The Future of Freedom is in Our Hands
Over the last 27 years, you have helped IJM bring freedom to nearly half a million children, women and men. This is the most dramatic documented reduction in slavery and violence the world has seen since the Emancipation Proclamation over 150 years ago.
As extraordinary as that sounds, this transformational impact is even more astounding to witness in person.
I’ve walked through neighborhoods that have been completely transformed by the protection they now receive from justice systems that IJM has strengthened. The same streets where children were openly sold for sex in brothels and bars are now lined with markets and family homes. I have met lawyers, social workers and church leaders who we rescued out of slavery when they were kids. Now they lead the fight for justice in their communities. In fact, the sous chef at the hotel where I recently stayed in Mumbai was rescued by IJM from a brothel when she was a child.
This kind of transformation can be seen in every region where IJM has completed projects to strengthen justice systems. This shows us, unequivocally, that we have in our hands a proven solution for ending the slavery and violence that terrifies hundreds of millions of people around the world. Now it’s up to us to be good stewards of this extraordinary opportunity.
As I look back at all we’ve accomplished together in 2024, it’s clear to me that nobody is better equipped for this task than the people you help support every day. Our global staff, local partners, survivor leaders and government collaborators are some of the most talented, qualified and passionate advocates of justice in the world. And year after year, you, our generous and faithful supporters, show up to make all of their work possible.
I am grateful you have chosen to partner with us to build a world where those once vulnerable to violence can now flourish in freedom.
On behalf of all those who are free today because of you—thank you.
Gary Haugen IJM Founder and CEO
FREE TO LIVE WITHOUT FEAR
The impact of your generosity means more than numbers on a page. Behind every statistic is a story of courage, resilience, hope and transformation. Meet some of the survivors who are free today because of you.
Khemraj, India
SURVIVOR OF BONDED LABOR
"Today I am free That is why I am happy and content My children and I are living happily, working with joy, doing things we like, living as per our will, and we will continue to do better�"
Mara*, Romania
SURVIVOR OF SEX TRAFFICKING
"[IJM] encouraged me, helped me with my daughter and gave me the strength to go ahead "
Alice, Uganda
SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
"IJM opened my mind to many things At the time I felt I was alone, they showed me that I have strength, to survive even on my own � "
Sreyda*, Cambodia
SURVIVOR OF FORCED LABOR
"I'm grateful for this second chance at life With my small contributions, I hope to help others by educating them about safe migration, reporting abuse, and seeking assistance�"
Joy*, Philippines
SURVIVOR OF ONLINE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
" We need more people in the fight to end the online sexual exploitation of children Perpetrators are powerful But you are powerful, too, and we are more powerful together� We need you � "
Marta, Guatemala
SURVIVOR OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
"I used to be told that I was worthless, but now I know my worth! I am valuable�"
John Atelu, Kenya
SURVIVOR OF POLICE ABUSE OF POWER
“ I’ve learned that resilience is not just about surviving; it’s about thriving Our story may have begun in suffering, but it has transformed into one of hope and renewal "
Satyaban & Budha, India
SURVIVORS OF BONDED LABOR
" My family is my driving force� I wish to provide them with all that is possible and never let any harm befall them "
*a pseudonym
WHERE WE WORK
We are a global team of lawyers, social workers, community activists and other professionals working in 33 communities across 19 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.
GHANA
HONDURAS
GUATEMALA
EL SALVADOR
COLOMBIA
BOLIVIA
PERU
CASEWORK TYPE
Forced Labor Slavery
Sex Trafficking Violence Against Women and Children
Online Sexual Exploitation of Children
Police Abuse of Power
KENYA
ROMANIA
INDIA
MYANMAR
THAILAND
CAMBODIA
PHILIPPINES
MALAYSIA
INDONESIA
UGANDA
BULGARIA
BANGLADESH
THE IMPACT OF YOUR SUPPORT
In 1997, we were told it would be impossible to rescue even one child from a brothel. Since then, IJM has brought freedom to nearly half million children, women and men suffering from violence, and protected over 10 million people from ever experiencing abuse and exploitation in the first place.
