SISHA International is a human rights organisation that strives to ensure justice and the protection of human rights for victims of abuse around the World.
This means SISHA International fights for the poor and vulnerable who have been abused, and ensures that offenders are held accountable for their crimes.
SISHA International’s Casework
SISHA International’s casework teams are made up of investigators, social workers, aftercare specialists and lawyers who respond to cases of exploitation, and assist victims of abuse. In partnership with government & judicial authorities SISHA International ensures that victims of abuse are able to have their voices heard without intimidation or fear.
The overarching goal of SISHA International’s casework is to strengthen and reinforce local criminal justice systems to provide a credible deterrent to the exploitation and abuse of men, women and children.
1. Initial Response
SISHA International’s investigators are the first responders to a person who reports to SISHA International that they have been abused. Knowing that they are safe and free from intimidation is the key to a victim having the courage to report the crime committed against them. SISHA International investigators collect evidence to prove a person has or is being exploited, and in partnership with local authorities, remove victims from their abusive situations.
In all cases, SISHA International’s priority is to ensure victims are removed from abusive situations and safe from intimidation.
2. Immediate Assistance and Aftercare
SISHA International’s “victim first” policies and procedures are firmly guided by the “Do No Harm Principle” and adhere to the United Nations ethical standards for counter trafficking.
SISHA International’s aftercare specialists respond to the immediate needs of a victim who has been abused. Conducting an initial needs assessment on every victim to determine the best-required care, including medical attention, disease treatment, trauma & psychological counseling and drug addiction treatment.
In cooperation with relevant government officials and victims families, SISHA International’s aftercare specialists ensure that victims, who have specialist needs or have an on-going security issue, are placed in pre-approved aftercare shelters, where they receive specialist longer term aftercare treatment, including formal education and vocational training, so that they can eventually re-integrate back into the community.
SISHA International believes that the family unit is the best from of rehabilitation, so victims who do not need specialist treatment and do not have a security threat are reunited with their families. SISHA International Aftercare specialists continue to conduct regular follow-ups with victims and families to ensure an ongoing relationship and to provide continual support and counseling.
3. Offender Accountability
SISHA International believes that in order for a victim to successfully rehabilitate from the abuse they received, they need to feel safe and know that the person who abused them has been held accountable.
SISHA International’s lawyers and legal assistants provide advice to victims and their families, ensuring that they understand their legal options, and have strong representation during police formal processes, ensuring that there is no intimidation or negative influence over their complaint.
For those victims and families that wish to pursue prosecution against their offender, SISHA International’s lawyers ensure the best possible legal representation during the judicial process and assist victims on their journey to re-empowerment, by telling their offender –
“What you did to me was wrong, and I am no longer afraid”.
4. Capacity Building
SISHA International believes that a key factor of preventing abuse from being committed against poor and vulnerable people in the community is to strengthen the capacity of frontline police officers to effectively investigate serious crime.
Increasing the capacity of police to investigate illegal activity, in particular exploitation and gender related crimes not only ensures the successful prosecution of offenders, but improves the image of police in the community and encourages individuals to respect and utilise the law.