My Refuge House
My Refuge House (MRH) began in 2008 when one small church in Southern California resolved to do something to help meet the overwhelming and unmet needs of survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and abuse.
MRH focused on Cebu, Philippines, a global hub for business and tourism. There was a high level of exploitation happening in the area and a near absence of anywhere for survivors of exploitation to receive help.
In 2014, almost two-thirds (65.8%) of the estimated 35.8 million people affected by human trafficking were in the Asia Pacific region. Forced labor and sex trafficking of men, women, and children within the Philippines remains a significant problem, with cyber-trafficking continuing to increase. Women and children from rural communities, areas affected by disaster or conflict, and impoverished urban centers are subjected to domestic servitude, forced begging, forced labor in small factories, and sex trafficking.
Hundreds of victims are subjected to exploitation in well-known and highly visible business establishments that cater to tourist demand. The sexual exploitation of children remains a serious problem and also occurs in private residences, facilitated online or by taxi drivers who have knowledge of clandestine locations. While the Philippines is an lower-middle-income economy, the exploitation of children (both in-person and online) is largely fueled by demand from high-income economies, including citizens from the United States, Canada, Korea, and New Zealand.
In the Philippines, traffickers seek out and exploit children and families impacted by poverty. Very young Filipino children are coerced to create child sex abuse material (CSAM) for Internet broadcast to paying foreign viewers. Unfortunately, the online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) is on the rise. This means that girls become targets for sexual abuse via a webcam from anywhere in the world. When they are removed from these situations, they need places like MRH to help restore their hope, health, and worth.
Over the years, MRH has evolved with interventions and impact to meet the evolving dynamics of human trafficking and exploitation. Churches, organizations, and people (secular and non-secular alike) have continued uniting to support and encourage the mission of MRH: Restoring One Life At A Time.
A Safe Place
My Refuge House (MRH) is committed to confronting the stark realities of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. As a registered, licensed, and accredited non-profit organization in the Philippines and the United States, MRH is dedicated to providing comprehensive support and therapeutic care beginning at school age. Supports reach far beyond the basic needs to meet medical, social, educational, and vocational needs. The goal is complete and full restoration and freedom for each girl who comes through our house.
The mission of MRH is centered around four pillars of impact: Prevention, Restoration, Reintegration, and Inspiration—all aimed at ensuring the complete restoration and freedom of every girl who comes through our doors. Our intervention and impact framework is built upon four pillars that reflect our faithful commitment to a journey of hope, healing, and restoration.
Prevention
We believe that poverty should never be a hindrance to protect the life of a child. Our girls and their stories continue to inspire our efforts to educate individuals, families and communities about the danger and risks of abuse and exploitation of children. Our work to educate more people about these turned more difficult when CoViD-19 crisis started. Quarantine increased the time people spend online and led to the isolation of family units in their respective homes. Both of these factors appear to have contributed to the rise in cases of abuse and online sexual exploitation.
iSpeak: Break the Silence. Stop the Violence. Is our campaign that stands at the forefront of our prevention initiatives, empowering communities with knowledge and skills to address mental health issues and combat human trafficking and other violence-related situations. Through interactive workshop and educational campaigns, we equip individuals, organizations and communities to recognize and respond to signs of exploitation, creating a safer and more resilient society.
Restoration
Within the nurturing environment of our long-term residential aftercare program, survivors embark on a transformative journey of healing. Our healing-centered and trauma-responsive approach ensures that each resident receives personalized support to address their past traumas and build a brighter future. Our participants experience the profound impact of our restoration programs, with many expressing gratitude for the safe haven and community they've found at MRH, along with the quality education they’ve received
Our transitional aftercare program is a crucial stepping stone for survivors as they navigate the path to independence. By offering tailored pathways through college, vocational training, and work programs, we equip survivors to chart their course towards a sustainable future. Through personalized support and access to essential resources, we nurture the skills and confidence needed to achieve independence and self-sufficiency.
Reintegration
From the moment a girl comes to My Refuge House, we have an eye toward what kind of life they would like to build beyond our walls. Central to our reintegration efforts is the Family ASSET (Assist, Strengthen, Support, Educate, and Train)
Program, which provides comprehensive support to survivors and their families. Through sibling scholarships and livelihood development initiatives, we encourage the value of education and strengthen family bonds to create pathways of sustainable independence. Collaborating with local partners, we ensure that each survivor's reintegration journey is tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. We're breaking the cycle of poverty and exploitation and empowering survivors to build a better future for themselves and their families.
Inspiration
Our hope is to inspire mutual transformation, where both supporters and survivors are changed through our interactions and shared experiences. Through the powerful narratives of our girls and the tangible impact of our programs, we strive to inspire supporters to become integral parts of our journey. Together, we cultivate a community of advocates and change-makers dedicated to building a world where every individual is free from exploitation and abuse, and can live with dignity and hope.
Our efforts extend beyond secular and faith-based initiatives, aiming to bridge the gap between anti-trafficking efforts globally. Through individual conversations, group discussions, collaborative meetings, and a variety of events, we recognize the broader context of exploitation, emphasizing the need for collective action.
More information at myrefugehouse.org.
