Frequently Asked Questions

There are an estimated 40 million people trapped in various forms of slavery throughout the world today (including forced labor slavery, debt bondage, forced marriage and/or sex slavery).  Collectively, these activities generate $150 billion each year in illicit profits for traffickers.  Consider the following statistics:

• 5% of slavery victims today are in sex slavery
• 71% of slavery victims today are women and girls
• 25% of slaves today are children under the age of 18

(Source:  https://www.alliance87.org/global_estimates_of_modern_slavery-forced_labour_and_forced_marriage.pdf)

• Need – CNN reports that India is the epicenter of human trafficking and is the most dangerous country in the world to be a woman because of the high risk of sexual violence and slave labor. It is also one of the most dangerous countries in the world for cultural traditions that impact women including acid attacks, female genital mutilation, child marriage and physical abuse (6/26/18).

Traffickers exploit millions of people in commercial sex in India. In addition to traditional red light districts, dance bars, spas, and massage parlors, traffickers increasingly exploit women and children in sex trafficking in small hotels, vehicles, huts, and private residences. In addition, the recruitment of women and children for commercial sex increasingly take place through social media platforms, including mobile dating applications and websites.

(Source:  https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-trafficking-in-persons-report/india/)

The Times of India reported that 400,000 people had been trafficked from the Indian State of Andhra Pradesh alone including 1,200 children in 4 red-light districts (3/15/18). 

• Relationship – New Horizons’ Board has had a long-term working relationship with many of our in-country staff including our Field Administrators.  Over the past decades, they have successfully built and administered a comprehensive ministry incorporating many of the same key components included in New Horizons’ aftercare program.
• Impact – An aftercare facility previously operating in Colorado had an annual budget of $720,000 in 2014 and was providing services to 8 girls. That equates to an average cost of $90,000 / girl / year.  In contrast, the annual cost to provide medical care, trauma counseling, education and vocational training in India is approximately $4,000 / girl / year.

• At our main campus, New Horizons’ existing dormitory can house 60 girls aged 12-18. At final build-out, the site will include a second dormitory building which will accommodate an additional 60 girls.
• New Horizons’ Transition House can currently serve up to 20 additional girls aged 18-21.
• At build-out, New Horizons’ program will be one of the largest of its kind in India. The number of girls we can effectively provide services to is based on the following constraints:
  • Maintaining a staff / resident ratio which allows for personalized care
  • Financial limitations
  • Ensuring the program is manageable in accordance with requirements established by the Indian Child Welfare Committee (CWC)

• We can’t do everything, but we can do something. Mother Teresa once said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” At New Horizons, we believe that each girl is worthy of restoration and of our best efforts to give her a life of opportunity and promise.
• New Horizons also devotes resources to educate local villages about the risks of sex trafficking and how girls can prevent becoming a victim.  In 2022 our Field Administrator received the World Women Icon Award and was recognized for Outstanding Contribution in Child Development for her community work in the State of Andhra Pradesh.

• New Horizons House was founded in 2013 and is a registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the IRS.
• In 2016 New Horizons entered into a Joint Venture Master Agreement with Helping Hands Social Action Society (a registered Indian “non-profit”) to operate the aftercare facility and implement the various program elements (i.e. medical care, trauma counseling, education and vocational training).

• New Horizons House is a Christian, faith-based organization. That said, we do not discriminate against those who may not share our views.  We often collaborate with organizations comprised of Christians, Hindus, Muslims, secular governmental agencies and other NGOs who share a common vision for the restoration of survivors of human trafficking and sexual abuse.
• Research has shown that the most effective aftercare programs have a spiritual component. Daily devotional times are part of our program but no girl is ever forced to participate against her will.
• New Horizons does not discriminate based on a girl’s religious beliefs. If a Hindu or Muslim girl wants to practice her spiritual beliefs she is permitted to do so without prejudice and the staff will make reasonable accommodation to permit this.

• Members of New Horizons’ board initially conducted extensive research into aftercare programs around the world and conducted site visits, interviews with experts, observation / participation in field rescue operations, and served in various capacities on other similar non-profits. Additionally, a variety of organizations who are involved in rescues and/or aftercare have reviewed our plans, visited our facility and affirmed that they are in-line with current best practices.
• New Horizons’ in-country Administrators have more than 25 years of experience working with children from disadvantaged and/or abusive backgrounds in southern India.  In addition, trained professionals help administer key parts of the aftercare program.

New Horizons’ staff receive periodic training / mentoring from key individuals with international expertise in the specific program areas in which they function.

