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IJM Findings and Studies

Proving Justice for People in Poverty is Possible

We believe the children, families and communities we serve deserve the very best. We owe it to them – and to those who make our work possible – to ensure that our work is effective. That’s why we base the design and management of our programs on evidence we collect through rigorous documentation, monitoring and evaluation.

Here’s how it works:

Summary - Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Philippines

An Analysis and Recommendations for Governments, Industry and Civil Society

Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) is a complex, hidden crime that is particularly challenging for the global community to measure and address. To both set a baseline of the existing global data and catalyze future research efforts, International Justice Mission (IJM) brought together leading agencies from across multiple disciplines as well as research experts to collaboratively take on this challenge: examine existing data sources and research methodologies in order to provide meaningful information about this crime that would be valuable for understanding its scale as well as informing interventions to combat it.

Full Report - Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Philippines

An Analysis and Recommendations for Governments, Industry and Civil Society

Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) is a complex, hidden crime that is particularly challenging for the global community to measure and address. To both set a baseline of the existing global data and catalyze future research efforts, International Justice Mission (IJM) brought together leading agencies from across multiple disciplines as well as research experts to collaboratively take on this challenge: examine existing data sources and research methodologies in order to provide meaningful information about this crime that would be valuable for understanding its scale as well as informing interventions to combat it.

Explore IJM Studies and Papers

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37 studies found

Scale of Harm: Estimating the Prevalence of Trafficking to Produce Child Sexual Exploitation Material in the Philippines

IJM Scale of Harm 2023 Full Report 5f292593a9:

Download PDF (28.645 MB)
Author International Justice Mission , Nottingham Rights Lab
Resource Type Prevalence Study
Publication DateOctober, 2023
Location Philippines
Subject Online Sexual Exploitation of Children , Sex trafficking

The production of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) is an issue that plagues communities worldwide. Yet, the Philippines has been identified as a global epicenter for financially motivated CSEM production, especially via livestreaming. Anecdotal evidence suggests that incidences of this form of trafficking and exploitation in the Philippines are high. In March 2021, International Justice Mission (IJM) launched the Scale of Harm project to measure the prevalence of trafficking of children to produce CSEM in the Philippines.

Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Philippines

Philippines OSEC Scoping Review:

Download PDF (1.657 MB)
Author Steven Roche , Carmela Otarra , Imogen Fell , Christine Belle Torres , Sydney Rees
Resource Type Other Study Type
Publication DateApril, 2023
Location Philippines
Subject Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) , Sex trafficking

Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) is a rising form of child abuse in the Philippines with significant social, health and wellbeing consequences for survivors. In response, this scoping review was undertaken to advance understanding of the current empirical evidence on OSEC in the Philippines and to identify its characteristics, key drivers and leading intervention and prevention approaches in order to develop improved policy and practice responses.

Study of the Dominican public justice system in response to sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children, 2010–2022

DR PJS Performance confidence reliance study:

Download PDF (2.172 MB)
Author IJM
Resource Type Public Justice System Performance Study
Publication DateMarch, 2023
Location Dominican Republic
Subject Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) , Sex trafficking

This study examines the response of the public justice system (PJS) of the Dominican Republic in response to commercial sexual exploitation of children and sex trafficking from 2010-2022. It is the first study of its kind in the DR to use a robust methodology and provide concrete data about the performance of the PJS in response to the crime, key stakeholder confidence in the PJS response, and people’s reliance on the PJS.

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Dominican Republic

DR Endline CSEC Prevalence Study:

Download PDF (2.101 MB)
Author IJM
Resource Type Prevalence Study
Publication DateJanuary, 2023
Location Dominican Republic
Subject Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

This study examines the prevalence of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in 20 cities in the Dominican Republic through an undercover survey that used qualitative and quantitative methods. This report contrasts 2022 prevalence levels with those obtained in a baseline study conducted by IJM in 2014. This study found a statistically significant 78% reduction in the prevalence of CSEC over the eight years between the two studies. The prevalence of CSEC went from 10.0% in 2014 to 2.2% in 2022.

