October 2011

GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA – Earlier this week, after a hearing had been cancelled and rescheduled five times, the man who abused Samanta* when she was 5 years old was sentenced to 9 years and 3 months in prison for continued sexual aggression. Her brave testimony was the final piece of evidence that solidified the case – and the justice secured was an important step in her family's restoration.

The following day, in the same child-friendly room in the court where 7-year-old Samanta had shared details of sexual abuse, another one of IJM's clients, Elany*, testified. The perpetrator admitted to sexually abusing the Elany and was sentenced to 17 years in prison for continuous aggravated rape.

One of the most touching client stories I’ve heard since joining IJM involves a six-year-old girl who had been sexual assaulted in Manila.  It was my colleague Sean Litton’s first week on the job in a brand new IJM office in the Philippines when a social service provider brought the child and a case file folder to him and told Sean that the judge was hearing the case that very day.  Sean had little time to do more than scan the folder and speak briefly with the child, who would have to provide testimony in the case.  When he talked to the victim, his heart sank.  The child had a developmental disability and had difficulty concentrating. He entered the courtroom with the child and her social worker with little hope that she would be able to provide compelling testimony about the violence she had suffered.

KIGALI, RWANDA – This month, IJM Rwanda trained thirty-five Rwandan judges and prosecutors on best practices for handling cases of child sexual assault.

IJM staff led sessions on investigations, evidence collection, forensic interview techniques and the importance of including medical evidence in cases of sexual violence against children.

MUMBAI, INDIA – Last week, in response to proof gathered by IJM, Mumbai police acted quickly to rescue several young women who were trapped in a brothel.

When IJM and police arrived on the night of the rescue, the women who had confided to IJM caseworkers about the abusive conditions inside the brothel were present.