The post below was submitted by International Justice Mission (IJM), one of our nonprofit partners. It is part of a series of posts written by our nonprofit partner organizations on the issue and causes of human trafficking and child exploitation. Around the world, millions of youth — who are already struggling through poverty, broken homes or other strains — are particularly at risk of being affected by child trafficking. Gary Haugen, the founder of IJM, is publishing a book today called “The Locust Effect,” which discusses how violence disproportionately affects the poor.
“The locusts of everyday violence have been allowed to swarm unabated in the developing world. And they are laying waste to the hope of the poor.” – Gary A. Haugen and Victor Boutros from their new book, “The Locust Effect.”
As our staff around the world work to defend the orphan and plead for the widow, we come face to face every day with the reality that poor people are vulnerable to violence. Globally, the facts are stunning. Nearly 30 million children, women and men are held as forced labor slaves. One in 5 women will be a victim of rape or attempted rape – and sexual violence makes everyday activities like going to school, gathering water, using a communal restroom or taking public transport dangerous. The truth is that that 4 billion people – that most of the world’s poorest people – live in places where their justice systems don’t or can’t protect them from these kinds of “everyday violence.”
We just put together this unforgettable video that shows what the world is up against as we work together to help our poorest neighbors. You won’t want to miss the powerful moment at 1:48 – – our fight against poverty is worth safeguarding.
International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. Founded in 1997, IJM works with local governments to ensure victim rescue, to prosecute perpetrators and to strengthen the community and civic factors that promote functioning public justice systems.
To learn more about child sexual exploitation, watch this video, read more about Thorn’s fight, check out our work, and get educated on the child sex trafficking facts and child abuse imagery statistics.
