Education

We launched our association in January 2011 with little knowledge but rather a huge passion for helping those affected by human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Just one year later, we were being invited to hold seminars on the subject of human trafficking and forced prostitution. Our understanding was basic; however, every woman who came into our care increased our knowledge of the human trafficking system.

Education is the first component of our association as it is important for us to sensitise the entire population on this topic and find other activists in this fight. We initially began with small groups and short presentations. The groups grew year by year and churches, communities, the police, schools and even universities invited us to speak.

Some years we held up to 115 seminars each year and received up to 8,000 people in one seminar. Our work was gaining recognition and we were bombarded with requests for additional seminars. This was followed up with training for staff and street workers and additional creations began to arise throughout Germany. Meanwhile, more shelters and accommodation for escapees have been built as a result of these seminars. Our chairwoman, Gaby Wentland, is primarily responsible for seminars and is supported by other members of our team as regards training for groups or school classes.

Each year, we participate in the “Walk for Freedom”. This is a global silent protest to raise awareness of the state of emergency and oppression of people in forced prostitution. The march was founded by the organisation A21 and is organised and orchestrated by local groups.