Enforcement of human rights policies and legislation is critical to eradicating human trafficking, sexual violence, and other crimes. Prosecution of criminals is vital, not only to achieve justice on behalf of the survivors, but also for governments to publicly condemn criminal acts and deter these violent acts against children and women. Dream On collaborates with, and provides support services for, government agencies and NGOs that conduct investigations and ensure that justice is served. We partner with the Department of Social Services, Criminal Investigation Department, Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, the Domestic Violence & Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), among others.
WITNESS PROTECTION
In some of the countries where Dream On works, there are no witness protection programs organized by government agencies. Many of the women and children who have been victimized cannot return to their communities due to ongoing legal cases and safety concerns. Dream On assists in relocating witnesses and providing housing and security for victims of gender-based violence and human trafficking. Without witness protection, alleged perpetrators often use intimidation tactics such as harassment, family pressure, death threats, and attempted murder in an effort to coerce victims to drop legal cases against them. Dream On provides holistic care and security so that victims may continue on with a normal life while legal cases proceed. Without witness protection provided by Dream On, the majority of legal cases would not make it to trial, victims would never receive justice, and the abuse would continue.
EXAMPLES OF CASES THAT HAVE REQUIRED WITNESS PROTECTION and rehabilitative care
Defilement Case in Volta Region
A case of defilement was reported to the Department of Social Welfare. For years, a group of young men in the Volta region targeted and gang raped young girls while they walked to school. Although there were reports of these issues, this situation continued because the men belonged to wealthier families and had support from the chief. Dream On became involved, relocated one of the victims into witness protection while another NGO worked with DSW to ensure that the perpetrators were arrested and prosecuted. At the conclusion of the case, the judge traveled to the community and educated the villagers on the issue of sexual violence. After the victory in court, the survivor was reunited with her grandmother and reintegrated into the community.
Incest Case
This case involved a man who committed sexual acts on his daughter for more than ten years, which resulted in the birth of four children. The perpetrator was arrested, tried, and convicted. The mother lacked an education or employable skills and with her father in jail there was no longer any income to support the children. Dream On assisted the mother in setting up a business and also enrolled one of her sons into a special school for disabled children. Dream On continues to provide educational sponsorship for the disabled child while the mother provides for her other children.
Child Labor, Sexual Violence, and Physical & Emotional Abuse at Orphanages
Several children were rescued from two different orphanages where multiple human rights violations have been reported. A large number of sources reported numerous incidences of rape of minors by the orphanage directors as well as rape by the older children residing in the orphanages; severe neglect; physical beatings; confinement to a room and starvation for days as punishment for breaking rules; forced labor that consisted of walking miles to a river to collect water, mixing cement, and carrying bricks to construct buildings; constant emotional terror: and financial fraud and manipulation of foreigners who donated funds toward the care of the children. This case is ongoing. The children who were rescued from these orphanages continue to be in the care of Dream On International and receive holistic care both in the residential home and in boarding schools throughout Ghana.
Photo credit: Felix Lipov