Caritas Bakhita House 2024 End of year report
Caritas Bakhita House is a safe house for women who have been trafficked, and exploited in any way. Opened in 2015, it is owned by the Diocese of Westminster and managed by Caritas Westminster.
Our values and principles are drawn from the Catholic faith.
• Love is shown in compassionate support and long-term commitment.
• We respect the dignity of every individual.
• Our community creates friendship and belonging.
• We nurture spirituality in creative activities that can bring joy and lift the spirit.
People of all faiths and none are welcome at Caritas Bakhita House.
We depend on the generosity of supporters giving donations and volunteers giving their time to run this unique service for women.
Bakhita House Guests: Facts & Figures
205
women aged 15-70 have stayed at Caritas Bakhita House.
16
babies have been born to women staying with us.
Guests have come from 50 countries
We protect the identities of all the women who stay at Bakhita House. Although we change their names when we share their stories, all other details are true.
223
We have helped secure prison sentences totalling years and 1 month for those who traffick and exploit women.
Volunteers generously donated
2,000
and
A year in review
Dear Friend,
“I wanted to face them. I wanted them to know I am strong.” These are the words of Anna, who stayed at Caritas Bakhita House after years of exploitation.
As you’ll read on pages 5-6, Anna showed enormous resilience on her long journey through the justice system. She bravely gave evidence against two men and a woman who exploited her. As a result, they are in jail, and all women are safer.
You can also discover more about the therapeutic activities – from pottery to a day at the beach – that help women escaping violence, trafficking, sexual exploitation and modern slavery move forward through their individual process of healing.
I’m grateful to everyone who is an active part of our work here – our volunteers, staff members, and generous supporters. Thank you for your every act of kindness, which becomes hope and healing for the women at Caritas Bakhita House. One of our guests told me, “What my time here has taught me is not to look back, but forward where my future is and where I will be safe.”
Karen
Anstiss
Karen Anstiss Head of Caritas Bakhita House
Anh’s fight for justice
Anh was subjected to a campaign of sexual, physical and emotional abuse. She eventually escaped by jumping out of a window, and she came to Caritas Bakhita House after leaving hospital.
We helped her to work closely with the Metropolitan Police, enabling her to give extensive evidence against her attacker.
Anh’s abuser was found guilty of offences including rape, false imprisonment and grievous bodily harm in March 2024. Anh said, “I knew that if I did not go to court, he would have done this to someone else.”
We are always in awe of the bravery of the women who give evidence. Their courage saves lives.
Caritas Bakhita House 2024
Karen Anstiss, Head of Caritas Bakhita House
Front cover photo by Ciaran McCrickard: Marley, Cats Protection ‘National Cat of the Year’ attends an art class with women staying at Caritas Bakhita House.
“I wanted to face them. I wanted them to know I am strong.”
Karen, Head of Caritas Bakhita House, has helped Anna rebuild her life from the lowest point possible and find the strength to fight for justice.
I met Anna in March 2020. She was from Romania and had been sexually exploited on the streets for many years. I did not realise at our first meeting how her journey of recovery would impact me, the team, and even the police supporting her. We were to witness Anna rebuilding her life from scratch.
Anna left home at 16 after suffering an abusive childhood. She then fell prey to an older female who exploited her first in Romania, then Europe, and then England. When I met Anna, she had her hood up and was covering her face. She was extremely undernourished and had very few teeth. She was terrified of interaction with people.
When I first began to work with her, she was like an empty shell. Anna could only function if someone else directed her. She was constantly waiting for us to guide her, even with basic tasks such as when to eat, when to shower, when to sleep.
Anna had suffered very poor physical conditions. Sadly, after dental advice, she had to have her remaining teeth removed. Yet another experience in her life that was painful, but Anna faced it with enormous courage. Her will to survive was the strongest I had ever witnessed.
