2023 Year in Review

LETTER FROM Gary Haugen

As we move forward toward our goal of protecting 500 million vulnerable people from violence around the world, I’m so grateful for the annual rhythm of our Year in Review. For me, it’s an invitation to celebrate and behold the miraculous work we’ve accomplished together over the past year.

One of the stories we’re most proud to share is of our work in the Dominican Republic. When we first set up an office in 2013, we found that 1 out of every 10 people being exploited was a child, openly sold for sex on the streets. For a decade we worked with local authorities throughout the country to stop this unspeakable violence, and last year outside auditors found that our work led directly to a 78% decrease in the prevalence of child sex trafficking across the country. This means millions of children in the Dominican Republic will never be abused because they are safe now because of your support of our work.

But here’s what makes this story even more miraculous: It's the ninth location where IJM’s programs have drastically reduced violence. Because of your support, we’ve now seen millions of people protected from violence in countries across Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Latin America.

Looking back on the meaningful progress we made together in 2023, I hope you feel as energized as I do to continue pressing forward toward a future where families are no longer torn apart by violence and abuse, children are no longer enslaved, and vulnerable people are no longer trafficked.

Because, if we’ve learned anything in our more than 25 years of experience, it’s that a future of safety and freedom is possible, and that every step we take toward it is worthy of celebration.

Gary Haugen IJM Founder and CEO

LETTER FROM Sharon Cohn Wu

When I joined IJM 20 years ago, we were only a small team of about 40 people. But we didn’t let that discourage us from our goal to protect vulnerable people from violence around the world.

It might have been easier to believe that we were too small to make a difference. But the stakes were too high to let fear prevent us from showing up for those who need protection and deserve to live in freedom.

Instead of looking away, we chose to lean in. And so did you.

You could have ignored that remote village, oceans away, where an entire population lived in slavery for generations. But because you didn’t, every person in that village is free from slavery today (pg. 12).

You could have looked away when online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) became a rampant global crime. But because you didn’t, we are now at the forefront of protecting children from this horrific abuse (pg. 19)

This is what happens when people like you draw near to the difficult work of justice. Yes, the stakes are high, and that can feel overwhelming. But our progress this year alone has made one thing very clear: the arc of the moral universe does bend towards justice. And it’s because of people like you.

Sharon Cohn Wu Regional President, IJM North America

FREE TO LIVE WITHOUT FEAR

Numbers help measure progress and demonstrate the scale of your impact, but they are just the beginning of the story. Behind every number is a real person whose life has completely changed because of people like you.

They are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, friends and neighbors. They are survivors who can now live in freedom, without fear, because they are finally safe.

Lillian, Uganda

SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

“I still thank the Almighty for putting you people on this planet that you should be there for us ”

Ron,* Cambodia

SURVIVOR OF FORCED LABOR

“I’m happy to be back home� I work at home on the farm…With hope, I can move forward ”

Griselda,* Guatemala

SURVIVOR OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE

“My dream would be that so much violence would end, so much inequity, so much injustice ”

Scovia, Uganda

SURVIVOR OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE

“If I could speak to someone who is still out there suffering, I would tell her that justice exists ”

Ruby,* Philippines

SURVIVOR OF OSEC

“I believe that you cannot change the world with just your opinion but with your example, and I want to be that living example I was there too – abused, deprived, and trapped I want those trapped to know there are people like you who won’t give up until they are found�”

Soniya, South Asia

SURVIVOR OF FORCED LABOR

“Right now I am at peace� I am not answerable to anyone, and no one can question me anymore� We are living a life that we love and cherish ”

Mukhi and Sundaram, South Asia

SURVIVORS OF BONDED LABOR

“When I take out the pots for sale, I get to talk to so many people in the community and the neighboring villages There is no one to scold me or stop me It brings me joy when I am able to mentor the new potters in the village and advise them � "

Collins, Kenya

SURVIVOR OF POLICE ABUSE OF POWER

“I want to advocate for all poor people to be protected from violence� I campaign for justice in my community and my country to bring about justice systems that protect everyone in our great nation ”

WHERE WE WORK

We are a global team of lawyers, social workers, community activists and other professionals working in 31 communities across 16 countries to protect people in poverty from violence.

