We are committed to the safety, welfare, and protection of all children entrusted to our care. We do everything in our power to create a safe, nurturing environment for children and to prevent all forms of abuse by acting in the best interests of the children, opposing all forms of exploitation and abuse.
ZOE’S CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
In order to ensure that our work and activities promote the safety and security of children at all times, ZOE enforces a strict Child Protection Policy, including a Media Protection Policy, detailing guidelines related to the standards of conduct, recruitment, and screening of staff and volunteers; training; fundraising and publicity protocols; policies; and more.
ZOE’S MEDIA POLICY
ZOE International believes in the dignity of all individuals and, as such, does not intentionally use identifiable images of trafficked children in our media and marketing materials. Children come from a range of backgrounds and circumstances. ZOE never wants anyone to infer that ALL the children seen in any external media are child trafficking survivors or directly rescued from a brothel. We hope to see transformation in every area of the lives of the children who are rescued, including physical and emotional. ZOE does not want children branded as sexual abuse or human trafficking victims. The protection of children is our number one priority.
“As you join with ZOE, as we continue to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, we ask that you always seek to employ ‘best practices’ and put the children first. We encourage people to be voices in their communities. That is why we have written Standards of Conduct and Fundraising/Publicity Protocols.”
– Michael Hart, CEO of ZOE
ZOE places media online to share information about ZOE Children’s Homes with those who support, financially contribute, volunteer, and assist ZOE. Additionally, the online media has become a resource for individuals and groups who wish to align with ZOE, as we rescue and care for orphans and other vulnerable children from human trafficking and for those who want to increase their knowledge about the trafficking of children.
“By adhering to the Standards of Conduct and Fundraising/Publicity Protocols, you are partnering with ZOE. You can be the voice for these children, and we can keep them safe.”
–David Cross, Child Protection Manager
Frequently Asked Questions
ZOE has never bought a child. ZOE will never buy a child. There are many other ways to support the rescue of a child without empowering a trafficker. Because ZOE has been involved in the rescue of children for many years, we are able to use our relationships with government officials, social services, and community leaders to safely, ethically, and legally rescue children.
ZOE will always act in the best interest of each child. Once a child comes into the safety of our aftercare they become part of our family. A child can continue to live and be cared for after they reach 18 years of age, provided that they are continuing their studies at school, a university, or in other vocational training that will equip them further for independent living. Our aim is to raise up leaders that will create a positive impact on their local communities and their nation, so we carefully evaluate a child’s individual development and growth, rather than using their date of birth as the deciding factor. Higher education scholarships are also available. Find out more about our Transitional Program Here.
ZOE fights for the rights of children who have no one else to fight for them. The children come from a range of backgrounds, including being orphaned; on the market to be sold; directly rescued from being labor slaves, begging slaves, and sex slaves; subject to heinous crimes and abuse. Because ZOE believes in acting in the best interest of a child, we also provide short-term relief to families who may be struggling due to unforeseen circumstances. If ZOE investigates a situation where a family is in need, but they are safe in their community, we may provide short-term assistance and then refer the situation to a non-government organization that is equipped to provide longer-term care for the family.
ZOE seeks to work alongside the government to ensure children are cared for and kept safe. Without the tireless and excellent work of our Thai government partners, progress in combatting human trafficking in Thailand would not be possible. ZOE is a member of the Anti-Trafficking Multi-Disciplinary Task Force (MDT). Thai government members include the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Immigration Department, and Transnational Crime Unit Police Region 5 (the law enforcement agency responsible for anti-trafficking activity in northern Thailand). We have also worked on cases with Thailand’s Anti Human Trafficking Department (AHTD).
Yes, ZOE has formed productive partnerships with other NGOs (non-governmental organizations), including World Vision, Children’s Hunger Fund (CHF),TRAFCORD, New Life Center, International Justice Mission (IJM), the Dream Centre, the MAP Foundation, and the San Jai Network.
ZOE is committed to the safety, welfare, and protection of all children. We have a Child Protection Policy that ensures that our work and activities promote the safety and security of children at all times.
ZOE protects our children’s identity and dignity at all times. Media may show orphaned or at-risk children but never trafficked children. Children come from a range of backgrounds and circumstances. ZOE never wants anyone to imply that ALL the children seen in any external media are child trafficking survivors or directly rescued from a brothel. ZOE hopes to see transformation of every area of the lives of the children who are rescued, including physical and emotional. ZOE does not want children branded as sex slaves or trafficking victims. The protection of children is our number one priority.
Yes, ZOE helps all children. Our Child Protection Policy ensures that all children are treated with the same love, care, respect, and opportunity, regardless of their faith and beliefs. ZOE brings children of many different faiths to its aftercare shelter. Our Child Protection Policy defines several areas of abuse, one of which is spiritual. This ensures that no organization, institution, church or family member misuses their power or authority or the trust placed in them with the intention of controlling, coercing, manipulating, or dominating a child into religious practices.
We are passionate about stopping child trafficking once and for all. We have a comprehensive program of restoration for each child. This helps each child distance herself from her past. In addition, each child is encouraged to set healthy and realistic goals for her future. This new path of life for each child includes standard education and relevant vocational training to equip her with the skills for success. Further, we will assist every child into adulthood and help her stand on her own. In short, our aim is to eliminate every obstacle and pitfall that would ever cause her to return to human trafficking.