Anna was adamant that if any Romanians came to Caritas Bakhita House, she did not want them to know she was Romanian. It quickly became apparent that this was because of her utter terror of what had been inflicted on her by her exploiters. Little by little, she would take a tiny step forward –choosing her own clothes, for instance. But any form of conflict would see her retreating back into herself. Something as small as the other guests arguing over whose turn it was to use the washing machine would set her back, And, so, we would start again.
Simple things such as sharing a meal at the table was difficult for her, as she had been trained to eat on the floor with a bucket as a table. The exploiters
had told her she was too disgusting to eat with them. She was treated worse than a dog.
We had to go back to basics, teaching Anna about hygiene, cooking, eating, shopping and managing her money. But for me the saddest thing was having to teach a person her age how to socialise, how to love herself, and simply be herself.
It was a year before Anna felt confident to leave the house unaccompanied by a support worker. She wanted to go to the bank and save the £40 each guest is given every week as spending money.
Anna said,
“It was the first time I had ever had control of my money to use it for my own needs.”
When I took her to the Romanian Consulate to pick up her passport, it was another step on her journey. The exploiters had kept it to entrap her. When Anna took hold of the passport, she leapt into my arms. She held me so tight I could hardly breathe.
A long and complex criminal investigation took place. For Anna, this meant continuous interaction with the police from March 2020 until September 2024. Anna never wavered in her fight for justice.
“At Caritas Bakhita House, it was the first time I felt listened to,” she reflected.
“It was the first time I could trust someone. Drama therapy taught me to put my hand on my heart, and to use my inner power. So, I wanted to face them. I wanted for them to know I am strong.”
She did it not only for herself but to stop others being exploited. Her courage has been simply amazing. I cannot comprehend how she has done it.
In September 2024, sentencing finally took place. Two men and one woman were jailed for a total of 22 years. The Senior Investigating Officer said:
“I would like to commend the survivor for her incredible strength through this entire process, and for trusting us to get justice. She endured years of abuse and coercion by this group, and was forced to live in unimaginable conditions for much of her life. I am glad today to see that they will now face a considerable time behind bars, before they will be deported by our immigration colleagues.”
We have witnessed Anna rebuilding her shattered life and could not be prouder of her. Anna is a shining example of what is achievable even after years of brutality. The team have supported her every step of the way but it is her sheer determination, resilience and bravery that has led to her new life.
Anna has moved away from us to begin her new life. She has a job and a home. She is still healing. For Anna, it is a very long road.
Exploring the world from a safe place
A guest describes a day travelling the world, without leaving Caritas Bakhita House.
Our flight was for two o’clock. You are probably wondering where we were going. Caritas Bakhita House was our plane, taking us on an amazing global adventure. Or, if I were to put it in another way, it was our Cultural Day with everyone proudly representing their countries.
There is no better way than food to tell people about your country. As we sat around the dining table, each dish told a story and each bite was a step into a different heritage. We had peanut butter rice from Zimbabwe, saoba from Botswana, egusi from Nigeria, gari from Cameroon, okra soup and crab from Guinea, chapati from India, thai noodles from Thailand, beef in marrow from the UK, melon from Italy, mushroom and pomegranate stew from Persia and much more.
Then people shared what they like about their countries. Every speaker shared insight about their homeland, creating an image in our heads of what the countries looked like.
After speeches, we had home-made apple strudel, as well as scones, jam and ice-cream. We started dancing, laughing, and the joy in the house never ended. Everyone went to bed smiling, accompanied by a red rose from Karen.
A day filled with laughter and sunshine
A guest writes about a sunny day on Brighton beach with her ‘sisters’ – other women staying at Caritas Bakhita House.
Our day in Brighton was filled with laughter, sunshine, and unexpected adventure. As we arrived at the beach, the golden pebbles and sand shimmered under the bright sun. The view was breath-taking, and the sound of the waves and the seagulls was amazing.
We learned that one of my sisters had a fear of water and was not ready for the seaside at all. So, we promised her that we were not going to force her into the water.