OUR MISSION

Protect vulnerable people from violence by rescuing victims, bringing criminals to justice, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and helping local law enforcement build a safe future that lasts.

OUR VISION

Rescue millions, protect half a billion and make justice unstoppable.

CASEWORK TYPE

Forced Labor Slavery

Sex Trafficking

Violence Against Women and Children

Online Sexual Exploitation of Children

Police Abuse of Power

YOUR GLOBAL IMPACT IN 2023

In 2023, you helped IJM and our partners:

2

10,37 children, women and men from violence

TRAIN

22,197 justice system officials to better protect their communities from violence

CONVICT

1,419 traffickers and abusers in local courts

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RESTORE

243 survivors to safety, stability and strength*

3,143 suspected perpetrators of violence Note: Numbers reflect internal reports as of February 2024 for the calendar year of 2023. *This number represents survivors "fully restored" using IJM's externally validated Assessment of Survivor Outcomes tool. There are thousands more survivors currently receiving support and participating in ongoing aftercare programs.

YOU ENABLED RESCUE

You helped IJM and our partners relieve 10,372 children, women and men from violence.

Children, women and men in vulnerable communities are threatened every day by brutal physical abuse, forced labor, sex trafficking and other forms of extreme violence.

Your support changed that by helping IJM provide the resources and training needed by local authorities to provide rescue and urgent relief to those who need it most.

INDIA

IJM and Indian authorities work together to free 29 children from bag factory

District police and labor officials worked with IJM to rescue 29 children, ages 10-17, from a bag factory, arresting three suspected perpetrators responsible for enslaving them. All 29 children received Release Certificates, legally recognizing and affirming their freedom. The IJM team worked with local officials to ensure every single child could return home.

INDIA

A surprise inspection leads to freedom for 12 young boys forced to make jewelry 12 hours a day

With guidance and training from IJM, the local government in Tamil Nadu conducted a surprise inspection of a jewelry factory leading to the rescue of 12 victims of human trafficking and child bonded labor.

The boys were lured by advance payments of less than $200 USD, then forced to work 12hour days in inhumane conditions. They were given official Release Certificates from the government canceling their debts and stayed at a safe government-run shelter where they received aftercare until authorities arranged their safe return home.

Survivors released from a jewelry factory.

SOUTHEAST ASIA

A new form of trafficking quickly emerges, and IJM is among the first responders to help fight it

Almost overnight, forced scamming has become one of the fastest-growing forms of human trafficking in the world. Vulnerable people in Southeast Asia desperate for a stable income are targeted online by promising job opportunities, only to be trapped in compounds against their will and forced to scam other vulnerable people online. If they don’t comply or fail to meet quotas, they are often beaten, abused and in some cases tortured.

Over 200,000 people are believed to be trapped in forced scamming compounds right now across countries like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines.

Our work to address forced scamming has been featured in international news stories from major news outlets like the BBC, spurring governments across the world to begin working together to combat this new cross-border crime.

In 2023, IJM helped relieve more than 200 individuals from forced scamming within Southeast Asia’s scam compounds.

CAMBODIA

IJM helps rescue 28 victims of forced scamming and arrange their safe return home

When a local IJM partner in Cambodia learned of a group of Indonesians suspected of being trafficked and forced to work at an online scam center, they immediately referred the case to the Indonesian embassy and local police.

This report kickstarted a collaborative, crossborder effort between IJM and several Cambodian and Indonesian authorities to locate and rescue the group. Within two weeks, they were found and rescued and the process of repatriation began.

Survivors told police they were tricked online into traveling to Cambodia for jobs, only to have their passports confiscated upon arrival. They were physically beaten and abused when they didn’t meet scamming quotas or made simple mistakes.

