Damaris House helps women in Greece heal

Greece (MNN) — Imagine a place where fear and pain are replaced by hope and healing – a sanctuary where survivors of sex trafficking can get their lives back on track. This is what AMG International‘s Damaris House represents in Greece.

Since Damaris House opened its doors eight years ago, 58 women have participated in their long-term recovery program.

AMG’s Brian Dennett visited Damaris House for the first time last year with his wife.

“We were in tears… hearing their stories, how women are being exploited; it’s just heartbreaking. And then to see how their lives have changed as a result of our program, and how many of them have turned to Christ, it’s just so moving,” Dennett said.

Greece is positioned in Europe as a gateway from the Middle East to Europe, Dennett says, leading to many refugees in desperate situations in situations of human traffickingDamaris House is a safe haven for women aged 18 to 35 and their children who are at risk of sexual exploitation or have been vulnerable to it.

Damaris House’s services cover all types of needs that women may have, with an emphasis on five pillars: mental health, poverty reduction, social services, personal development and health.

“This is a long process,” Dennett said. “It takes years to heal from sexual abuse or exploitation. We are committed to working with them and seeing them come out of this walking with the Lord and whole and able to care for themselves and their children.”

Damaris House needs new windows, doors and flooring. These essential upgrades are crucial to providing women with a safe and comfortable home.
(Photo, caption courtesy of AMG International)

The results from Damaris House speak for themselves: 29 women are now stable, over 25 percent of women have jobs outside of Damaris House, and 37 women have demonstrated a commitment to recovery, resulting in a 76 percent success rate.

In fact, women are led to Christ and taught about unconditional love for the first time.

One woman shared her story during Dennett’s visit. She became a sex worker at a young age, was then rescued and cast into Damaris House.

“What we saw in the case of that testimony was a woman in the process of healing (who) had come to Christ,” Dennett said. “We could see the joy that she had and the thoughts and dreams that she had for her future slowly coming to fruition.”

Dennett hopes that people, especially men, will understand the far-reaching consequences of sexual exploitation and how it affects women and their children.

He compares the depravity and lack of empathy that accompany cases of sexual exploitation, whether it involves pornography or human trafficking, to the hope that comes with seeing women come to Christ and rebuild their lives at Damaris House.

“It’s such a joy to see these families come out of this whole, loved and finding the greatest love we have in the Lord,” Dennett said.

AMG needs $90,000 to make various repairs and improvements to Damaris House so that vulnerable women and their children can have a safe environment for many years to come. Find out how you can help here.

Header and story images courtesy of AMG International.