IN 2024:
3,597 children, women and men freed from violence
230 survivors restored through critical support and aftercare*
43,590 local officials and community members trained to better protect their communities and care for survivors
THE IMPACT OF PROTECTION
2,988 suspected traffickers and abusers restrained from committing acts of violence as a result of strengthened justice systems
380,000
fewer people were in bonded labor in Tamil Nadu, India where IJM concluded a successful project in 2021 (read more on page 17)
Note: Numbers reflect internal reports as of March 2025 for the calendar year of 2024. *This number represents survivors "fully restored" using IJM's externally validated Assessment of Survivor Outcomes tool (see page 11). There are thousands more survivors currently receiving support and participating in ongoing aftercare programs. **To protect survivors, we have included photos that do not depict actual victims where appropriate. Consent gathered for all images.
FREEDOM
IJM works with local partners and authorities to rescue children, women and men from violent abuse and exploitation.
Six victims of bonded labor brought to freedom through consecutive rescue operations
With support from local IJM partners, the Tamil Nadu government led three back-to-back rescue operations that brought freedom to six victims of bonded labor. Three of the victims were rescued from a brick kiln, two from a duck farm and one from a goat farm. All of them received Release Certificates and have begun their journeys of restoration.
Release Certificates
A Release Certificate is a government-issued document that formally clears bonded laborers of false debts and legally affirms their freedom�
INDONESIA
A forced scamming victim’s courage leads to his rescue
When Rudi*, a talented graphic designer from Indonesia, accepted a promising job offer in the Philippines, he had no way of knowing he was being deceived and trafficked. When he arrived, his passport was confiscated, and he was forced to scam people out of money online.
While trapped in an apartment compound, Rudi and his colleagues devised an escape plan. They managed to contact the Indonesian Embassy, leading to a police raid of the building. Local authorities relied on an IJM partner in the Philippines to help transport Rudi and several other victims to safety. When Rudi returned home, IJM Indonesia supported him in providing eyewitness testimony in court.
*a pseudonym
INDIA
Stock image
A mother reunites with her sons thanks to a survivor-led awareness campaign
During a community outreach event, members of a Global Survivor Network chapter in Ghana went knocking on doors to educate locals about trafficking. A woman they met shared that she sent her two children to work with a fisherman, and in return was promised they would be enrolled in school. When she learned they were being mistreated, the fisherman refused to let her bring them home.
The survivor leaders connected the mother with IJM, who worked with local police to rescue her boys and arrest two suspects in the case.
Global Survivor Network
In 2019, IJM launched the Global Survivor Network (GSN), an international group of more than 4,000 survivors from 12 countries who are shaping and leading a movement to protect people from violence�
GHANA
Stock image
RESTORATION
When victims of violence are brought to safety, IJM works with partners to help survivors receive the critical support needed to heal and reintegrate safely back into society.
From bonded labor to business owners: seven survivors craft new lives in freedom
Udayonmukha Handicrafts is a survivor-led business launched to help other survivors earn a steady and reliable income through dignified work.
The business employs seven survivors who craft jewelry, household textiles, laptop bags, scented candles and other goods. With IJM’s help, the business actively works with local organizations and government agencies to create business opportunities and host skill development workshops. Recently, government officials ordered 250 laptop bags to encourage the survivors’ artistry and celebrate their skills.
All profits are divided among the artisans, with a small percentage set aside to help support the rehabilitation and empowerment of other survivors in their community.
Assessment of Survivor Outcomes
IJM’s aftercare teams use a resource called the Assessment of Survivor Outcomes (ASO) to measure a survivor’s progress towards restoration. This IJM-built tool sets the standard for determining improvement in a survivor’s ability to live in freedom without fear of being trafficked again.
INDIA
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Free to be Me follows the story of a child trafficking survivor and her reunion with the IJM staff member who coordinated her rescue
IJM partner Bloom Asia has released a documentary that tells Nary’s story of restoration after being trafficked at a young age. The film captures Nary’s heartfelt reunion with Sharon Cohn Wu, IJM's Regional President of North America, who was central to her rescue.
Of her experience reconnecting with Nary, Cohn Wu says, “It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY FOR FREE
KENYA
After
his
wrongful imprisonment, a survivor of police violence receives life-changing restitution
Just two weeks into Collins’ new job as a night guard, he overheard an argument between some other guards and a police officer. When he went to investigate, the police arrested him and charged him with a crime he didn’t commit.
