The Dominican Republic (DR) is a major tourist destination with a high demand for exotic entertainment. For young, local girls looking for a future, the deceptive lure of this industry often ensnares them in forced prostitution, and sexual exploitation or abuse. Tourists from Europe, America or Asia often lure Dominican girls as call-girls with promises of marriage, financial support and a better life. Dominican women and children are trafficked to Latin America and Europe, and Haitians are trafficked into and within the DR. Reports estimate 2,000 Haitian children are trafficked into the DR annually. The DR Republic has not increased efforts to address trafficking, and trafficking-related law enforcement remains weak.
In 2009, the Trafficking In Persons Report classified the Dominican Republic as a Tier 2 Watch List country. The Dominican Republic continues to struggle in prosecuting trafficking offenders.
In 2003, Shared Hope International hosted its 2nd “Next Steps” Conference in a cooperative effort with the U.S. Department of State to raise awareness of sex trafficking and encourage collaboration between government and civilians on the issue. Following the conference, Shared Hope founded a Homes of Hope in Santo Domingo to protect young women and children as they escaped sexual slavery and provide legal, medical, psychological and spiritual support to women and children who are victims of sex trafficking. The Home of Hope in Santo Domingo was closed in 2007 but Shared Hope International maintains relationships with their partners.
In 2003, SHI also launched the “Esmerelda Campaign” in partnership with a Hispanic social marketing company based in Washington, D.C.. This campaign created a nation-wide radio ad that aired repeatedly in the Dominican Republic, featuring a toll free number and the Home of Hope for women and young girls forced into the sex trade. The launch of the toll free number successfully identified victims who were then placed into the care of SHI's Home of Hope. The campaign won a Pollie Award, given by the American Association of Political Consultants, in the category of Spanish-language public affairs.
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