PURPOSE
The Hope Education Project is a web-based program to raise awareness and educate against sex trafficking, delivered in person. Our mission is to deter the flow of vulnerable girls and women trafficked for sexual exploitation, both internationally and within Ghana.

COMMITTED POLICY IN GHANA
“…the government will commit to implementing a coordinated campaign strategy to deepen the awareness and understanding of trafficking, in schools, communities and in families perceived to be at risk”
National Plan of Action for the Elimination of Human Trafficking in Ghana 2017-2021

An estimated 40.3 million victims are trapped in modern-day slavery, 4.8 million of which are estimated to be in forced sexual exploitation. For every 10 victims of human trafficking detected globally, roughly five were adult women and two were girls.
Victims of sex trafficking are recruited through organised criminal groups, online activities, intimate partners and relatives, recruiting agents, legal businesses and ordinary people. Victims are targeted due to personal risk factors such as a difficult upbringing, lack of education and/or economic opportunity.
As a result, perceived rich earnings, security, status, glamour, travel and demand are used to entice victims because they face a reality of lack of income opportunity, education and familial support.
The use of digital platforms to recruit vulnerable people is increasing. Dating sites, usually free to females, and social media expose potential victims to exploitation and coercion. While, encrypted messaging apps make it virtually impossible to monitor, let alone legislate, against recruitment and coercion.
The Hope Education Project in Ghana was borne out of our experience repatriating Nigerian women who are the victims of sex trafficking in the UAE. Our close involvement with rescuing, repatriating and supporting these victims motivated us to work on preventing this tragedy at the source. You can read more about the story of the Send Them Home campaign here.
Send Them Home in the news
BBC News
BBC Victoria Derbyshire
Arise News Nigeria