Estudio sobre el sistema público de justicia dominicano en el tema de la trata de personas con fines de explotación sexual y la explotación sexual comercial de niños, niñas y adolescentes, 2010-2022

Estudio sobre la respuesta del SPJ dominicano a la ESCNNA y TDP 2010 2022:

Download PDF (2.235 MB)
Author IJM
Resource Type Public Justice System Performance Study
Publication DateNovember, 2022
Location Dominican Republic
Subject Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

El presente estudio examina la respuesta del sistema público de justicia (SPJ) dominicano a la explotación sexual comercial de niños, niñas y adolescentes (ESCNNA) y la trata de personas (TDP) con fines de explotación sexual en el período comprendido entre 2010-2022. Es el primer estudio nacional de este tipo que emplea una metodología robusta y aporta datos concretos sobre el desempeño del SPJ en respuesta al crimen, la percepción de confianza de autoridades claves sobre la respuesta del SPJ y la fiabilidad del SPJ desde la perspectiva de los sobrevivientes.

La explotación sexual comercial de niños, niñas y adolescentes en República Dominicana, estudio de prevalencia de línea final

Estudio de prevalencia de la ESCNNA en RD linea final OFICIAL en linea:

Download PDF (2.089 MB)
Author IJM
Resource Type Prevalence Study
Publication DateNovember, 2022
Location Dominican Republic
Subject Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

El presente estudio examina los niveles de prevalencia de la explotación sexual comercial de niños, niñas y adolescentes (ESCNNA) en 20 ciudades prioritarias de la República Dominicana, a través de una encuesta encubierta que usó métodos cuantitativos y cualitativos. Este informe presenta los resultados de la prevalencia en 2022 en contraste con los obtenidos en el estudio de línea base realizado por IJM en 2014. Documenta una reducción significativa de la prevalencia de ESCNNA, pasando de 10.0 % en 2014 a 2.2 % en 2022. Esto significa que, en el transcurso de ocho años, la prevalencia de ESCNNA es un 78.0 % menor a la encontrada en 2014.

Justice Review, IJM learnings, Violence Against Women and Children

IJM Justice Review2019 compressed:

Download PDF (10.152 MB)
Author multiple
Resource Type Introduction and summary of 4 full-length studies (Guatemala, Bolivia, 2 Uganda)
Publication DateSeptember, 2020
Location Guatemala , Bolivia , Uganda
Subject Violence Against Women and Children

Summary Report: Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Philippines: Analysis and Recommendations for Governments, Industry, and Civil Society

Final OSEC Public Summary 05 20 2020:

Download PDF (14.021 MB)
Author International Justice Mission with 14 Implementing and Advisory Partners
Resource Type Prevalence Study
Publication DateMay, 2020
Location Philippines
Subject Online Sexual Exploitation of Children

This summary report provides the highlights from the study into the nature and scale of OSEC in the Philippines. This study was led by IJM, in partnership with the Philippine Government and a variety of stakeholders, under the U.S.-Philippine Child Protection Compact (CPC) Partnership between the U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and the Government of the Philippines.

Full Length Report: Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Philippines: Analysis and Recommendations for Governments, Industry, and Civil Society

Final Public Full Report 5 20 2020:

Download PDF (5.449 MB)
Author International Justice Mission with 14 Implementing and Advisory Partners
Resource Type Prevalence Study
Publication DateMay, 2020
Location Philippines
Subject Online Sexual Exploitation of Children

This report presents the results of a study into the nature and scale of OSEC in the Philippines. This study was led by IJM, in partnership with the Philippine Government and a variety of stakeholders, under the U.S.-Philippine Child Protection Compact (CPC) Partnership between the U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and the Government of the Philippines.

Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Philippines: A Review of the Criminal Justice System’s Response

Philippines OSEC Criminal Justice System Baseline Assessment:

Download PDF (723.653 KB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Public Justice System Performance Study
Publication DateDecember, 2018
Location Philippines
Subject Online Sexual Exploitation of Children

This report summarizes the baseline study findings of the Philippine Government’s response to the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children as it was in 2017.

Final Evaluation of Program to Combat Sexual Violence Against Children and Adolescents in Guatemala 2005-2017

IJM Guatemala External Evaluation Report:

Download PDF (1.686 MB)
Author ARS Progetti
Resource Type Program Evaluation
Publication DateDecember, 2018
Location Guatemala
Subject Sexual Violence Against Children

An Endline Study of the Prevalence of Property Grabbing among Widows In Mukono County, Uganda, and the Response of the Justice System (2018)

Uganda Property Grabbing Prevalence:

Download PDF (774.009 KB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Endline Study
Publication DateDecember, 2018
Location Uganda
Subject Land theft

The Criminal Justice System Response to Child Sexual Assault in Guatemala: 2013–2017

IJM Guatemala Endline Performance Study:

Download PDF (1.641 MB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Endline Study
Publication DateDecember, 2018
Location Guatemala
Subject Sexual Violence Against Children

Justice Review: A Journal of Protection and Justice for the Poor

IJM Justice Review:

Download PDF (6.053 MB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Other Study Type
Publication DateAugust, 2018
Location Multiple Countries
Subject Forced Labor

The second edition of IJM's Justice Review is a compendium of studies of forced, trafficked labor commissioned by International Justice Mission. This edition includes substantial summaries of full-length prevalence reports on bonded labor in Tamil Nadu and Bangalore, India; child labor slavery in Ghana; and trafficked labor in Thailand's fishing industry. It also includes studies of the capacity of the Cambodian and Thai governments' criminal justice systems to address labor trafficking. Links to the majority of the full-length reports are included.

External Evaluation of IJM's Property Grabbing Program in Mukono County, Uganda

IJM Kampala End of Program Evaluation FINAL:

Download PDF (1.457 MB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Program Evaluation
Publication DateAugust, 2018
Location Uganda
Subject Land theft

An external evaluation of IJM's 2012-2017 program to address land theft (property grabbing) from widows by strengthening the public justice system response.

La respuesta del Sistema de Justicia Penal a la Violencia Sexual en contra de Niñas, Niños y Adolescentes en Guatemala 2013-2017. Indicadores de práctica, proceso y resolución.

SVAC Public Justice System Performance Study Guatemala:

Download PDF (12.282 MB)
Author IJM
Resource Type Public Justice System Performance Study
Publication DateAugust, 2018
Location Guatemala
Subject Sexual Violence Against Children

Este estudio analiza el desempeño del SJP en Guatemala en casos de violencia sexual en contra de la niñez y adolescencia, y donde es apropiado, hacer una comparación entre los hallazgos de línea final entre 2013-2017 y los hallazgos del estudio de línea base entre 2008- 2012, llevado a cabo en 2012-2013. El objetivo principal de este estudio es entender cómo ha cambiado el desempeño del SJP en Guatemala durante los últimos cinco años, reconocer las mejoras, y contribuir a los esfuerzos del SJP de mejorar la respuesta del sistema a los casos de violencia sexual en contra de NNA.


Assessment of Survivor Outcomes Validation Study (ASO)

ASO Validation Study English:

Download PDF (5.599 MB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Validation Study
Publication DateJuly, 2018
Location Multiple Countries
Subject Assessment of Survivor Outcomes

The Assessment of Survivor Outcomes (ASO) tool, developed by International Justice Mission is a valid and reliable tool for measuring progress toward restoration and outcomes for survivors who are recovering from various forms of violence and exploitation.

Explore the ASO Tool: www.ijm.org/aso

A Performance Study of the Bolivian Public Justice System

IJM A Performance Study of the Bolivian Public Justice System:

Download PDF (38.644 MB)

IJM Estudio de Rendimiento del Sistema de Justicia Boliviano:

Download PDF (35.312 MB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Public Justice System Performance Study
Publication DateJuly, 2018
Location Bolivia
Subject Sexual Violence

An investigation conducted in collaboration with the Bolivian Magistrate's Council to assess the criminal process, from start to finish, of cases of sexual violence against children in La Paz, Bolivia.

