A perpetrator has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison after pretending to help a 14-year-old boy but then sexually abusing him.
The survivor was brought to safety at one of Hope for Justice’s Lighthouses in Ethiopia where we care for children who have been exploited or who are at risk of modern slavery. Our team have since reunited him with his family.
Amir* was first referred to us by police in the capital Addis Ababa, when officers were investigating reports that a stranger had sexually abused him.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Amir was born in Central Ethiopia Regional State, in the Tembaro special woreda (district).
He made money as a shoe shiner and supported his family when his older brother became very sick. Later though, he decided to find new work in the capital but could not find anywhere to live. That’s when a stranger befriended him and offered to share his shelter with Amir.
But the man tricked him: while Amir was asleep that night, the stranger sexually abused him.
A passerby realised what was happening and helped Amir to escape. The good Samaritan accompanied Amir to a nearby police station to report the abuse and seek help. While they investigated, for Amir’s safety he was referred to Hope for Justice – to one of our temporary 24-7 aftercare shelters known as Lighthouses. There, he was safe, with his own bed, nutritious food, access to medical care and catch-up education. He received psychosocial support, including trauma-informed care, and legal support including counselling. Our Legal Support Officer worked alongside Amir so that he could assist with the police investigation.
Police identified the suspected perpetrator and he was taken to court. Our Legal Support Officer assisted Amir throughout the legal proceedings, attending court hearings, and then as he bravely testified against the accused. The defendant was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison for sexually abusing Amir.
Amir has since been reintegrated with his family and he has now returned to school to continue his education.
While this case was not one involving human trafficking but rather sexual abuse, Hope for Justice supports children who are living on the streets and vulnerable to exploitation. Our team has extensive experience of supporting survivors of abuse, and we therefore offered the support that was needed to ensure justice and freedom for this young boy.
*Name and image changed to protect identity of the survivor
