28th March
Dear James
Thank you for your email of 25th
March requesting information about Hagar’s approach to recovery. We have been
serving victims of extreme human rights abuses in Cambodia since 1994. It is
our mission to welcome the toughest of human conditions, stay focused on the
individual and do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to restore life in
all its fullness. We strive to maintain excellence in our standard of care by
incorporating the most up to date research on client recovery by implementing
an individualized wholistic approach. Wholeness involves protection, personal
well being, economic empowerment and social/capital integration. This approach
requires us to individually assess each client and tailor our services in a way
that will best suit the needs of the client in all these four areas. We
recognize that an integral part of recovery is the reintegration of clients
with their families and work with each client towards the goal of family and
community reintegration. We also work in close co-operation with the Ministry
of Social Affairs and Youth Rehabilitation (MOSVY) on protection, case
management and community re-integration. For more information about Hagar’s
approach to recovery I invite you to read “The Road Home” research conducted by
us in conjunction with World Vision on a model for reintegration for sexually
exploited children…
At present:
11% of Hagar clients are in
institutional recovery. This is a secure shelter-based program where clients
receive their initial assessments and care, usually between 3 and 18 months. It
is important to note that only clients who cannot remain in the community begin
their recovery in shelter.
7% of our clients are in
community based recovery programs where they access intensive Hagar services
but live in the community with their families.
27% are in transitional care
which includes group homes, community foster families and semi-independent
living.
56% have reintegrated home and
completed recovery services. This 56% receives follow-up care from Hagar
primarily in the form of case management and the average time from intake to
this stage is usually two years.
Until reintegration happens Hagar
facilitates interaction with family especially around Cambodian cultural and
religious holidays. Again, this interaction would vary greatly depending on
each individual child’s situation.
Children in our care are wards of
the State and Hagar works with the Ministry of Social Affairs on the chain of
custody. Appropriately, it is the State, not the NGO, that ultimately licenses
our work and approves custody decisions with family members.
The information that was given to
you by the former Hagar client is inconsistent with our current practices and
philosophies. Without a complete name and other identifying information it is
impossible for us to respond to any specific enquiries. Even if you were to
provide this information we could not respond to you due to our policy of
client confidentiality. If you could help us to identify the client in question
we would welcome the opportunity to meet with her to personally respond to her
complaints.
Talmage Payne
CEO Hagar International
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