When we settled down for a picnic – just as another sister was about to take a bite of her sandwich – a daring seagull snatched it right out of her hand! We burst into laughter at the audacity of the thieving bird, turning a simple lunch into a hilarious memory we will cherish. When my sister was given another sandwich, she was eating it out of the bag, because she was scared to lose it again.
Amidst the playful chaos, my other sister decided to confront her fear of water. With trembling hands and a determined look in her eyes, she slowly waded closer to the seaside, and we all cheered her on as she tried to conquer her fear.
On Brighton pier, we immersed ourselves in the array of games. To our delight, we emerged as winners, clutching keyrings and sweets as tokens of our victory. These small treasures became souvenirs of a day filled with joy and unexpected triumphs, Our adventure in Brighton brought us closer together and taught us valuable lessons about resilience and friendship. It was a day of laughter, courage, and unforgettable memories that will always hold a special place in our hearts. After a day well spent, we came home safely. I cannot wait for another day out with family.
“Your life is shaped by your hands; not someone else’s.”
A guest at Caritas Bakhita House writes about a pottery session.
“We learned how the clay works. It has to be not too wet and not too dry. The teacher told us to throw the clay onto the smallest circle of the wheel and then use our hands to shape it.
“After finishing our pots, the teacher put them into a kiln for 10 hours. I am looking forward to getting back my creations – however they look. We can refine the pottery and decide what colours to give it to make a wonderful object.
“This is similar to how you shape your body, your mind, and your soul every day. You are no longer blind in a world of trauma and bitter experience.
“Your life is shaped by your hands; not someone else’s.”
A healing therapy
Anne, Caritas Bakhita House Manager, explains why she now leads a weekly reflexology session.
When Sister Alexine retired as a volunteer, I felt sad that her reflexology therapy came to an end. Guests loved her peaceful presence and put their trust in her.
I started looking for a course myself and I started leading reflexology sessions in June. I have found it complements my other work here. I enjoy seeing our guests respond to being in a more positive space. Reflexology increases their well-being.
“Ever since I started the sessions with Anne, I have been a sleeping beauty. It’s allowed me to relax. I am so happy because she has been doing this for free and with love.”
Guest staying at Caritas Bakhita House
Marley wins National Cat of the Year
We are so proud of Marley, Bakhita House’s resident cat, who was voted ‘National Cat of the year’. Our furry team member arrived four years ago—skinny, timid and hiding anywhere he could.
Today, he greets every guest, taking care not to invade their space. With those who are cautious, he plays the long game, sitting a little closer every day until they reach out and touch him. He sits with women who are crying for as long as they need his comforting presence.
Marley was entered for the Cats Protection award because of the deep love and empathy he shows our guests. Recovery is not an easy journey and Marley shows us every day that love breaks down boundaries. If he could, he would roar like a lion to tell those who exploited them they are wrong.
Taking inspiration from the women at Caritas Bakhita House
On the 20th October, Anna embarked on a five-day pilgrimage, walking from Southwark Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral.
“I drew inspiration from our guests’ resilience. They have gone through many hardships and have not given up. It is a privilege to accompany them on their journey of recovery.”
The challenge raised an amazing £1965 to help fund therapeutic activities at Caritas Bakhita House.
Fun and fundraising at the Pineapple
Katy approached her local pub, The Pineapple, about raising money for Caritas Bakhita House.
“I was met with great enthusiasm and I began organising a raffle and an auction. Prizes included paintings, golf lessons and West End tickets. We also did an Easter Egg hunt and an Easter Bonnet Parade – a Pineapple tradition for over 150 years. We raised £3,500, with some very kind friends still donating to this day.”
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS!
If you would like to find out more about Caritas Bakhita House, or to make a donation, please contact Helen Bright via email on: helenbright@rcdow.org.uk or you can visit https://caritaswestminster.org.uk/bakhita-house/ Tel: 020 7798 9353
Donate Online: www.rcdow.org.uk/donations and select