. After his government-funded safe house accommodation period finished Edward moved in to second stage accommodation. The Hope for Justice team kept in contact with regular phone calls and visits. As the New Year rolled around the full consequences of his trafficking experience reached out from his past and suddenly he found himself just one week away from being destitute and on the streets. How it happened
Edward had his welfare entitlements stopped by mistake and found he was fast racking up debts and soon to be made homeless. The traffickers had used his identity and put debts in his name.

When Edward was visited by our team he was anxious and withdrawn, still recovering from his trafficking experience, this near-certain eviction was adding to his worries. Our team were also concerned that his vulnerability and impending homelessness could leave him prey to re-trafficking.

Our team worked with the second phase aftercare provider, advocating for fraudulent debts to be written off, sourcing legal advice to ensure Edward’s entitlements were reinstated and ensuring he had legal representation to halt the eviction proceedings. The speedy resolution of these daunting issues restored Edward’s dignity and kept him safe. Now that these issues have been resolved he’s looking forward to studying English so that he can safely get a job free from exploitation. Our team go the extra mile
By staying in touch and going the extra mile, Hope for Justice advocate for and assist victims in a way that helps them not only get back on track but stay on track and move towards recovery. That can be the difference between life and death for a victim who is still traumatised, without English language or funds.

“THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU’VE DONE FOR ME” – Edward