Thanks to IJM's collaborative work with local partners and authorities, not only were victims rescued but also received a range of support like counseling, interpretation services and even food and amenities while waiting for repatriation back home.

Scan the QR code to learn more about forced scamming

This went from what was formerly a nascent industry to what we believe is one of the densest concentrations of forced labor anywhere on the planet.”

— Jacob Sims IJM Senior Technical Advisor on Forced Criminality

YOU ENABLED RESTORATION

You helped IJM and our partners restore 243 survivors to safety, stability and strength

After rescue, healing can begin. With your investment, IJM supports survivors as they set out on the journey of healing. As they experience restoration, they can thrive in their communities and become influential voices leading the fight against violence.

Survivors are leading a global movement to stop slavery and violence once and for all

Nobody knows more about what survivors need than survivors themselves. That’s why survivor voices are crucial to creating sustainable change. As IJM partners with aftercare workers, social services and governments to serve and care for victims, survivors are the experts shaping the path forward.

Global Survivor Network

Inspiring governments to own the protection of their communities

Survivors are the experts, and the Global Survivor Network (GSN) is their platform to influence lasting change on a global scale. Today, there are active GSN chapters in 10 countries around the world shaping government policy and IJM’s own aftercare programs. This is what survivor leadership looks like. GLOBAL

INDIA

A village once enslaved demonstrates the power of healing in community

For over three decades, an entire village called Amaragiri was enslaved by local businessmen who trapped them all in false debt. This small fishing town of about 100 people were forced to work and give almost all their earnings to the men who enslaved them in bonded labor.

When IJM’s local partner discovered the crime and reported it to authorities, the government at first doubted that this could be happening. But after continued advocacy, they intervened. Authorities issued Release Certificates to all villagers in 2016, formally acknowledging their freedom from any false debts.

Today the village is thriving, and recently celebrated seven years of freedom. IJM’s local partner educated community leaders on their legal rights, including government resources available to them, to ensure that they would never be exploited again. Families now fish to earn income for themselves, children attend school, and neighbors support each other’s needs. Under the protection of the government, Amaragiri has become a place where survivors flourish in safety.

Child survivors are reminded they are “More than Conquerors” at survivor-led retreat

A retreat hosted by IJM and local partner Paz Y Esperanza welcomed 10 child survivors to participate in a week of hope, healing and transformation. The children, ranging from 1o to 18 years old, played games and made crafts to help provide them with peer support and social integration.

To teach the children to channel their pain to develop strength and resilience, a leader from the GSN chapter in Bolivia shared her own story of transformation. IJM will continue to work with GSN chapters and local partners to host these gatherings to strengthen community-based protection and ensure that children receive the support needed to avoid re-victimization.

PERU

Survivors of Amaragari Village

YOU ENABLED JUSTICE

You helped IJM and our partners restrain 3,143 suspected perpetrators of violence and convict 1,419 criminals in local courts.

Because of you, IJM helped protect vulnerable people from exploitation by ensuring local governments could enforce laws to hold perpetrators accountable, deter violence and make communities safer.

INDIA

Violent traffickers sentenced to life as India affirms commitment to protect victims of trafficking

Most people believe bonded labor stopped when it was outlawed by the Indian government in 1976. But some traffickers ignored the law and continued to exploit people for cheap, dangerous labor. When a violent trafficking case made headlines, local courts responded with the full force of the law.

In 2016, eight traffickers were sentenced to life in prison after they chopped off the hands of two victims who tried to escape. The brutality of the incident brought national attention to the reality that people were still being exploited today.

The life sentences were the longest ever delivered in an Indian bonded labor case. When the traffickers attempted to appeal the verdict in 2023, the High Court responded by saying there would be “no leniency in punishment” for those who committed such violent crimes — both a reassurance to potential future victims and a stern warning to other traffickers.

UGANDA

A 14-year-old

survivor

bravely stands up to the Army officer who assaulted her

Hana* was only a teenager when a military officer who knew the family exploited their trust and sexually assaulted her several times. When the family bravely reported the crime, the accused officer resisted arrest and drew a gun at the police investigating him.

