Introducing our 2018/2019 Grant Partner: International Justice Mission
International Justice Mission (IJM) is the world’s largest anti-trafficking organization in the world. They work to protect the poor from violence in the developing world with a vision to “rescue thousands, protect millions, and prove that justice for the poor is possible.”
According to the United Nations, 4 billion people live outside the protection of the law. This means that their public justice systems- police, courts, and laws- are so broken, corrupt, and dysfunctional, that there is nothing to shield the poor from violence.
Injustice is defined by IJM as “when someone abuses their power to take from others the good things God wants them to have- their life, liberty, dignity, and the fruits of their love and labor.”
IJM works specifically with cases of slavery, sex trafficking, sexual violence, police brutality, property grabbing, and citizens’ rights abuse. One commonality that distinguishes these cases as injustice is the presence of violence. IJM’s solution is to be a casework organization to seek actual, tangible, and immediate relief for those suffering while changing the corrupt government system that supports oppression. This is accomplished through a four-step process: rescuing victims, bringing criminals to justice, restoring survivors, and strengthening systems.
“IJM needs lawyers, investigators, and social workers to be on the front lines rescuing victims, but they also need people taking ordinary steps every single day to create a global movement of advocates.”
With over 40 million slaves in the world today, IJM cannot end slavery alone. They rely on strategic partnerships to fuel the mission. Individual supporters partner with IJM by becoming Freedom Partners to fund rescue missions that relieve children and adults from violence and exploitation. Over the past two decades, IJM in collaboration with local governments and law enforcement has freed over 45,000 individuals.
IJM needs lawyers, investigators, and social workers to be on the front lines rescuing victims, but they also need people taking ordinary steps every single day to create a global movement of advocates. They need people, like you and me, wearing dresses and ties as a symbol of freedom and power for the inherent dignity of all people.
IJM has seen the impact this work has had on some of the poorest, violent inflicted communities and they understand that for slavery to end we need a global movement of advocates. Will you join us?
Raise your voice against slavery this December!
Commit to wearing a dress or tie every day in December. You'll challenge yourself, expand your knowledge on modern slavery, and be equipped to lead your community in the fight to end human trafficking. Registration is open for Dressember 2018 and fundraising has already started! Be a part of the impact for our local and global partners by creating your campaign page today!
About the Author
Kaitlyn Lopas is a newlywed and college graduate. After learning how to stay warm in a dress during Wisconsin's winter, she loved hearing and sharing the stories of fellow Dressember advocates. Her bucket list includes riding in a hot air balloon, finishing a cookbook by making all the recipes, and catching a fish larger than herself.