With IJM’s support, Collins spent years fighting the charges until he was acquitted and awarded compensation in 2017. But systemic barriers in the legal system prevented Collins from receiving that money for years.
More than a decade after his wrongful imprisonment, Collins finally received the compensation he was owed.
“Receiving my compensation validated my suffering and provided a financial means to rebuild my life,” he recently told IJM.
Collins is now a leader in his local Global Survivor Network chapter, passionately advocating for justice in his community. He has invested his restitution money into constructing rental homes, hoping to generate a reliable income for his family throughout the coming years.
JUSTICE SYSTEM STRENGTHENING
IJM trains justice system officials to enforce laws more effectively and prevent violence from happening in the first place.
CÔTE D'IVOIRE
IJM, NCMEC and Meta partner to protect children online
IJM joined the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Meta and several other public and private organizations to lead a five-day law enforcement training session in Côte d'Ivoire.
NCMEC's CyberTipline is the world’s leading reporting mechanism for public and electronic service providers to report instances of suspected child exploitation. But the volume of reports is so
high that law enforcement can’t act fast enough to effectively access, assess and act on them.
In response, this highly collaborative session aimed to build the capacity of police in identifying offenders and protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation online. Previous trainings in Kenya and Nigeria have already led to improvements in justice system responses.
PERU
More than
250 police
attend workshops on how to provide trauma-informed support for child victims of violence
Children who have experienced the trauma of sexual or physical violence require sensitive and appropriate care. Through a series of workshops, IJM Peru collaborated with the Peruvian Police Division for the Protection of Children and Adolescents to train more than 250 officers on how to serve children who have experienced violence.
The workshops used interactive, practical and dynamic methodology to enhance the capability of police officers to protect and provide sensitive care for children and adolescents who are seeking help at police stations.
The sessions were conducted by peers who had been previously trained, giving facilitators the opportunity to reinforce their knowledge and strengthen their leadership skills.
BANGLADESH IJM trains over 50 police officers to combat human trafficking
IJM’s newest field office in Bangladesh has already made meaningful progress to combat human trafficking in the region. Together with the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP), IJM led a 10-day program that trained more than 50 police officers on responding to human trafficking and victim care and management.
This collaborative training program established IJM among local authorities as a credible expert on human trafficking and a trusted collaborator.
COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION
As local authorities become more effective and confident protectors of their communities, a new precedent of justice is established. Perpetrators are held accountable, crime is deterred and daily life becomes safer.
HONDURAS
Local partner secures its first conviction in a case of sexual abuse against a minor, proving empowered communities can be agents of change
After just one full year of collaboration between IJM’s local partner Centro de Desarrollo Humano (CDH) and an Indigenous community, justice has been served for a child in a rural community in Honduras. A man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for sexually assaulting his 13-yearold niece, Emma*.
When Emma and her mother reached out to a neighbor for help, the neighbor knew exactly what to do. She had previously done community work with CDH and connected Emma and her mother with a CDH-trained community advocate. The advocate helped them file a complaint, seek legal advice and provided emotional support through the trial.
This sentencing shows that when communities are empowered with knowledge to stand against violence, and when local organizations are equipped to support people, aggressors are stopped, women and children receive justice and other potential aggressors are deterred.
THAILAND
Trafficker sentenced to 30 years in IJM’s first forced scamming conviction
In close collaboration with the local government, IJM secured its first conviction in a forced scamming case.
The trafficker was convicted of several crimes, including conspiring in human trafficking and forced labor of minors and was ordered to serve more than 30 years in prison and pay fines worth $42,000 USD. Trafficking sentences exceeding 30 years are rare in Thailand.
For the four Thai citizens who sued the trafficker, the court’s verdict marked justice and safety. For criminals across Thailand, this conviction sent a clear message: trafficking people for forced scamming is a serious crime that merits serious consequences.
PHILIPPINES
Supreme Court affirms woman’s conviction, sending strong message of justice to would-be perpetrators
The Supreme Court of the Philippines has upheld the strong sentencing of a woman who livestreamed the sexual abuse of her six-year-old niece.
