WASHINGTON, DC – The International Justice Mission (IJM) is a faith-based organization whose goal is to rescue innocent people from the curse of human trafficking and the bondage of slavery in our lifetime. That is a lofty goal for a single organization, but IJM’s accomplishments are not achieved in isolation. Winning this war takes the cooperative efforts of governments, NGOs, and corporate participants who are willing to do whatever it takes to free human trafficking victims and shut down the multi-billion dollar industry that preys on the poor and the weak.

At the very moment you are reading this article, there are more than 40 million people trapped in the bondage of slavery around the world. One out of every four victims is a child who has been deceived or kidnapped and has no ability to or means of escape.

“Children and adults trapped in slavery face physical, verbal, and sexual abuse daily, and cannot leave to find other work or protect their families. In IJM’s cases, we have met enslaved people who report being beaten, gang-raped, locked in tiny rooms, starved, and even forced to witness murder.”

The scourge continues because the $150 billion “industry” turns a generous profit for those involved. The engines that drive the industry range from the purveyors of sexual exploitation to leaders of businesses who are willing to employ extreme measures to produce goods as cheaply as possible to trade in world markets. Their purposes range from the immoral to the amoral, with the accumulation of wealth as their primary objective.

Nations around the globe are under pressure to implement legislation that specifically brands human trafficking as illegal. But there is a huge gap between the existence of a law and the enforcement of it. In many, many cases, law enforcement agencies are either unable or unwilling to deal with the problem.

The International Justice Mission partners with local authorities to rescue victims of violence, bring criminals to justice, restore survivors, and repair gaps in the justice systems. Repairing those inadequate or broken systems helps to raise awareness of the issues on a community basis so that officials are prepared to prevent human trafficking and slavery, and to punish those involved in its promotion.

IJM’s impact is being felt around the world. The Mission has rescued more than 49,000 people to date. They have trained more than 67,000 officials. More than 150 million people are currently being protected from trafficking and slavery through IJM’s efforts.

Lest we forget, IJM is a community of people with a common faith in and commitment to follow Jesus Christ, from whom they draw their strength and unity. The Mission is a place where that faith is practiced, not only in their labor but in their personal lives as well.

U.S. News and World Report has named IJM as one of the top 10 non-profits that are “making a difference,” an honor that appears to be well-deserved.

July 30, 2020 is the World Day Against Human Trafficking.

Read more news on Human Trafficking and Faith Based Organizations on Missions Box.