• While Americans may occasionally be employed or used in a volunteer capacity, the emphasis will be on using Indian nationals for in-country operations, program implementation, etc.
• Representatives of New Horizons make annual visits to evaluate the program, the welfare of the girls and to plan for future expansion.  In addition, regular reporting takes place via e-mail and weekly What’s-App / Skype calls.

• New Horizons is committed to fiscal transparency.  We have received the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Guidestar^® and a Transparency Seal from Excellence in Giving^®, a full-service philanthropic advisory firm.
• Financial audits are conducted annually by certified Indian accountants.  Copies of these audit reports are subsequently made available to the New Horizons’ Board for review. 
• Copies of New Horizons’ 990 Forms are submitted annually to the IRS and are available to interested parties upon written request.
• New Horizons’ operations comply with the requirements of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and applicable regulations pertaining to U.S. not-for-profit entities.

Our in-country staff works directly with the Indian Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and other governmental agencies involved in rescue / transfer / justice issues for girls.

• Teachers / vocational instructors / house mothers are typically recruited from the surrounding community and/or may be shared with other NGOs on an as-needed basis.
• We primarily recruit qualified mental health workers from certified Indian universities but, in some instances, we may temporarily utilize American counselors as well.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse problems, eating disorders and severe mental illness. Numerous research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. New Horizons employs CBT in both individual and group sessions under the supervision of licensed counselors and social workers.
• Various other types of recreational therapies are also commonly employed including dance, art, music, gardening, etc.
• Anti-depressant / anxiety and STD medications may occasionally be needed and are administered and monitored solely by licensed medical doctors and/or psychiatrists.

Typically, there are 4-5 girls / room, but this number could vary slightly. This arrangement has been shown to prevent self-abuse and/or abuse by other girls.

• Meditation / Exercise / Chores
• Breakfast
• Devotional / quiet time
• Educational and/or vocational training classes
• Lunch

• Therapy / Educational and/or vocational training classes

• Recreational time
• Dinner
• Study hour / Quiet-time
• Devotional
• Lights out
• Field trips and other special activities

It depends.  In some cases, their family of origin may have been the ones who initially sold them into trafficking due to debt bondage or for financial gain and it would not be safe for them to maintain contact.  New Horizons works with the Indian Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to determine the most appropriate course of action for each girl.

• All visitors are vetted prior to entry and unaccompanied males are not allowed to be with the girls at any time.
• All staff positions are filled by vetted females.  Exceptions are made for guards, maintenance staff and drivers, who are not permitted to be alone with the girls.
• The facility is walled and gated and decorative “bars” are installed on all windows.
• Security guard(s) are present 24 / 7 / 365 at the facility.
• Internal and external security cameras are used to monitor common areas.
• Girls are not permitted to leave the facility unless accompanied by a person in authority.
• Girls are not permitted outside contact with family or friends without permission / monitoring.

• New Horizons’ program is specifically designed for girls aged 12-18 who do not have children and who are not pregnant.   Generally, we do not admit girls over the age of 16 so that we have sufficient time with them to accomplish the program objectives. That said, each case is evaluated individually and there may be times when 17 or 18 year old girls are admitted.
• The length of time each girl remains with us varies based on the history and needs of the girl.  Most girls remain at New Horizons until they turn 18 or, in some cases, until they can be safely returned to their family of origin. 
• Girls who are interested in pursuing a college degree, participating in a formal internship program and/or pursuing additional vocational training to start their own small businesses may have the option of moving into New Horizons’ Transition House (TH) for up to 3 years after they turn 18.  The TH, opened in 2021, is located approximately 40 minutes from our main campus.  The girls in the TH have greater freedom to come and go and are encouraged to put into practice the life skills they previously learned while in the aftercare program. 

Our first girl graduated from New Horizons’ in 2019 and subsequently joined the local police academy with the goal of helping other girls. Since that time, some of our other girls have gone on to get married, find gainful employment, attend university and/or start their own small businesses.

• New Horizons defines success as the establishment of a girl’s “normalized” re-entry into society with sufficient mental health to manage independent living through gainful employment and/or marriage.
• We make every effort to maintain contact with and track a girl’s progress after she graduates from New Horizons’ program. However, due to privacy considerations and logistical issues, this is not always possible.

All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.  Donations of $250 or more will receive a receipt.  Donations less than $250 will receive a receipt upon request.

We are always in need of financial support to operate our residential aftercare facility and to provide medical care, trauma counseling, education and vocational training to the girls in our care. Donations can be made directly through our website by clicking HERE.