Despite his intimidation tactics, IJM investigators worked with local authorities to support Hana’s case and ensure the perpetrator would not escape justice. He was soon arrested, charged in court and sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Following the verdict, IJM Uganda Legal Coordinator Florence Lora Atim said “I believe this sentence will send a strong message out to the community that abuse of children is a crime.”

With the support of IJM Uganda, Hana was courageous and determined to undertake the justice journey.”

— Florence Lora Atim IJM Uganda Legal Coordinator

ROMANIA

UK and Romanian authorities work with IJM to prevent trafficker's escape

When Mara* was a teenager, she fell in love with a man from the UK she met online. She left her home in Romania to start a relationship with him, but the man manipulated her feelings to groom her and traffic her for sex.

When Mara finally escaped and reached out to the police, the perpetrator tried to flee. But thanks to growing collaboration between Romanian and UK authorities, he was caught.

IJM supported Mara with legal assistance, transportation and other practical needs so she could testify in court. Her testimony led to three traffickers being found guilty. As IJM continues to strengthen cross-border cooperation, more perpetrators who traffic women from Romania will be held accountable and women like Mara will become less vulnerable.

YOU ENABLED COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION

You helped IJM train 40,403 justice system officials and community members to actively address cases of violence.

IJM helps transform communities by providing resources and training to local partners, government authorities and law enforcement, working collaboratively with them until they are empowered to protect their own people.

MALAYSIA

IJM helps equip 180 local officials to provide victims of trafficking with trauma-informed care

Law enforcement officers and public prosecutors from six different departments and agencies in Malaysia came together for a comprehensive training session on the importance of a victimcentered approach to combating trafficking.

Law enforcement officials are typically trained to arrest perpetrators, but rescuing victims requires additional skills to ensure they feel safe, protected and cared for.

A holistic approach to justice system strengthening ensures that rescue operations and arrests are all done with equal consideration for the health and well-being of the victim.

ROMANIA

IJM and the Government of Romania host conference to unify European response against human trafficking

To improve measures to combat human trafficking across Europe, IJM worked with the Government of Romania to bring together high-ranking leaders from across the continent for an international conference.

IJM CEO Gary Haugen gathered with the US ambassador, the Romanian prime minister and other high-profile attendees around a common objective: combating cross-border human trafficking and finding solutions to incriminate the demand and combat human trafficking facilitated by technology.

The conference helped reinforce a high level of trust in IJM as expert partners and leaders in the fight against trafficking and encourage stronger cross-border networks that will one day help bring an end to trafficking in Europe.

The Community Ecosystem

Communities function like an ecosystem. In order to thrive, the people and groups within it must work together in harmony and fulfill the roles they were designed to play. When essential parts of the community don’t have the resources or ability to fulfill their roles, the ecosystem is thrown off balance and the entire community suffers.

But when those essential roles are given the resources needed to function well, the entire community transforms as it begins to heal.

GUATEMALA

IJM trains 135 healthcare workers to provide critical care to victims of violence

Healthcare workers play a crucial role in both identifying cases and assisting victims of violence against women and children. IJM helped train physicians, nurses, advocates, psychologists and social workers to provide trauma-informed care to victims they encounter.

With this training, healthcare workers are better equipped to identify cases and interact with victims, as well as avoid re-traumatization while providing services.

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YOU ENABLED PROTECTION

When laws are enforced, violence plummets. Every time.

IJM’s 26 years of experience have shown us that violence thrives in places where laws are not properly enforced to hold perpetrators accountable, deter crime and protect the most vulnerable people in the community.

But when justice thrives, the roles are reversed and violence drops by a life-changing degree. Within the last decade, IJM has concluded nine justice strengthening programs in different regions around the world. And externally verified data revealed that these projects have reduced slavery and violence between 50% and 85%. The result is that more than 10 million people in poverty are now drastically less likely to ever experience violence.

