In our third presentation on the Sex Trafficking trade, we highlight the ministry of the International Justice Mission.

2. It will be a sign and witness to the Lord Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them. - Isaiah 19:20

3. While the sex trafficking issue is enormous, many organizations are rising to the challenge to prevent the continued trade of women and children…

4. In the tradition of abolitionist William Wilberforce and transformational leaders like Mother Theresa and Martin Luther King, Jr., International Justice Mission’s work is founded on the Christian call to justice articulated in the Bible (Isaiah 1:17): Seek justice, protect the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.

5. Historically, humanitarian and missions organizations worked faithfully and courageously to bring healthcare, education, food and other vital services to those who needed them. But little had been done to actually restrain the oppressors who are a source of great harm to the vulnerable.

6. Gary Haugen, working as a lawyer at the U.S. Department of Justice and as the United Nations’ Investigator in Charge in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, founded International Justice Mission as a response to this massive need

7. IJM has four main priorities: One: Victim Relief IJM’s first priority in its casework is immediate relief for the victim of the abuse being committed.

8. Two: Perpetrator Accountability IJM seeks to hold perpetrators accountable for their abuse in their local justice systems. Accountability changes the fear equation: When would-be perpetrators are rightly afraid of the consequences of their abuse, the vulnerable do not need to fear them.

9. Three: Victim Aftercare IJM aftercare staff and trusted local aftercare partners work to ensure that victims of oppression are equipped to rebuild their lives.

10. Four: Structural Change IJM seeks to prevent abuse from being committed against others at risk by strengthening the community factors and local judicial systems that will deter potential oppressors

11. Kunthy was trafficked in to prostitution in Cambodia at age 13. She was held captive in a dilapidated structure the locals called the “Anarchy Building,” where she was raped nightly and routinely beaten, drugged and threatened by the brothel keeper and pimp.

12. Kunthy was discovered through an IJM undercover investigation. After documenting proof of her imprisonment, IJM staff worked with local authorities to ensure her rescue, and pursued the prosecution of the brothel owner and pimp, who were sentenced to 15 and 10 years in prison respectively.

13. Her dream is to own an Internet café and design Web sites for businesses. Right now, she works at a part-time job with a local NGO, attends a computer training school and is thriving in the freedom and security of her transitional home. Today, Kunthy lives in an aftercare home, where she is healing from her abuse in a secure and loving environment.

14. In 2007, 267 people were freed from slavery 207 women and children were freed from forced prostitution and 281 perpetrators were arrested

15. The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land. In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it – one from the house of David – one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness Isaiah 16: 5