Restore hope to sexual abuse survivors in Zambia

Empowering Law Enforcement to Support Survivors

In Lusaka we conducted training with 26 law enforcement officers and the workshop highlighted how institutional weaknesses like understaffing and lack of trauma – informed protocols undermine justice for survivors. The officers valued the content which focused ontrauma-informed, survivor-centred approaches in dealing with survivors of abuse.

A deeply moving moment came during a trauma awareness session , where a female officer shared her story of narrowly escaping rape as a child. She described her attacker, her fear, and the silence she maintained for months until she finally disclosed what happened. Her testimony revealed the lifelong emotional toll of abuse and the years it took to trust again even into adulthood.

“That experience made me hate all men. I never thought I’d find peace again but through prayer, counselling, and time, I healed.”– Workshop participant, Lusaka

Her story was a powerful reminder that survivors are not just case files, they are people carrying deep wounds and resilient hope

Another officer shared that  ‘’Now I don’t see someone as being difficult when they say they don’t remember something during an interview – I see someone whose been through something painful. That helps me to ask better questions, listen more and be patient.”

Community Workshops

We conducted workshops with 20 youth and 20 women in Lusaka, focusing on understanding and preventing church abuse, creating safe spaces for participants to share their experiences, explore healing, understanding trauma – informed support and power dynamics.

Youth Engagement:

At the end of the workshop the young people learnt about the different forms of abuse and dynamics, they expressed a strong desire to raise awareness within their churches and communities and there was a clear call for more workshops and youth friendly resources.

“We have really learned a lot and wish we had more time to continue learning. We can’t wait for you to come back; we need more of these workshops.”- Lusaka Youth

Women's Empowerment:

Most of the women who were in attendance appreciated that facilitators used local languages, which helped them to easily grasp the key concepts. A recurring concern was fear of reporting abuse, especially in close-knit circles where whistleblowers might face backlash. One woman shared that she stopped attending a particular church because she was emotionally mistreated by church leadership. “This training gave me the words for what I experienced; it was abuse. She said”

They were especially interested in learning more about the Anti-GBV Act, recognizing the importance of legal literacy in protecting themselves and others.

You Are Part of Someone’s Healing Story

Because of you, survivors of church-related sexual abuse are finding safety, support, and the courage to heal. Every workshop, every conversation with law enforcement, every community gathering—these are not just activities. They are lifelines. They are moments where someone feels seen, heard, and believed for the first time.

Your generosity is helping us build communities where survivors are no longer silenced, but empowered. Where justice is not just a word, but a reality we pursue together. You are helping us train allies, educate protectors, and create spaces where healing can begin.

Thank you for walking this journey with us. Your support is not just appreciated—it’s transformative. Together, we are changing lives.

With your generous support, we've made significant strides in breaking the silence of church related abuse in Zambia. Our recent initiatives have focused on equipping law enforcement, women, and youth with the knowledge and tools to recognize, prevent, and respond to abuse, fostering environments where survivors can find support and justice.

Empowering Law Enforcement to Support Survivors

In Chongwe, we trained 28 police officers on understanding abuse dynamics within church settings and other institutions. The workshop included discussions on how abuse happens, how power can be misused, the tactics abusers use, how trauma affects victims and how to ask questions in a sensitive way.

The officers reported coming away with a better understanding of how to support survivors and how important it is to be fair and compassionate in their work. They also shared the need for stronger cooperation with other services, like health workers, and suggested that victims could be interviewed by officers of the same sex to help them feel more comfortable.

“The workshop helped me understand the importance of responding to abuse cases with sensitivity and compassion. I will work to create a safe and supportive environment for victims of abuse.” – Police officer

“I learned about the prevalence of grooming. I will be more vigilant in my investigations and work to hold perpetrators accountable.” – Police officer

This training helped officers reflect on their own attitudes and gave them practical tools to build stronger cases and support survivors with care and respect and marks a meaningful step forward in strengthening the justice system’s response to abuse more widely.

Community Workshops: Amplifying Survivor Experiences

We conducted workshops with 56 youth and 50 women in Chongwe and Lusaka, focusing on understanding and preventing church abuse. These sessions provided safe spaces for participants to share experiences, challenge harmful norms, and learn about available support services.

Youth Engagement:

For many of the youth present, some already serving in leadership roles in their community, there was an eagerness to be change drivers in their communities which was encouraging to see. Discussions around contributing factors to abuse and around consent revealed continuing prevalent societal misconceptions, which were addressed through open dialogue and education.

“I feel more confident in my ability to recognize and respond to abuse. I will be an ally to those who have been affected and support them in their journey towards healing.” – Youth participant

Women's Empowerment:

The women's workshops, conducted in mostly local languages (Bemba and Nyanja), facilitated honest conversations about the challenges of reporting abuse and the importance of understanding legal rights. Participants expressed a strong desire to disseminate the knowledge gained:

“I feel empowered to speak out against abuse and support those who have been affected. I will use my voice to raise awareness and promote a culture of respect and empathy.” – Woman participant

These workshops not only increased awareness of abuse in faith settings but in other contexts including the home. It also sparked grassroots momentum for ongoing education, advocacy and survivor support as the women commited to a follow up meeting to train peers in their community. We’re now working to develop further resources to support these emerging local leaders.

Your Impact: Creating Safe and Supportive Communities

These initiatives are part of our ongoing commitment to restore hope to survivors of church-related sexual abuse. By educating law enforcement and community members, we're building a network of informed allies dedicated to preventing abuse and supporting survivors.

Your continued support is vital in expanding these programs and reaching more communities. Together, we're fostering environments where survivors are heard, believed, empowered to seek justice and heal from their trauma.

Thank you for being such an integral part of this journey.