Paper short abstract:

Chab Dai is a coalition of over 50 faith based NGOs focusing on modern day slavery in Cambodia. The Butterfly project is a longitudinal research project involving over 100 participants who have been sexually exploited and then been through faith based programs and reintegrated over a ten year period

Paper long abstract:

Chab Dai is a coalition of over 50 faith based NGOs focusing on modern day slavery in Cambodia. The Butterfly project is a longitudinal research project involving over 100 participants who have been sexually exploited and then been through 14 faith residential and community based programs and reintegrated over a ten year period. Some of the findings of this research will be presented especially the impact of faith and spirituality. Although most of the participants came from Folk Buddhist backgrounds and some returned to these traditional roots, others found comfort, healing and support from Christian beliefs. Nearly all participants were clear that they did not feel coerced to change their beliefs. The paper will discuss some of the positive and possibly negative teachings of different experienced religions; Christianity, Folk Buddhism, Chinese Taoism and Traditional Spirit Worship/Healing. It will also look at how participants see the impact that these beliefs have on their lives today, sometimes years after completing the programmes. It will make recommendations to policy makers and practitioners on spiritual care vs. spiritual abuse and suggest inclusion of spirituality as part of holistic care of children and vulnerable people.