Our Mission
We are an independent and trusted expertise center that gives a positive contribution (IMPACT) to preventing and addressing trafficking in human beings (THB or human trafficking) and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). We look at the related crimes of human trafficking, enslavement and conflict-related sexual violence independently as well as together; this makes IMPACT unique.
We wish to be a partner that makes connections transcending disciplines, between people who are committed to prevent and address human trafficking and conflict-related sexual violence. We furthermore wish to be a catalyst for discussing perceptions about human trafficking and conflict-related sexual violence and improving the protection of victims/survivors. We also undertake activities that are closely related, such as human rights education. Only when human rights are respected, the right conditions in societies are created to prevent and address human trafficking and conflict-related sexual violence.
Our vision
A world in which people live together respectfully and realise that we dependent on each other to create a better world, a world free of violence. A world in which human trafficking and conflict-related sexual violence do no longer take place by addressing and looking at these crimes separately and in combination.
Our values
We undertake this work based on a common passion for the topics human trafficking and conflict-related sexual violence, a commitment to make a contribution to a better world where people have heart for each other, and a conviction that this approach reflects our norms, values and vision.
We are conscious of the sensitive field we work in. We want to ensure that each person or organization we work with – as a partner, a donor, a board member, a staff member, a student a victim/survivor or otherwise – is treated with respect and dignity. To underline our mutual commitments in this respect, Impact has an Integrity Protocol.
Impact-criterion
IMPACT stands for making a positive contribution to preventing and addressing human trafficking and conflict-related sexual violence. IMPACT is the criterion that we test against to decide whether the proposed activities match the identity and core mission of IMPACT. To ensure that we are always able to implement empowerment projects, which are less easily fundable, 10% of IMPACT’s income from other activities will be reserved for empowerment projects (see under ‘empowerment & advocacy’).
Policy Plan 2022-2025 (in brief)
Focus Impact: Impact focusses on preventing and addressing THB and CRSV from four different angles: (1) research and advice; (2) education and awareness; (3) training and capacity building; and (4) empowerment and advocacy.
Prioritisation of activities: ideally, in the coming period [2022-2025] Impact focusses primarily on research and education, and secondarily on empowerment projects. Impact checks whether it can carry out a project based on its importance and how financially beneficial it is.
Systemic approach: Impact works from a systemic approach. Impact does this by:
– Increasing knowledge and creating awareness (being recognised and acknowledged as a centre of expertise on these themes after 5 years).
– Generating strategic impact (lobbying, adjusting legislation, etc).
– Contributing to improving the circumstances of victims/survivors and their families (effective access to facilities/rights), with an eye for perpetrators as well.
– In addition to optimising the approach, specific attention for prevention.
Geographic focus: although Impact has a global focus in its mission, in the coming period Impact will focus primarily on Europe and Africa.
Content focus: for the coming period, in addition to the individual projects on THB or CRSV, Impact would like to focus on a number of areas in which Impact believes it can make a difference. In doing so, Impact focuses on systemic change. In order to realise this, impact on multiple levels is necessary. What makes Impact unique is the nexus between THB and CRSV (a niche within the field).
Areas of attention: Impact focuses on the following areas of attention:
– The nexus between THB and CRSV in the general sense (more attention for this in education and the public debate).
– The nexus between THB and CRSV in international crimes (enslavement/slave trade/forced marriage/sexual slavery).
– The nexus between THB, CRSV and terrorism (‘sexual terrorism’).
– Continued provision of expertise in dealing with the individual crimes, with specific attention to the role of victims/survivors, awareness and prevention.