Survivors

WAR's aim initially was to offer legal, medical and psychological assistance to survivors of rape but now these services are offered to survivors of all forms of sexual abuse and other forms of gender-based violence and exploitation as well.

Professionals

WAR's networking efforts with the Police, Women's Police, Lawyers, Medico-legal Officers, medical professionals, NGOs, CBOs as well as other relevant organizations and individuals have been particularly successful. WAR initially followed up on cases highlighted in the media or referred by volunteers but in 1996 a campaign to raise awareness about WAR's activities and services was undertaken. By 1997, cases were being referred to us by the Police, the office of the Police Surgeon, CPLC, HRCP and other NGOs and CBOs.

Government/ legislature

Realizing that need for collaborative action in order to address the issues of the discriminatory Zina (extra-marital sex) and Hudood (limitation) Laws, WAR initiated and established AADL (Alliance Against Discriminatory Laws). This platform enables WAR to reach a larger target group as well as develop collaborative strategies towards lobbying against these laws which at an individual organizational level was impossible. WAR is also an active member of ARC (the Alliance for the Rights of the Child), the Legislative Watch Group and Joint Action Committee.

The community

WAR's efforts of awareness' raising can not be aimed at any very specific target area or group. Awareness-raising activities broadly focus on: the psychological and social ramifications of sexual abuse, rape and gender-based violence; legal rights and procedures; tips for safety and prevention; facilities available to survivors and the services WAR offers. Since this is information that must be made available to everyone, the aim is to reach out to as many individuals particularly to women and children as well as to all professionals that come into contact with survivors of abuse. WAR has worked with students, parent groups, medical and legal professionals, media representatives, journalists, teachers, WAR staff, active volunteers, NGO and CBO workers and their target groups.

With an increase in cases of child sexual abuse and the realization boys and teenagers in general were a particularly vulnerable group, WAR began to develop strategies to address these issues with parents and children. The Young Friends of WAR program was launched in 1997 and in 1998 WAR began to go into schools conducting presentation for students, teachers and parents.

WAR is a platform where any member of the community can work for the issues WAR addresses. Since WAR itself is part of the community and essentially indivisible from it, we feel it is one of our utmost priorities to focus on the awareness and self-growth of our own members. Since we are aiming to bring about a change in the community, it is essential to ensure that the change begin with ourselves. "Each one of us, as a part of the community, is representative of the collective conscience of the community as a whole. Any change within ourselves is a contribution towards a change in the society at large".