Slavery And Violence Reduction

And we’re not done yet. IJM’s teams around the world have a plan to expand this protection to millions more vulnerable people. We’ve identified 46 new regions where drastic reductions in violence are possible, with the potential to protect 490 million more people from slavery and abuse.

Uganda

Cebu Cambodia Manila Mumbai

Kolkata Tamil Nadu Pampanga Dominican Republic

IJM helps reduce child sex trafficking by 78% in the Dominican Republic

When IJM’s office in the Dominican Republic first opened in 2013, children were openly trafficked in the streets, on public beaches and in parks because traffickers had no fear of ever getting caught.

Today that no longer happens. Perpetrators are too scared to traffic children, because law enforcement now has the training and resources needed to enforce local laws effectively. More children are being rescued and more perpetrators are being arrested and convicted for trafficking than ever before.

As a result, child sex trafficking across the country has been measurably reduced by 78%. That means more than 340,000 children in the Dominican Republic are now safe from ever being trafficked in the first place.

IJM’s work to strengthen the local justice system is the most recent of nine programs to successfully and sustainably protect vulnerable people from violence at scale.

The story behind the impact numbers from IJM’s work in the DR is similar to the eight successful programs that preceded it – a fundamental shift in culture. Traffickers are now afraid of consequences. During a recent study, undercover investigators posed as customers to see if they could purchase a minor for sex. One trafficker replied, "That’s not allowed. The police will arrest you." Another trafficker responded, "It can't be done there."

Scan the QR code to learn more

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YOU ENABLED A GLOBAL MOVEMENT OF JUSTICE

You helped enable a global movement of justice by making the problem of violence impossible to ignore.

Your advocacy helps people in places of power and influence take notice of human trafficking and slavery. And when governments, corporations and public figures begin to lend their resources to the fight, justice can scale to protect people even faster than before.

THE PHILIPPINES

A groundbreaking new study from IJM sparks global conversation about online sexual exploitation of children

Online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) is one of the hardest crimes to detect, meaning it’s also one of the hardest to stop. Without a clear picture of how widespread OSEC is, it’s impossible to know whether progress is being made to stop it. This year, your support helped bridge that gap. Together with Nottingham Rights Lab, IJM released the Scale of Harm study that for the first time helps authorities better understand how perpetrators operate, how many children are at risk and how we can create a plan to end it for good.

The study revealed that in 2022 alone, 1 in 100 Filipino children were sexually exploited in livestreams to create new abuse images and videos in the Philippines, driven by foreign demand.

These findings are a groundbreaking major step towards ensuring all children in the Philippines are no longer in danger of sexual exploitation. With more information in front of us, advocacy groups and government leaders are in a better position to urge the passing of online legislation to protect children in places like Europe, the U.K., the US and Canada where demand is generated.

GSN leader Vanessa Bautista and Executive Director of IJM's OSEC Center John Tanagho testifying before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance.

United Way and IJM join forces to fight human trafficking in Ghana

Recognizing a shared vision of creating community-based solutions to fight human trafficking in Ghana, IJM and United Way began working together on “The Anti-Child Trafficking Project.” This initiative supports Ghana’s Global Survivor Network (GSN) chapter by providing comprehensive trainings on self-empowerment, human trafficking and the law, advocacy and the power of storytelling, public speaking and more.

Jerry, the president of a GSN chapter in Ghana called the “Courageous Crew”, put the training he received to immediate use. When he received a call from a man who feared his two young children were being trafficked to work on Lake Volta, Jerry took what he learned and acted without hesitation.

Along with other Courageous Crew members, Jerry intercepted the children being trafficked at a local bus stop and contacted the police. Today, instead of performing life-threatening tasks on the lake, they are collecting their school supplies and uniforms in anticipation for school.

USA

Advocates from across 30 states gather and urge congress to fight online child abuse

Advocacy is the reason behind so many bills that have been passed to help protect vulnerable people. At IJM’s most recent Advocacy Summit, people from more than 30 states joined together and urged policymakers to support a bipartisan bill called the EARN IT Act.

