One Hundred For Haiti: Rape Crisis Education in Rural Haiti

One Hundred For Haiti is a Seattle-based 501(c)3 organization that works directly in Haiti to help people in need. They currently manage over 40 water sources in rural Haiti to help prevent people from dying of cholera; so far, we have a 100% success rate!

Now, One Hundred For Haiti has focused its attention on a more subtle epidemic: rape and abuse. Across the world, a variety of social norms help to perpetuate abusive behavior. In Haiti, widespread lack of education is one unfortunate culprit of abuse. Moreover, it often prevents those who have been abused from speaking out for themselves against their abusers. In the last year and a half, the number of reported child rapes has been very high. As a response, One Hundred For Haiti stepped in to fund the GTPE initiative.

In French, the name roughly translates to “Group Working to Protect Children.” This collective partnership with social workers, government officials, teachers, and local leaders helps educate people about the problems of rape and abuse. Through a series of educational sessions in nine rural communities, GTPE informs parents, teachers, and locals about rape and abuse (i.e., what they are and what they are not), as well as what can be done to prevent them.

This initiative is the very first of its kind. So far, three trainings have taken place, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Many Haitians have expressed that they are happy and relieved that someone stepped up to put together these trainings on behalf of people in need.

One Hundred For Haiti’s website includes more information and photos of the work being done. Forthcoming video will show local Haitians’ responses to this important training.

The goal is simple yet profound: more education, less abuse, and more empowerment for the people of Haiti.