Admin -
2015 නොවැ 18
Project Inspire
In 2005, 19-year-old Alia-Whitney Johnson arrived in Sri Lanka as a tsunami-relief volunteer. She witnessed a heartbreaking reality: girls as young as 11-years-old who have survived sexual abuse and have the courage to take their perpetrator to court are placed in protective shelters during their court cases. While living in these shelters, they are isolated from their community and are denied the right to formal education. Consequently, these young girls lack the education, skills and capital to be self-sufficient when they transition back into the community. Without a support network or skills, and facing incredible societal stigma, it is easy for these young women to fall into abusive relationships or be forced into the sex industry.