If passed, the bill will put pressure on companies to create safer online environments for children and help bring an end to OSEC. Those who attended the summit spent the first day training and preparing for meetings with congressional offices.

The following day, over 130 congressional offices heard firsthand from advocates about the problem of OSEC and why the EARN IT Act must urgently be enacted to protect children.

Airbnb

and IJM

team up to help keep people safe both online and within the walls of shared spaces

IJM supports Airbnb's Trust & Safety Advisory Council to increase the safety of their platform for travelers and hosts, highlighting the importance of collaboration to ensure technology can't be used to facilitate trafficking.

GHANA

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

It takes a village to protect the world’s most vulnerable people from violence. Here’s how we work together as a beautiful, diverse global community to play our own unique roles working towards a unified goal.

Richard and Jane Spalholz

Ashleigh Becker

“I started fundraising for IJM Romania in 2021 through Sela Designs, a nonprofit jewelry company that is focused heavily on ending human trafficking. When asked if I’d like to go to Romania in 2023 and meet IJM’s team on the ground, it was an easy yes. That experience was life changing for me.”

“After learning of the terrible forms of injustice against the most vulnerable, my wife and I knew we had to get involved. It’s a joy for us to give a percentage of our estate assets to IJM, knowing the funds will be used to benefit "the least of these.” Naming IJM in your estate plan will leave a lasting impression among your loved ones about what you valued.”

Ramelia Williams

“I have always known our leaders are elected to hear and share our concerns for justice on the Hill. But after attending the IJM Advocacy Summit, I felt like I should have been doing this all my life! Meeting with elected officials was such a comfortable, amazing opportunity to share the passions of our hearts and believe justice is possible simply by using our collective voice.”

Paul and Mirjami Bergman

“It’s been such a blessing supporting IJM for over 20 years. After learning from Planned Giving Director Chuck Day about how to be more strategic with our giving, we set up our donor-advised fund. We are continually impressed by IJM's transforming work and this is an easy way to give monthly donations while enjoying tax benefits along the way!”

Chad Gardner Kings Kaleidoscope

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with International Justice Mission and their work to bring rescue and restoration to vulnerable people. This helps us fulfill our obligation to use the resources available to help others and make the world a better place.”

Brian and Vivian Pierce

“About ten years ago we first heard Gary convey the problem of violence against the poor and we joined IJM as Freedom Partners. Over the past decade we were convicted by the gravity of slavery, persuaded by the effectiveness of IJM's solution, and inspired by the dedication of the staff. Attending Cornerstone and participating in the Venture Council has shown us how encouraging it is to engage with other believers in a worthy cause and how God can use us where we are to further His mission.”

WAYS TO GIVE

IJM is grateful for the generosity of our donors. In addition to cash, check or online donations, we also accept gifts of non-cash assets which include stock, bonds, real estate and more. Here are a few giving options:

ONLINE

Give safely, instantly and conveniently online at IJM.org

STOCK & OTHER NON-CASH ASSETS

Potentially save on income tax and capital gains tax with a gift of stock, publicly traded securities and cryptocurrency at Legacy.IJM.org

PEER TO PEER

Invite your community to be a part of the work of justice through group led initiatives IJM.org/justicebox

DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS

Make tax-wise gifts through a charitable giving account at IJM.org/daf

EMPLOYER MATCHING GIFT

Request your employer to match your gift and double or triple your impact at IJM.org/Company-Match

BY MAIL

Please send your check to:

International Justice Mission PO Box 96961

Washington, DC 20090-6961

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION

PO Box 2227

Arlington, VA 22202

T 844.422.5878

F 703.465.5499

IJM.org

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION is a global organization that protects people in poverty from violence. IJM partners with local authorities in 31 program offices in 16 countries to combat slavery, violence against women and children, and other forms of abuse against people who are poor. IJM works to rescue and restore victims, hold perpetrators accountable, and help strengthen public justice systems. Learn more at: IJM.org

All text and images © 2024 International Justice Mission.