We won’t stop until we end the business of modern slavery for good
The problem
Trafficking and slavery still exist today
Slavery is illegal almost everywhere. But millions of men, women and children are trapped in modern-day slavery around the world. In India, entire families are enslaved in labor trafficking in brick kilns, rice mills, and garment factories working up to 20 hours a day. In Romania, women are tricked into sex trafficking with false promises of a loving relationship or a good-paying job. In the Philippines, children as young as two are sexually abused live for anyone in the world to watch through online sexual exploitation of children.
There are an estimated 50 million people held in slavery today.
An estimated 90% of labor trafficking takes place in the private economy—homes, business and supply chains.
Human trafficking generates about $150 billion a year—with two-thirds coming from commercial sexual exploitation.
Forms of Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery
Labor Trafficking
Vulnerable people are forced to work for little to no pay, through deception, threat or violence.
Sex Trafficking
Someone deceives and sexually exploits another person for a profit. Sex trafficking includes exploitation in brothels, homes and on the internet.
Online Sexual Exploitation of Children
Children are sexually abused by traffickers who spread videos, photos or livestream the abuse for sex offenders to direct from anywhere in the world.
Forced Scamming
Criminals use online communication platforms to falsely advertise overseas jobs, but trap workers once they arrive.
Our solution
Our Community Protection Model
We don’t stop at rescuing and restoring people who have been abused. Our goal is to prevent the violence from happening in the first place.
That’s why IJM and our partners collaborate with local authorities to serve individual survivors of violence, pursue sustainable improvements in the justice system and build communities where all people can expect to be safe and protected.
Where we work to end trafficking and slavery
Meet Foli
A young boy rescued from slavery in Ghana
Foli* was a young boy forced to work 19-hour days casting and untangling nets to produce fish in Lake Volta’s massive fishing industry. For these young children, the only way out of slavery is to drown or be rescued. Foli prayed to God for safety and a chance to escape. After local police found him and brought him to safety, he was able to go to school and play soccer again. Today, there are still thousands of other children like him waiting for rescue.
Explore more stories related to
Trafficking and Slavery:
Over 50 Police Officers in Bangladesh Trained on Anti-Human Trafficking and Victim Care and Management
International Justice Mission Presents the Results of the Analysis Regarding the Ukrainian Refugees Flow in Romania and Human Trafficking Trends
Consecutive rescues in India bring freedom and highlight increasing government dependability
IJM Drives Legislative Changes to Improve Assistance and Protection of Victims of Crime and Accountability of Traffickers, alongside Romanian Parliamentary Commission against Human Trafficking and ANAIS Association
Slavery and Trafficking Resources
We are seeing evidence that IJM’s model works—that enforcing the law deters criminals and protects people from violence. Here’s proof:
Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Philippines: Analysis and Recommendations for Governments, Industry, and Civil Society
Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Philippines: A Review of the Criminal Justice System's Response
IJM Justice Review: A Journal on Protection and Justice for the Poor
Child Sex Trafficking in Metro Manila: Using time-space sampling to measure prevalence of child sex trafficking in Metro Manila, the Philippines
Learn more about our Casework
Violence Against Women and Children
Women and children are particularly vulnerable to violence when no laws are enforced to protect them.
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Domestic Violence
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Sexual Violence
Learn more about this articleSlavery
Millions of men, women and children are trapped in modern-day slavery around the world.
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Sex Trafficking
Learn more about this articleLabor Trafficking
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Online Sexual Exploitation of Children
Learn more about this articleForced Scamming
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Police Abuse of Power
When police are free to misuse their power, vulnerable people are the ones who suffer from their violent actions and false accusations.
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