2020 – 7,000 Released from Slavery in Less than 48 Hours

As COVID-19 hit India harder than almost any other country in the world, the government never relented in its commitment to protecting migrant labourers who were being exploited through labour trafficking. After years of training, deepening partnerships and continued advocacy, the local government was equipped to find victims of forced labour and legally emancipate them from their unjust enslavement. An operation led by local authorities at a brick kiln exposed a network of thousands of migrant workers being held in captivity, and the government acted swiftly. Within two days, over 7,000 victims of forced labour were freed and brought to safety.

2020 – IJM Completes Programme in Chiang Mai, Sees Lasting Change

After two decades of training, collaboration and partnership, IJM’s Chiang Mai office completed its goal. Local governments, law enforcement and community organisations are now fully equipped with everything they need to protect their citizens, and another justice system is transformed.

2021 – Child Marriage Banned in Dominican Republic

In June 2020, IJM began a grassroots movement to advocate for child marriage to be declared illegal and unconstitutional in the Dominican Republic by the government. In a remarkable sign of progress, the president responded by passing a bill that eliminated the legal grounds for child marriage in the country. This was yet another picture of what a safer future could be – where governments have the resources to proudly and decisively take ownership over the safety of their communities. As a result of this bill, an entire generation of young girls in the Dominican Republic will be safer from the abuse and trafficking that once was a daily threat.

2022 – IJM Thailand Wins Award for Trafficking Prevention

The government of Thailand officially recognised IJM Thailand as an “Outstanding Agency in the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking.” The team continues to work hard today in partnership with the local government to rescue and restore survivors, bring traffickers to justice, strengthen the justice system and scale demand for protection of their most vulnerable communities.

2022 – IJM successfully concludes projects to combat child sex trafficking in Mumbai and Kolkata and proves the success of IJM’s model in Tamil Nadu

In 2022, external evaluators confirmed that because of IJM’s collaboration with implementing partners and government officials, there were dramatic decreases in the prevalence of trafficking and slavery across India: 76% and 80% reductions in sex trafficking in Mumbai and Kolkata, respectively, and an 82% reduction in forced labour slavery in Tamil Nadu. This decrease marked a shift in casework for IJM Mumbai and Kolkata, from sex trafficking to forced labour slavery, and resulted in evaluators recommending scaling up our model and expanding to other states.

2023 – IJM successfully concludes project to combat child sex trafficking in the Dominican Republic

After a decade of perseverance and prayer, IJM Dominican Republic concluded its programming, having brought justice to victims and helped create an environment of protection where potential victims are spared from ever experiencing violence in the first place. During the decade of IJM’s presence, the Dominican Republic experienced a staggering 78% decrease in the overall prevalence of commercial sexual exploitation of children. The closing of our office in the DR marks another milestone on our journey to build a safer and more just world.

2026 – IJM is currently working in 19 countries in South and Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe with plans to continue scaling over the next 5+ years

We know our model works. Now, we are scaling with an expansive network of on-the-ground partnerships, reducing crime and delivering protection for people around the globe. We have identified dozens of justice system strengthening projects spanning 25 countries that we believe can reduce the targeted violence by 50–85%. This reduction will have a multiplying effect for millions more survivors who will experience the benefits of a functioning justice system—one that delivers justice, freedom and safety to all its citizens.