To mark the ninth anniversary of its foundation, Caritas Bakhita House in London has released a report investigating the impact of the centre and its services on the lives of former guests, who have been victims of modern-day slavery.
Karen Anstiss, Head of Caritas Bakhita House, told The Tablet this week: “Our report shows the importance of the work we do to restore the dignity and hope of every woman. It is vital we all do what we can in the fight against trafficking; no one person can succeed on their own. But above all it is the bravery of the women we should honour.”
Since its opening on 30 June 2015, Caritas Bakhita House has been a place of healing. It has provided accommodation to 195 women and 16 babies from almost 50 different countries and offered holistic support to survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery. The safe house and support service is owned by the Diocese of Westminster and managed by Caritas Westminster. The Impact Report, based on interviews with 16 women who stayed at the house between 2015 and 2022, highlights the centre’s crucial role in providing a safe space in which to begin the process of recovery, as well as equipping guests with the skills and resources required to find work and live independently.
Caritas Bakhita House benefits from a flexible approach to length of stay and an open-door policy for former guests, enabling the team to offer personalised support to the most vulnerable women in society that is both practical and compassionate. Staff and volunteers are committed to fostering a safe environment with a strong sense of community, with guests dining together on a daily basis and participating in activities ranging from English and cooking lessons to Music and Drama Therapy.
Alongside multifaceted therapeutic support, Caritas Bakhita House also assists guests with moving on to safe long- and short-term accommodation, legal advice for remaining in the UK, and collaborating with the police to report the crimes committed against them. By 2022, Caritas Bakhita House had helped to secure over 147 years’ worth of prison sentences for people trafficking and exploiting women.
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