IJM News from 2003

Did you know that slave trading and traffic is active in many parts of the world? Did you know that children are often the victims of the slave trade and other abuses of fundamental human rights? Did you know that as a legal professional there is a role for you to play in stopping and preventing abuses of human rights?


IJM uses investigators, attorneys, law students, and others to document various violations of fundamental human rights and then uses that country's laws, and international law, to motivate authorities to intervene and bring freedom to people and children trapped in slavery, sex trades, and other situations of abuse. [Visit the website: http://www.ijm.org/ ]


Gary Haugen grew up in the Sacramento area. He received his B.A. from Harvard University, where he was active in international issues. He took time off to work in South Africa with the National Initiative for Reconciliation, where he was active in helping lay a foundation for a peaceful transition from apartheid.


Gary received his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School. He went to work for the U.S. Department of Justice and was eventually assigned to the United Nations as a U.S. investigator of the genocide in Ruwanda.

In response to his exposure to gross human rights injustices around the world, and because of his commitment to doing justice as a follower of Jesus Christ, Gary left the Department of Justice in 1997 and founded the International Justice Mission. As IJM receives reports of fundamental human rights abuses, particularly in the area of slavery and sex trafficking of children, the reports are evaluated and, as appropriate, investigative teams are formed to examine the claims and document abuses. With the evidence that is gathered, a legal case is put together to present to legal authorities in the country in question.


The efforts of IJM have freed hundreds of children from slavery and sex trafficking. IJM then works with various missions agencies and care givers to place and care for the freed children.