Local police partner with NGOs to rescue and transport minor girls (those under the age of 18) to a government holding facility for processing. After being processed, a girl will either be placed in a government-approved after-care facility (like NHH), repatriated to her family of origin (if deemed to be safe) or, in some cases, simply released back on to the streets.
The Indian Child Welfare Committee (CWC) assigns legal guardianship of girls aged 12-18 to NHH and transfers them to the residential after-care facility located on our main campus in the village of Podu. Phase 1 construction was completed in May 2018 and includes a 3 story dormitory, a kitchen-administration building and a guard house. The existing dormitory can house up to 48 girls and includes 8 bedrooms with adjoining bathrooms, apartments for 2 live-in house mothers, a central stairwell, a TV room, sick bay and laundry room. The kitchen-admin building includes a dining hall, food preparation area, administrative offices, conference rooms and central reception area.
Upon arrival at our main campus, each girl undergoes a formal intake process which includes:
An individual treatment program is subsequently developed for each girl in consultation with the house mothers, nursing staff and counselors. A treatment program will typically include the following elements:
Once a girl turns 18 the CWC mandates that they move out of the dormitory located on our main campus. Girls who are interested in pursuing a college degree, additional vocational training and/or participating in a formal internship program may have the option of moving into New Horizons’ Transition House (TH) for up to 3 years. The TH, opened in 2021, is located in the City of Bhimavaram, approximately 40 minutes from our main campus in Podu. The TH has less direct supervision and structure than the after-care facility they came from but provides a safe living environment where the girls take on more responsibility for their own care and have greater interaction with the local community. A House Mother resides with the girls in the TH and therapy and/or medical care continues to be provided as needed.
Eventually, NHH plans to establish a Group Living Home (GLH). In Indian society it is often difficult for girls recovering from sexual abuse to integrate into society or find suitable living accommodations. The Group Living Home will have minimal supervision and allow the girls to have their own place and a small community for mutual support.
New Horizons’ mission is to provide holistic restoration to survivors of sex trafficking and abuse and empower them to re-enter mainstream society with dignity and hope.
New Horizons House (NHH) established its’ initial residential facility in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and is providing comprehensive restorative and rehabilitative services which include trauma counseling, medical care, education and vocational training. We continue to look for opportunities to expand our reach through a combination of organic growth and strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations that share our values.
India currently ranks among the leader nations in human trafficking: it is estimated that up to 200,000 persons are trafficked in India annually. According to the Times of India (3/15/18), 26% of all sex workers in India are sourced from Andhra Pradesh. NHH has the local resources and experience necessary to successfully administer the home and implement the program.
NHH defines success as the establishment of a girl’s “normalized” re-entry into society and sufficient mental health to manage independent living with gainful employment and/or marriage.