Some facts about injustice today - introducing the International Justice Mission

Earlier today I was instant messaging with my husband- we sit at our respective computers and send links back and forth to each other. At MSN, I came across a Dateline article on the Cambodian sex trade, which is one of the horrific issues that keeps me working on Saturday mornings while the kids play soccer.

The article describes the child sex-slave industry in Cambodia, and the efforts of some organizations to end that industry, and to provide care to the children who are rescued from the brothels - some of the children as young as five. One of those organizations is The International Justice Mission.

The International Justice Mission [IJM] is a phenomenal, courageous organization that works to shed light on gross injustice, and to bring pressure on countries to correct those injustices. Through hard work, risk, and working within the confines of other country's laws, IJM aggressively attacks the problems of child exploitation and sex-trade slavery, in addition to other kinds of slavery and injustice.

Here are some facts from their website, which are well documented via other organizations as well.

from the website of International Justice Mission
The Facts

• The total market value of illicit human trafficking is estimated to be in excess of $32 billion (U.N.)


• Each year, more than 2 million children are exploited in the global commercial sex trade (UNICEF)


• 27 million men, women and children are held as slaves. (Kevin Bales, Disposable People)


• 1 in 5 women is a victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime. (U. N. Development Fund for Women)


• More than 1 million children live in detention, the vast majority awaiting trial for minor offenses. (UNICEF)

Their website has a wealth of important information, including how you can help via volunteering and donation.

Some facts about slavery in the US (from Good magazine):

• Between 14,500 - 17,500 slaves are brought into the US each year. One approximately every 30 minutes.


• Half of the slaves brought into the US are used in the commercial sex industry


• Internationally, the average cost of a slave is $90

Washington update for July

Hello All!

• Are you a PTA member? Can you help us between 10-3pm on Saturday, July 12? Please? We have submitted a legislative proposal to the Washington State PTA, and are due to testify on its behalf tomorrow, 7/12. We realized Wednesday that Bethan hadn't paid her PTA dues for the 2007/2008 school year, and now we need someone to present the proposal for her! This proposal would increase the penalties for predatory crimes committed against kids within a school zone, defined as 1000 feet around schools, and 100 feet around bus stops.



• Huzzah to Wash-CAP - we made 'partner' with the Take 25 program from NCMEC, reaching more than 30,000 people with the prevention education message during late May and early June. We're still at it, too. If you live in White Center, you'll find Take 25 materials presented by the Kiwanis at the Jubilee, and various farmers markets around the Puget Sound area will have Take 25 materials, as available, during the Summer and Fall.



• Our Education work now dwarfs our legislative work, so we're filing for (c)(3) status. Soon, your donations will be tax deductible. In the meantime, we still need donations! Right now we're raising money to buy ID kits for the kids at Stanley Elementary in Tacoma. Representatives from state and federal agencies will fingerprint and photograph, and each kid leaves with a very functional ID kit in case the worst happens and a child goes missing.
  
  Very few children are kidnapped and 'disappear' each year, but the consequences are tremendous, and these ID kits have assisted in the return of many children. During ID events, preventative education is also provided to the community, families, and children. Please send in a donation to help this happen. There are approximately 325 kids, and each ID kit costs a dollar. We accept donations via checks, cash, and paypal.



• We need your skills! Grant writers, executive level project managers, fundraisers - if you'd like to do some resume-worthy non-profit work, contact us. We're working on some truly fantastic projects this year, and are only limited by dollars in the bank and hours in the day.



• What do you think?
  
  -Should there be a statute of limitations on child sexual assault cases?
  -Do you agree with the Supreme Court Ruling that the death penalty may not be applied even in the most severe cases of child sexual assault?
  
  Send us back your answers and will post them on our site.