FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WILL ZOE BUY CHILDREN?

ZOE has never bought a child. ZOE will never buy a child. There are many other ways to support the rescue of a child without empowering a trafficker. Because ZOE has been involved in the rescue of children for many years, we are able to use our relationships with government officials, social services, and community leaders to safely, ethically, and legally rescue children.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CHILD TURNS 18?

ZOE will always act in the best interest of each child. Once a child comes into the safety of our aftercare they become part of our family. A child can continue to live and be cared for after they reach 18 years of age, provided that they are continuing their studies at school, a university, or in other vocational training that will equip them further for independent living.  Our aim is to raise up leaders that will create a positive impact on their local communities and their nation, so we carefully evaluate a child’s individual development and growth, rather than using their date of birth as the deciding factor. Higher education scholarships are also available. Find out more about our Transitional Program here.

HOW DOES ZOE DECIDE WHO TO RESCUE?

ZOE fights for the rights of children who have no one else to fight for them. The children come from a range of backgrounds, including being orphaned; on the market to be sold; directly rescued from being labour slaves, begging slaves, and sex slaves; subject to heinous crimes and abuse.  Because ZOE believes in acting in the best interest of a child, we also provide short-term relief to families who may be struggling due to unforeseen circumstances. If ZOE investigates a situation where a family is in need, but they are safe in their community, we may provide short-term assistance and then refer the situation to a non-government organisation that is equipped to provide longer-term care for the family.

DOES ZOE WORK WITH THE GOVERNMENT?

ZOE seeks to work alongside the government to ensure children are cared for and kept safe. Without the tireless and excellent work of our Thai government partners, progress in combatting human trafficking in Thailand would not be possible. ZOE is a member of the Anti-Trafficking Multi-Disciplinary Task Force (MDT). Thai government members include the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Immigration Department, and Transnational Crime Unit Police Region 5 (the law enforcement agency responsible for anti-trafficking activity in northern Thailand). We have also worked on cases with Thailand’s Anti Human Trafficking Department (AHTD).

DOES ZOE WORK WITH OTHER NGOS?

Yes, ZOE has formed productive partnerships with other NGOs (non-governmental organizations), including The Hug Project, World Vision, Children’s Hunger Fund (CHF), TRAFCORD, New Life Center, International Justice Mission (IJM), the Dream Centre, the MAP Foundation, and the San Jai Network.

HOW DOES ZOE PROTECT THE CHILDREN?

ZOE is committed to the safety, welfare, and protection of all children. We have a Child Protection Policy that ensures that our work and activities promote the safety and security of children at all times.

HOW ARE RESCUED CHILDREN PORTRAYED IN ZOE'S EXTERNAL MEDIA?

ZOE protects the identity and dignity of children and does not show trafficked children. ZOE protects the identity of children because they are often in danger of people wanting to do them harm as they may be a witnesses as part of the prosecution process. ZOE protects the dignity of children because others may have exploited them. We do not want to cause embarrassment or shame to a child by using their picture publicly. We do not want to exploit them by using their face as a point for fundraising. ZOE are advocates for children. We seek to protect survivors of child trafficking, and protect the identity and dignity of all children. We will not use another child's face as substitute for a victim of human trafficking in media. 

ZOE will use consenting actors to illustrate human trafficking. The actors face will be concealed. In video reenactments ZOE identify the media as a depiction.

HOW DOES ZOE PROTECT THE CHILDREN?DOES ZOE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN OF ANY FAITH?

Yes, ZOE helps all children. Our Child Protection Policy ensures that all children are treated with the same love, care, respect, and opportunity, regardless of their faith and beliefs. ZOE brings children of many different faiths to its restoration home. Our Child Protection Policy defines several areas of abuse, one of which is spiritual. This ensures that no organisation, institution, church or family member misuses their power or authority or the trust placed in them with the intention of controlling, coercing, manipulating, or dominating a child into religious practices.