The perpetrator will spend up to 40 years in prison after IJM worked with local officials to bring her to justice. The Supreme Court denied her appeal to reverse her sentence sending a forceful message to perpetrators across the country.
“Serious legal consequences await anyone who sexually abuses and exploits children online. May this conviction, and the many others achieved in the past, remind would-be perpetrators that the Philippine criminal justice system does not take lightly this grave offense against our precious children,” said a local prosecutor.
Stats on the Philippines
Together with Philippine authorities, IJM has seen more than:
1,335
244 victims and children-at-risk brought to safety suspected perpetrators apprehended perpetrators convicted
417
THE PATHWAY TO
If rescue is a candle in the dark, protection is the rising sun at dawn. IJM exists to stop the violence that consumes vulnerable communities. While sending urgent rescue to those who need it most is essential to our work, protection is vital to stopping this abuse entirely. That’s why IJM is equipping local justice systems to protect future generations from ever experiencing harm in the first place.
PHASE 1: ASSESS
• Identify communities where people in poverty experience violence.
• Ensure local governments are open to collaborating with IJM to stop it.
• Assemble local teams to foster relationships, evaluate the community’s needs and start building solutions.
IJM BEGAN WORK IN TAMIL NADU IN 2001
South Asia has the largest number of people in bonded labor. Traffickers target vulnerable individuals in urgent need to trap them in an endless cycle of false debt. The government in Tamil Nadu showed a willingness to address this crime within their community.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
PHASE 2: PARTNER
• Establish trust with government authorities and build relationships with local partners.
• Collaborate on projects that reveal justice system weaknesses that prevent laws from being enforced effectively.
• Strengthen the areas we identified to build a strong justice system that lasts.
In Tamil Nadu, IJM collaborated with local authorities and partners to build the capacity of law enforcement officers to recognize human trafficking, bring relief to victims and prosecute criminals.
To date, IJM has drastically and measurably reduced violence in nine different regions. But the work is far from over. We have identified many more regions where justice system strengthening projects could protect hundreds of millions of vulnerable people. And the only way forward is alongside people like you.
TO PROTECTION
PHASE 3: EVALUATE
• Continue collaborative projects to build justice system capacity.
• Collect data that determines the success of justice system transformation, including whether we built community confidence and reliance, and reduced violence.
IJM’s collaboration with the government from 2001 to 2021 helped free 8,000 children, women and men from bonded labor. IJM also trained 50,000 government officials, police, prosecutors, judges and other community members to better enforce laws and protect vulnerable people from bonded labor slavery.
PHASE 4: EMPOWER
• Publish data that proves violence has been drastically reduced.
• Ensure government and local partners are equipped to sustainably protect their communities on their own.
• Conclude the project—and celebrate!
In 2022, external evaluators documented an 82% relative reduction in bonded labor within Tamil Nadu. Based on this reduction, we estimate that there are 380,000 fewer people in this form of modern slavery. The project is now completed and we are working to replicate its success.
In December 2023, IJM began Phase 1 of a new program in Bangladesh. Our team is now working with government agencies and local partners to study the current state of human trafficking and design an impactful program to rescue victims, bring criminals to justice, restore survivors and strengthen the justice system.
GLOBAL MOVEMENT OF JUSTICE
Corporations, governments, non-profit organizations and community groups from all around the world are working together to stop violence before it starts.
ROMANIA
IJM awarded grant to combat child trafficking in Romania
IJM and World Vision were awarded a $10 million Child Protection Compact grant by the U.S. Department of State to combat child trafficking in Romania. This historic, five-year partnership was developed jointly by the United States government, the Romanian government and civil society organizations grouped in two consortiums under IJM and World Vision.
U NITED STATES OF AMERICA
IJM applauds bipartisan child online safety legislation
In 2023, attendees of IJM’s Advocacy Summit met with U.S. House and Senate offices to promote bipartisan policies to end online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC). In 2024, several policies ultimately passed Congress as the Revising Existing Procedures On Reporting via Technology (REPORT) Act.
As the first major U.S. child online safety bill signed into law in decades, the REPORT Act requires online service providers to submit reports of suspected crimes against children and gives law enforcement much-needed time to triage and respond to reports.