Investigación realizada en colaboración con el Consejo de la Magistratura de Bolivia para evaluar el proceso penal, de principio a fin, en casos de violencia sexual contra la niñez en La Paz, Bolivia.

Child Sex Trafficking in Metro Manila

Ijm manila final web v2:

Download PDF (3.844 MB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Crime Prevalence Study
Publication DateMay, 2018
Location Philippines
Subject Child Sex Trafficking in Metro Manila

A study measuring the prevalence of children in commercial sexual exploitation in Metro Manila, the Philippines

Not In The Same Boat

IJM Not In The Same Boat:

Download PDF (8.808 MB)
Author Issara Institute , International Justice Mission
Resource Type Crime Prevalence Study
Publication DateSeptember, 2017
Location Thailand
Subject Forced Labor

Evaluation of the Program to Combat Sex Trafficking of Children in the Philippines: 2003-2015

Philippines csec program evaluation:

Download PDF (2.591 MB)
Author Dr. Robin Haarr
Resource Type Program Evaluation
Publication DateAugust, 2017
Location Philippines
Subject Sex trafficking

Evaluation of the Program to Combat Sex Trafficking of Children in the Philippines: 2003-2015

Child Sexual Assault: Practice and Learnings

Inspire csa recommendations:

Download PDF (589.247 KB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Article or White Paper
Publication DateAugust, 2017
Location Multiple Countries
Subject Policy recommendations on child sexual assault

By Holly Burkhalter, Senior Advisor for Justice System Transformation. Originally submitted to the World Health Organization as part of a WHO-UNICEF initiative to implement the anti-violence Sustainable Development Goals relating to children. This white paper describes IJM experience and learnings from its field offices which address the issue of sexual assault of children. It discusses child and victim-friendly process throughout investigation and prosecution of child sexual assault and specific criminal justice capacities which are required to protect victims and deter predators.

Labor Trafficking in Cambodia

Labor trafficking in cambodia a review of the pjss response ijm 2016:

Download PDF (1.023 MB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Other Study Type
Publication DateNovember, 2016
Location Cambodia
Subject Forced Labor

A Review of the Public Justice System’s Response to Labor Trafficking in Cambodia

Child Trafficking into Forced Labor on Lake Volta, Ghana

Ijm ghana report:

Download PDF (3.717 MB)
Author Kirsten Singleton , Katrina B. Stone , Julie Stricker
Publication DateOctober, 2016
Location Ghana
Subject Forced Labor

The purpose of this baseline study was to document the scope and nature of child trafficking in Lake Volta’s fishing industry.

Child Sex Trafficking in Angeles City

Ijm pampanga final web pdf v2:

Download PDF (2.769 MB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Crime Prevalence Study
Publication DateOctober, 2016
Location Philippines
Subject Sex trafficking

A study measuring the prevalence of children in commercial sexual exploitation in Angeles City, the Philippines

External Evaluation of IJM’s Program to Combat Sex Trafficking of Children in Cambodia, 2004-2014

2015 Evaluation of IJM CSEC Program in Cambodia Final Report:

Download PDF (1.325 MB)

2015 Evaluation of IJM CSEC Program in Cambodia Executive Summary:

Download PDF (496.462 KB)
Author Dr. Robin Haarr
Resource Type Program Evaluation
Publication DateDecember, 2015
Location Cambodia
Subject Sex trafficking

An evaluation of IJM’s 10-year program to combat sex trafficking of children in Cambodia

Estudio Investigativo de la Prevalencia de la Explotación Sexual Comercial de Niños, Niñas y Adolescentes en la República Dominicana

CSEC Prevalence Study Dominican Republic:

