Child Rescued on the Eve of Rape Initiation

From The International Justice Missions: 

MUMBAI - On the night she was supposed to be raped for the first time, young sex trafficking victim Lona*was plucked from the brink of initiation into a life of forced prostitution by police officials working with International Justice Mission in Mumbai.

Police rescued the child from the exploitative grip of a Mumbai husband-and-wife couple whoThis is not the girl in this story, but from a video I will post. IJM contacted me concerned because "Indian law forbids the publication of images of victims of sex crimes without their expressed consent." It woiuld not be right to give the impression IJM photographed a victim without her consent. had allegedly purchased Lona from a relative in West Bengal for a paltry 1500 rupees—less than $35 US. They intended to exploit the girl’s virginity for a sum of 30,000 rupees, and then sell her to a dance bar or brothel

The girl was only thirteen years old, her age confirmed through an age verification test at a local hospital. She has been placed in an after care with other young girls who came from similar situations.

Read the rest here.

The Weekend to End Slavery - Nov 14-15, 2009/ Extended

This has been extended for as long as you need. Not just for the 14 - 15th. The only difference is instead of watching the webcast live, you would download it. I'm glad because this gives more flexibility. Especially now when a number of people seem to be getting sick.

A side note -- my kit came, and it is very nice. Of the $15.00 total cost, $4.95 was straight postage (no handling). My guess is that IJM is sending them either at or below cost.

A practicle way to help fight slavery, today. Please consider it. The cost is minimal -- two movies and house party kits for $15.00 USA

From the International Justice Missions:

"At the End of Slavery" contains undercover footage and first-person testimony from for mer slaves and respected experts expose the enormity of the crime — but a remarkable strategy and the courage of today's abolitionists offer hope for a final end to this brutal trade.

Shot on location in the Philippines, India, Cambodia and the U.S., At the End of Slavery takes you to the frontlines of today's battle for justice and includes true stories of former slaves and undercover footage from police operations to rescue children from brothels. International Justice Mission's investigators, lawyers and social

workers and their clients, along with other leading abolitionists and anti-trafficking experts, show that there is nothing inevitable about slavery. Law enforcement success in finding and rescuing victims, and prosecuting perpetrators, demonstrates the real possibility of an end to this trade."

The Weekend to End Slavery will be two days of united effort across the United States to educate communities about slavery and mobilize the movement to end this abuse in our lifetime.

During the Weekend to End Slavery, November 14 and 15, people around the country will learn about modern-day slavery, teach others about this injustice, share the message of hope that change is possible, and advocate with members of Congress to use their power to bring slavery to an end.

The movement will continue beyond November 14 — you can help build lasting momentum by hosting your event after this date as well. Gary Haugen's live Webcast will be available for download after the weekend.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

Saturday, November 14: Individuals, families, churches, students and community groups across the country will host house parties on Saturday evening to share At the End of Slavery and begin the discussion of how we can come together to end slavery. Host an event!

That evening, IJM President and CEO Gary Haugen will address those gathered at house parties across the nation via live Webcast at 8:00pm EST. The webcast will be available for download on attheEndofSlavery.com after the live webcast is over. (Details on how to view this live Webcast to be announced on the At the End of Slavery news/updates page).

Get your House Party kit and start planning your own event today!

Sunday, November 15: Churches across the country will share the message of biblical justice and engage people of faith in the struggle to seek justice and rescue the oppressed.

View more resources for churches and learn how to involve yours in the Weekend to End Slavery.

IS NOV. 14 THE ONLY TIME TO HOST A PARTY?

You can host a screening at any time! The Weekend to End Slavery offers the opportunity to join with thousands others across the U.S. to propel the justice movement forward in a unified effort.

But growing the movement is extremely valuable at any time, so if you can't host your At the End of Slavery house party this weekend, please host another time! Those who host their parties in advance of November 14 can encourage guests to host their own screenings on November 14 as one of their first action steps.

 

 Please go here to find out how

See the Need at Christmas

Here is a small taste of what a Christmas gift can do.

From Need: 
the humanitarian magazine

People are being enslaved, and entire families are forced to work to pay off debts they can never repay. International Justice Mission is freeing these slaves.