PHILIPPINES
IJM Philippines leader receives highest anti-trafficking award from U.S. government
IJM’s Attorney Samson Inocencio, who serves as National Director of IJM Philippines and Regional Vice President of IJM’s Program Against Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC), has been recognized as a 2024 Trafficking In Persons (TIP) Report Hero. Following in the footsteps of IJM founder and CEO Gary Haugen, Attorney Sam is the second IJM staff member to receive this award.
For over 20 years, Attorney Sam has guided the team’s efforts to rescue and restore more than 1,300 children from OSEC, forging groundbreaking partnerships with the government and helping decrease child sex trafficking by more than 70% across three provinces in the Philippines!
The Department of State honors a group of individuals as TIP Report Heroes for their transformative work in the crucial endeavor to end human trafficking. This is the highest honor given by the U.S. government for anti-slavery leadership around the world.
90% of IJM program staff are local leaders working to establish sustainable justice in their country
JUSTICE IS FUELED BY PEOPLE LIKE YOU
Matt and Leslee Holliday
MLB Athlete Family with IJM's Team Freedom and Dressember Advocate
“We have been longtime supporters of IJM and were excited to use our platform in the sports world to make a tangible difference. Seeing the collective effort was powerful— and I’m fired up to do it again next year!”
Craig and Carmen Curtiss
Donor-Advised Funds Donors
“We learned about IJM’s work through Christianity Today—we’re grateful to be supporting it for 25 years now. We were drawn to IJM because of the work they do for human trafficking, and how they work so hard all around the world to rescue and protect people. We trust them.”
Ryne and Alyssa Pruitt
Freedom Partners
“Our children have grown through praying for those who are suffering around the world. We also spend time as a family rejoicing over those who have been set free! We are grateful to have even a small part of being the hands and feet of Jesus in this world.”
Carson and Taylor Radke
Committee Members for IJM’s Dallas Justice Gathering
“Before 2018, we were largely unaware of the global scope of human trafficking. After being introduced to IJM and learning about their Christ-centered, holistic approach, our eyes were opened to the massive need for justice. Learning more deeply about IJM’s methodology and effectiveness at Cornerstone further solidified our passionate support of this mission.”
Todd and Grace Kvamme
Corporate Giving Advocate at Google, Bay Area Volunteer Leaders and IJM Venture Council Members
“Our most meaningful moments have been going to the field offices to meet staff and survivors and using our talents and network to further the cause. One team, one fight!”
Dillon and Abbi Radunz
NFL Athlete Family with IJM’s Team Freedom
“I have always had an instinct to protect. Being able to see how IJM does that for kids is a huge motivator for us and why we are a part of this work.”
COURAGE FOR THE ROAD AHEAD
Each year, I find the Year in Review to be a welcome opportunity to celebrate our wins and gather courage and confidence for the road ahead. Because as much as we’ve accomplished together, our work is far from over.
Thankfully, I’ve found there’s absolutely no shortage of these qualities among the people at IJM whom you faithfully support through your partnership.
Early last year, I caught up with two colleagues in Bangladesh who had been with IJM for more than a decade. Over the course of a few hours, they described the violence encountered by vulnerable girls and the acute needs in the community. But we also recounted how it was in precisely these situations over the years that we have seen hope and freedom prevail. After more than ten years of this work, they consider it a joy to keep showing up day after day. Their courage is contagious.
This contagious spirit is embodied by all our field staff and partners around the world. They’ve
rescued children from brothels, empowered survivors to become entrepreneurs and enabled communities to flourish by dramatically reducing violence. And they couldn’t have done it without you.
We are sure to face even greater challenges ahead challenges that will require more courage than any individual person can give. This applies as much to our personal lives as it does to the work of justice. But when I see the courage and determination of our staff and those who faithfully support them, I am reminded that we are not alone.
As we stand shoulder to shoulder in this good and great fight, may we all continue to borrow courage from one another to persevere with faithful obedience on the long road of justice.
Until all are free,
Sharon Cohn Wu Regional President, IJM North America
WAYS TO GIVE
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION
PO Box 90580
Washington, D.C. 20090
T 844.422.5878
F 703.465.5499
IJM.org
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.
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION is a global organization that protects people in poverty from violence. IJM partners with local authorities in 33 communities across 19 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 © 2025 International Justice Mission