Download PDF (1.148 MB)
Author IJM
Resource Type Prevalence Study
Publication DateAugust, 2015
Location Dominican Republic
Subject Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

La explotación sexual comercial de NNA en la República Dominicana es un problema significativo. Otros estudios en los últimos 15 años han reportado consistentemente números altos de niñez explotada en esta industria. Sin embargo, no ha habido un estudio en años recientes que mida en tiempo real, la prevalencia de NNA en situación de ESC en la República Dominicana. Este estudio, ejecutado en el 2014, tiene como propósito llenar este vacío significativo de investigación con una medida estadística significativa, así como también proveer un punto de partida sólido a partir del cual se pueda evaluar la efectividad de las intervenciones conjuntas del gobierno e IJM en el combate a la ESC en los años que vienen.

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Dominican Republic

IJM Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Dominican Republic:

Download PDF (12.276 MB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Crime Prevalence Study
Publication DateApril, 2015
Location Dominican Republic
Subject Sex trafficking

A study measuring the prevalence of children in commercial sexual exploitation in the Dominican Republic

Property Grabbing from Ugandan Widows and the Public Justice System Response

IJM Propery Grabbing from Ugandan Widows and the Justice System:

Download PDF (14.764 MB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Crime Prevalence Study , Public Justice System Performance Study
Publication DateOctober, 2014
Location Uganda
Subject Land theft

A mixed-methods assessment in Mukono County, Uganda assessing the prevalence of land theft (property grabbing) from widows as well as the justice system response to the crime.

Strengthening the Performance of the Ugandan Public Justice System

Uganda World Bank Paper:

Download PDF (623.471 KB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Article or White Paper
Publication DateMarch, 2014
Location Uganda
Subject Land theft

Paper detailing a model to secure and protect widow and orphan land rights - presented at the World Bank Conference on Land and Poverty, March 2014

Guatemalan Criminal Justice System Performance Study, 2008-2012

Guatemala Public Justice System Performance Study:

Download PDF (2.869 MB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Public Justice System Performance Study
Publication DateAugust, 2013
Location Guatemala
Subject Sexual Violence Against Children

Indicators of practice, process and resolution in cases of child sexual assault nationwide

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Cambodia

CSEC Prevalence Cambodia FINAL 12 Sept 2013 1:

Download PDF (1.462 MB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Crime Prevalence Study
Publication DateMarch, 2013
Location Cambodia
Subject Sex trafficking

A study measuring the prevalence of children in commercial sexual exploitation in three major Cambodian cities

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Cambodia and the Public Justice System Response

Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Public Justice System Performance Study , Other Study Type
Publication DateMarch, 2013
Location Cambodia
Subject Sex trafficking

A stakeholder analysis of change in Cambodia, 2000-2012

Sex Trafficking, Law Enforcement and Perpetrator Accountability

Sex Trafficking Law Enforcment and Perpetrator Accountability2:

Download PDF (297.817 KB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Article or White Paper
Publication DateJune, 2012
Location Multiple Countries
Subject Sex trafficking

By IJM Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy Holly Burkhalter. Originally published in The Anti-Trafficking Review.

From Inside Prison Walls

Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Other Study Type
Publication DateOctober, 2011
Location Cambodia
Subject Sex trafficking

Interviews with incarcerated brothel owners and human traffickers in Cambodia

Project Lantern Results Summary

Cebu Project Lantern Results Summary:

Download PDF (334.922 KB)
Author International Justice Mission
Resource Type Article or White Paper
Publication DateJanuary, 2011
Location Philippines
Subject Sex trafficking

Summary of four-years of IJM partnership with local justice system actors and other stakeholders in Cebu, the Philippines

Evaluation of "Project Lantern"

Cebu Project Lantern Impact Assessment:

Download PDF (2.273 MB)
Author Andrew Jones and Associates
Resource Type Impact Study
Publication DateOctober, 2010
Location Philippines
Subject Sex trafficking

Assessment of five-year impact and change in the public justice system - Cebu, the Philippines

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