ABOUT INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION

International Justice Mission (IJM) brings rescue to victims of slavery, sex trafficking and other forms of violent oppression. We work in 16 cities across ten countries around the world to rescue people and help them heal, hold their abusers accountable, and work with communities to help stop violence before it ever begins.

Six IJM field offices are working to rescue women and girls who have been trafficked for sex. Often, traffickers trick these women and girls with promises of good jobs, but then trap them in brothels or bars where they are sold for sex night after night.

We are ready to rescue them and help them on the road to healing—and we need you to help us.

VEATA’S STORY, CAMBODIA

Veata* was trafficked into a brothel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with a guard stationed at the door to watch her and the other girls. As others profited from the abuse she suffered, she could not escape.

But IJM uncovered her terrible imprisonment and worked with the local police to conduct a rescue operation. At 13 years old, Veata was freed. She courageously testified against her abusers, who were sentenced to 16 years in prison, and she began a new life—one a teenage girl should have, full of school, friends and dreams of becoming a travel agent.

“We don’t live under control, abuse and command of other people,” Veata explained. ”We have freedom to learn and to do everything we want and think: that is freedom.”

*Pseudonyms have been used for the protection of these IJM clients.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Our teams are constantly conducting undercover investigations, leading us to find more women and girls who need rescue. We work with local authorities to free them and help them recover with the counseling and care they need. A rescue operation can free one girl or dozens at a time!

This project funds one rescue operation to free women and girls from sex trafficking and provides 20 women with aftercare packages—gifts of clothing, toiletries and small gifts to help survivors live in freedom.

(Special Note: The final rescue operation could take place in any of our of our target cities across India or Southeast Asia where we combat sex trafficking.  Once the project is fully funded, we’ll tell you where and when the next operation happens! Stay tuned through our updates.)

HOW DOES AN IJM RESCUE OPERATION WORK?

1.       The abuse is discovered through IJM undercover investigations or reported to IJM by the government or another local organization.

2.       IJM teams document evidence.

3.       IJM presents proof to local officials and works with them to plan a rescue operation.

4.       IJM and law enforcement rescue the victims, and gather strong evidence to hold the abusers accountable in court so they can’t harm other people.

5.       IJM social workers help comfort and protect survivors right from the moment of rescue so they can begin their journey of healing—and we stay by their side for years.