International Justice Mission

January is Human Trafficking Awareness month, and we are sharing truths about trafficking all month. Learn some facts that you may now know: https://ow.ly/ttLi50UtOCK #stoptrafficking #endhumantrafficking #untilallarefree

According to a paper by the International Labour Organization, a one-time investment of US$212 billion would be enough to implement key interventions on a scale that could end human trafficking for good. That’s $24 billion less than the human trafficking industry generates every year. But that’s not all. The end of human trafficking means the beginning of freedom, dignity, and flourishing for millions. The paper goes on to show that freeing people from forced labor and giving them legal jobs with fair pay would generate more than $611 billion in additional GDP globally! For Human Trafficking Awareness Month, awareness of the solution is just as important as awareness of the problem. We can end human trafficking in our lifetime. Share with your friends and follow our content throughout the month to learn more about how you can be part of the solution.

Our field office in Romania is celebrating a US$10 million grant awarded to IJM and World Vision to lead a Child Protection Compact in Romania. This grant from the U.S. Department of State will enable IJM to lead a consortium and work with the U.S. and Romanian governments to create a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach to protecting vulnerable children from this pervasive crime. Through this grant, IJM hopes to expand its work to address related crimes that have facilitated a rise in trafficking in the region. By combatting crimes like online grooming, sextortion and the webcam model industry involving minors, our team in Romania is hopeful they can turn the rising tide of trafficking into a rising tide of justice and protection. This wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thank you for giving us a reason to celebrate in 2024!

Our field offices in the Philippines are proudly celebrating National Director Attorney Sam Inocencio, who was selected as a recipient of the 2024 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Hero Award by the U.S. Department of State. This award is the highest honor given by the U.S. government to recognize extraordinary leadership in the fight against trafficking and slavery, and a resounding affirmation of the impact and effectiveness of IJM’s work in the Philippines to protect children from harm. For over 20 years, Atty. Sam has guided the team’s efforts to rescue and restore more than 1,400 children from the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC), forged groundbreaking partnerships with the government, and helped decrease child sex trafficking by more than 77% across three provinces in the Philippines. Under Atty. Sam’s leadership, our team in the Philippines continues to shift the local narrative around trafficking, transforming the country from a hotspot of OSEC into a recognized global leader in combatting the crime. This wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thank you for giving us a reason to celebrate in 2024!

Our field offices in Latin America are celebrating IJM-supported survivors from 15 countries who recently gathered to create a regional movement that combats sexual violence against children. The ‘Brave Movement’ has already made significant progress in protecting children from widespread abuse. They are responsible for the creation of a key report that calls for the elimination of the statute of limitations for cases of sexual violence against children. This report is a crucial piece of advocacy for child survivors who would otherwise never experience justice because of existing laws that prevent legal action for crimes that occurred beyond a certain timeframe. The Brave Movement is just one example of how survivors are coming together to lead us into a future where the safety and protection of vulnerable people is not the exception but the norm. This wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thank you for giving us a reason to celebrate in 2024!

Our field offices in Ghana are cheering on the progress made by local Global Survivor Network (GSN) chapters toward building lasting change in their communities. One GSN chapter called the Courageous Crew has harnessed their experience and influence to end child trafficking in Ghana by launching a campaign that led to six cases being reported on the very first day! The Global Survivor Network is a survivor-led movement with chapters in vulnerable communities all around the world. Through their voices, lived experience and courageous leadership, they are shaping and informing the ways we work to protect people in poverty from violence. This wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thank you for giving us a reason to celebrate in 2024!

Joy* is on a relentless mission. Her fearless advocacy to protect children from the online abuse she suffered has taken her to the UK, Ethiopia, Germany and, last month, the US. She received standing ovations from hundreds and even got a full Texas experience, riding a longhorn cow. Our survivor leaders like Joy*encourage and inspire us daily! #untilallarefree *a pseudonym

Joy* was only 10 years old when she was forced by her aunt to stand in front of a camera and be sexually exploited. Today, Joy stands as a symbol of resilience and courage, working as a licensed social worker and an active member of the Philippine Survivor Network. She travels around the world advocating for justice reforms to protect children in the Philippines. / Will you stand with her? Join the fight. Click the link to become an advocate: https://lnkd.in/dxZ9tenn *a pseudonym

As 2024 comes to an end, we have a bold vision for what we want to accomplish in 2025. But we can’t do it alone. The work of justice requires a level of hope, courage, and determination that can only be achieved as a united global community of advocates. If there's anything we’ve learned throughout our 27 years as an organization, it’s this: When we stand together, justice becomes unstoppable. #untilallarefree

Joy’s* story is one example of how your support impacts real people every day. Since IJM began work in the Philippines, 1,188 victims and at-risk children have been safeguarded from sexual exploitation. But the impact doesn’t stop there. 348 survivors have been restored, 353 suspects have been arrested, and 226 offenders have been convicted. All because of people like you who chose to take a stand. Stand with IJM. Stand for justice. Learn more: https://ow.ly/ktSN50Ugn2Q *pseudonym, subjects depicted are not actual survivors of OSEC