The Problem
Human trafficking is a global problem, affecting 5.5 million children worldwide. In the Philippines, it is estimated that there are as many as 100,000 children currently being trafficked. These children experience betrayal, violence, sexual abuse, and the loss of hope.
OSEC
The online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) is a pervasive worldwide epidemic. Anyone with a cell phone and an internet connection has the technology to send explicit images anywhere in the world.
In the Philippines, OSEC is rampant. In numerous cases, parents or other close relatives are the perpetrators. The youngest child that has been rescued was less than 1 months old.
If convicted, perpetrators may receive a life prison sentence. Before Hope Mountain Center, there were no facilities in Cebu that accept both brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters were sent to separate facilities.
Our Solution
Hope Mountain Center provides comprehensive aftercare services to children rescued from sexual abuse and exploitation. These services are focused on restoring the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of rescued children. At Hope Mountain Center, children are surrounded by an atmosphere of unconditional love, care, and compassion.
Children living at Hope Mountain Center receive counseling, medical care, social services, education, life-skills training, and Biblical Discipleship. There are several characteristics that make Hope Mountain Center unique from other aftercare facilities.
Home-Style Facility. Hope Mountain Center is a home-style facility. The resident house parents living full-time at Hope Mountain are a Christian Filipino married couple. The children live in a setting where they can experience growing up in a healthy Filipino home; they have a positive male and female role model pouring into their lives every day.
Siblings Groups. Hope Mountain Center accepts both brothers and sisters rescued from sexual abuse and exploitation. When siblings are not forced to live in separate facilities, there is less trauma.