Ending sexual violence against children in Uganda

In Uganda, more than one in three girls and one in six boys experience sexual violence. Because resources are limited and the stigma surrounding the problem is significant, survivors are often silenced by their communities and forced to endure their pain alone.

In 2009, Scott Lambie and his wife, Sarah, left their careers in software and moved to Uganda to work with the world-renowned African Children's Choir. Their initial commitment was for three years, but two years in, they decided to stay abroad. They adopted three Ugandan children and returned to the Austin area in 2018, settling down in Dripping Springs.

'We loved our time in Uganda and we developed impactful relationships all across the country,” Lambie said. “When we moved back to the US, it felt like there was a broader purpose for the time we invested and the experience we gained. When our adopted daughter, Vanessa, told us she wanted to start speaking about the sexual abuse she experienced, all the pieces started to fall into place. We knew we could do something about this injustice. We established Rescue One More to eradicate the sexual abuse of children in Africa.'

In 2017, Randall Rush, a British Columbia- native took a momentous trip to Africa. He said this journey altered his world view and inspired him to act. Rush had retired two years earlier and was determined to spend his golden years and resources bringing good to the world.

“As I walked through the slums and witnessed the depths of extreme poverty, it was clear to me that I must do something to help the children,” he explained.

Rush went on to financially support charity organizations working in the continent. In 2021, he learned about an issue he said moved him to do more than donate.

“My friend, Scott Lambie, announced the launch of Rescue One More and its mission to bring safety, justice, and healing to Ugandan children experiencing sexual abuse,” he recalled. “We had previously worked on several other projects together in Africa, and I immediately wanted to get involved. I joined the Rescue One More board of directors and am now heavily involved with championing children, promoting our programs and developing resources.'

Rescue One More has liberated more than 45 children from sexual abuse and has successfully aided in the arrest of more than 38 abusers… and it is just getting started. They working in partnership with community-based organizations and the Ugandan government to implement a proven approach created by the Children’s Advocacy Center.

The model is centered around establishing Community Action Teams. CATs consist of local law enforcement officers, probation officers, social workers, prosecutors, medical and mental health professionals and church leaders who work together to provide safe shelter, trauma counseling, discipleship, and medical, legal and case management services.

Rescue One More, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a proud member of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.