Carisse Busquet, a psychologist and specialist in the management of heavy injuries, has stepped in for PE in shelters and reintegration of victims of violence for several years. Living in Nepal for 25 years, Carisse knows perfectly well the history, culture and Nepali language. She explains what her work is.

- When was your meeting with the team at PE in Nepal?

About eight years ago, as I had been living in Nepal for several years, I discovered a report which reflected the inability of psychiatrists to address the huge influx of children and young women, marked by multiple Injuries in connexion with the armed conflict that had afflicted the country for 10 years. I then returned a few months in France to get a special training on the technical support of heavy injuries. Back in Nepal, I discovered PE and I started to intervene in the center Saathi with victims of domestic violence. My role was to train psychologists in the center, improve the quality of life of the center and take in consultation the heaviest cases.

- Currently, what is your work with PE?

Today I work a lot in the center which hosts the victims of sexual exploitation. The team Raksha - partner of PE - is great! Ansuya and Shrijana - a psychologist and  a social worker - are two young women, dynamic and determined that I form and accompany in the most difficult cases. We take care of the patients according to a strict protocol: a case presentation, preparation of the meeting, intervention, debriefing and preparation of the next meeting.

- How are these young women gathered and in what condition do they arrive in the centre?

The girls were rescued from brothels and "dancing bars" thanks to the work of a "street educator" who will meet them and talk to them about possibilities of accommodation in the rehabilitation centre. Once convinced, they receive an immediate therapeutic care. Very often, the trauma of prostitution is in addition to past trauma-rape, abuse and conflict-related violence. We are therefore often faced with multiple post-traumatic syndromes, which are manifested by different levels of depression or the development of social phobia. We develop therapies based on a relationship of trust and empathic listening. Cognitive therapies are very effective when speech is released. Otherwise, the use of "art therapy" allows us to have very good results.

- How long do they stay on average in the centre?

The girls stay between six months and one year. They all follow a vocational training. Their levels of knowledge are very heterogeneous, but all understand that their recovery is through knowledge, and as such are highly motivated by learning.

Whenever possible, we try to reintegrate these young girls in their community. For this, the social worker conducts a survey with the young women going to meet families and communities and assess whether they are ready to welcome the young girl, without a trace of reluctance or refusal.