March 2012

CEBU, THE PHILIPPINES – This week, two traffickers were convicted for sex trafficking crimes against two adult women and sentenced to twenty years in prison.

The just ruling is "ground breaking," according to IJM Cebu Director of Legal, Mark Anthony Del Mundo. "It sets the standard for cases that involve adult, rather than minor, victims," he explains.

IJM had urged the Cebu City Philippine National Police to rescue the women and arrest the traffickers.

KIGALI, RWANDA – Late last week, a man was convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison for sexually assaulting 12-year-old Cadence.* The just ruling was rendered a week after two children gave testimonies in a hearing, recounting the abuse they had witnessed.

IJM worked closely with a Rwandan prosecutor to prepare for the criminal trial. IJM Rwanda Senior Consultant Attorney, James Nuwagaba, explained that they "teamed up" to work efficiently and to swiftly secure justice for Cadence.

Assembling on short notice – the word spreading rapidly via Twitter and Facebook – thousands filled the sanctuary at Passion City Church in Atlanta. A handful of seats even held more than one guest.

CHENNAI, INDIA – A dozen men and women and their children were freed from slavery in a rice mill over the weekend. Local authorities partnered with IJM to rescue the families and restore them to freedom.

One of the men who was rescued said he had not been allowed to leave the rice mill to visit his home for almost four years – even though his home is five minutes from the mill.

The government officials granted twelve of the individuals release certificates, emancipating them from slavery and cancelling any outstanding debt the owner may have claimed they owed him.