Lost Boys of the 21st Century

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Lost Boys of the 21st Century is a unique and innovative solution developed by the 1st NAEF to address a critical and highly dangerous gap in in the recovery, rehabilitation, and re-integration of young male victims of gender-based violence.

THE CHALLENGE

“[The Lost Boys] are victims who suffer in silence… they too experience health complications, such as physical injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, psychological stress and trauma.” – Zainab Bangura, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, 2013

Young males (8-16 years of age) rescued and recovered from ISIS captivity and indoctrination are not being recognized, or being treated appropriately, as victims of violence or sexual violence in conflict. They have also been radicalized and indoctrinated into violent extremism and intolerance by their captors.

They are being excluded from available treatments necessary for their recovery because of their gender and a pervasive flaw in global narratives surrounding victims. The programs offered, that they so desperately need, were said to be not for them – these services were designed and implemented to specifically help women and girls.

The consequence of not recognizing or treating these ‘Lost Boys’ should be clear. Within 5 to 10 years, we will most likely be fighting many of them, as they are at very high risk of becoming the next generation of violent perpetrators and/or extremists.

We need to take immediate action. We are years behind already.

OUR MISSION

To break the cycle of violence and protect the vulnerable. We want to be a catalyst and guiding light towards achieving gender-inclusive, but also gender-specific, treatment, education, de-radicalization, and re-integration of ALL victims of violence and sexual violence in conflict.

OUR POSITION

We are gender-neutral and non-partisan. We believe that all victims of gender-based violence should have dedicated gender-specific care and recovery programs, to help them overcome their traumas and rebuild their lives. We want to help ensure that humanitarian aid and development programs do not impart gender bias directly or indirectly.