Caritas Bakhita House will become an essential part of the initiative. It will be a ‘triage’ centre for the emergency placement of women escaping human trafficking and its function will be to support the beginnings of the restorative process.
Owned by the Archdiocese of Westminster and managed by Caritas Westminster, Bakhita House will become an essential part of the Bakhita Initiative.
It will be a ‘triage’ centre for the emergency placement of women escaping human trafficking and its function will be to support the beginnings of the restorative process.
The local Catholic Parish is already committed to supporting its work. This facility will provide assistance to the most vulnerable and traumatised individuals who have experienced human trafficking, particularly those who fall outside the existing structures of support.
It will have a pan-London role and will also be a national resource, since it will take victim referrals from anywhere in the UK on the basis of need.
Caritas Bakhita House will provide accommodation for up to fourteen women guests over the age of seventeen.
It will provide care and rehabilitation for guests and for others who have been trafficked but are not resident at Bakhita House through:
Emergency support
Psychosexual therapy
Legal and financial assistance
Mentoring and help with accessing accommodation
Education and employment will increasingly be provided by St Mary’s University through foundation/degree courses and employment within the university.
Caritas Bakhita House will have the following values and principles of action:
Love – Expressed in compassionate support and long term commitment
Respect – for the gift and dignity of each individual
Community – a welcome which creates friendship and belonging
Spirituality – nurtured by that Joy in creative activity which lifts the spirit
There will be a strong team approach to the development and management of the services provided at Caritas Bakhita House.
Caritas Bakhita House staff will aim to:
Establish a strong ethos of restoration and care Establish initial trust and rapport with guests Accompany guests to interviews and meetings as required
Provide mentoring and support to volunteers
Facilitate health, legal and social support for guests and other clients
Work closely with other team members, sharing knowledge and expertise Work closely with the resettlement support worker to support guests and other clients through their restorative journey Assist with life planning for guests and clients
The establishment and future development of services provided by the House Team will emerge as the project takes shape over the coming 12 months.
Caritas Bakhita House shall follow all the Safeguarding guidelines and policies of the Archdiocese of Westminster.
There are four main elements to the Bakhita Initiative:
Bakhita Institute into Human Slavery
Caritas Bakhita House