There are 27 million slaves in the world today. People are forced to work without pay, under the threat of violence and are unable to walk away. -Free the Slaves

It is impossible to know how many people in India are forced to work as slaves in brick kilns, silk factories, salt mines and rice mills. Justice organizations estimate that 10 to 15 million are enslaved throughout India and the number is growing. Poor people are forced or tricked into slavery through the practice of debt bondage. Slave owners offer loans that can be paid off through labor, and once the loan is accepted, the owners charge the worker for all kinds of living expenses and set insurmountable interest rates to ensure that even small loans can never be repaid. An individual's family can be forced to assume the debt, which becomes a vicious cycle that enslaves entire families for generations. Debt bondage has been outlawed in India for more than 30 years, but very little is done to enforce anti-slavery laws.

Families freed from slavery approach the brick kiln where they now work together earning fair wages.

Since 2000, International Justice Mission (IJM) has been fighting to free slaves in India. After uncovering evidence of slavery, it reports and litigates these cases and assists local officials in raids to liberate forced laborers. Once the former slaves are free, IJM assists them to obtain official government release certificates and receive the aid needed to rebuild their lives.

"The problem of slavery is obviously massive. There is much work to be done - but we believe that change is occurring. Ensuring that the millions of men, women and children held in slavery receive the protection that they are guaranteed by their country's own laws will create the structural change that will bring this brutal form of oppression to an end." -Sean Litton, Vice President of Field Operations International Justice Mission

Former slave families carry flags and banners in a mock olympic ceremony organized in part by IJM. "Many sang their national anthem for the first time ... as free citizen[s]," says IJM Communications Manager and photographer Ted Haddock.

IJM staff works undercover to find and document conditions of slavery. In doing so, they have been threatened by mobs and chased while working to end slavery. IJM staff then presents evidence of slavery to local police and officials encouraging them to enforce the laws against this practice, prompting local officials to conduct raids to free the slaves. Upon their release, IJM works to meet victims' immediate needs, providing food, temporary lodging, transportation and other vital support. The staff ensures that victims of forced labor receive the assistance that is available through the government. Children are enrolled in school, and adultsreceive the support they need as they begin to rebuild their lives. IJM monitors former slaves for several years after their release to ensure they stay free and secure.

To read the entire article please see Need; Issue 4: Work

For Christmas - a new gift

There are many gifts to buy or make during this month before Christmas. People we love will be touched that we thought of them. Of course, we hope they will actually enjoy the gift we took the time to find or make for them.

Here is a gift the person receiving it will be thrilled to get: the gift of Freedom.

From a recent letter from the International Justice Missions:

This Christmas, give a gift so precious that you wouldn’t dream of wrapping it: Freedom. International Justice Mission has meaningful gifts that bring hope, dignity and freedom to those in great need.

How it works:

1. You purchase a gift from IJM’s Holiday Gift Catalog.

2. A beautiful card detailing the gift is delivered to your friend or loved one.

3. Your gift is used by IJM to bring freedom to children, women and men in great need.

Featured gift: A day of Advocacy - $70

The poor are often left voiceless in the aftermath of violent oppression. Give someone in desperate need the priceless gift of a highly professional IJM lawyer who will bring the law to bear on their behalf.

Visit the 2008 Gift of Freedom Holiday Catalog today and give freedom to everyone on your list!

On the catalog page you will find various suggestions.

IJM Gift of Freedom Holiday Catalog

Rescue. Renewal. Hope.

This Christmas season, millions of children, women and men wait urgently for only one gift: Freedom.

As we celebrate the great hope of this season, consider sharing that hope by giving a Gift of Freedom to someone special – it is a gift that can bring rescue and renewed hope to victims of violent oppression.

Gifts of Freedom More Information »

INVESTIGATION

A half day of Investigative Work, $25 A full day of Investigative Work, $50

Mobilize IJM’s undercover investigators on the frontlines of justice work as they document evidence of trafficking, slavery and other forms of violent oppression.

More Information »

ADVOCACY

A day of Advocacy, $70 A week of Advocacy, $350

Empower IJM’s lawyers to represent victims of violent oppression in court and ensure that perpetrators of abuses are held accountable under local laws for their crimes against the poor.

More Information »

AFTERCARE

A day of Aftercare, $40 A week of Aftercare, $280

Equip IJM’s aftercare teams to provide vital care to IJM clients, from counseling to life-skills training, to ensuring children are enrolled in school and adults are prepared to begin sustainable careers.