Hollywood movies are expertly scripted to paint a devastating picture of child trafficking. Movies like these can be an emotionally gripping way to introduce large audiences to the problem of human trafficking. But action movies are not an accurate reflection of reality – even when they are based on true stories. We’ve highlighted five examples of how child trafficking has been portrayed in movies, and how they compare to IJM’s real work in the Dominican Republic which resulted in a staggering 78% reduction in child sex trafficking.
Trained government officials led a surprise inspection in Chennai, which rescued 12 minor boys who were victims of human trafficking and child bonded labor. The boys had been forced to work at a jewelry factory using their bare hands for over 12 hours each day without safety gear.
A group of organizations in an area historically afflicted by violence against women and children, collaborated with IJM Guatemala to host an educational fair. The event aimed to inform the 225 attendees about how minors experiencing violence can access justice and other services within their community.
Last week, advocates from more than 30 states gathered in Washington, D.C. to meet with more than 130 congressional offices, presenting the facts about the online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) and legislation to combat it. The bipartisan EARN IT Act incentivizes companies to create a safer online environment and help bring an end OSEC.
Nate King, IJM’s Director of Congressional Affairs wrote an op-ed in The Hill urging Congress to pass the EARN IT Act. He shared, “We must urgently enact legislation that motivates tech companies to do more to disrupt child exploitation on their platforms. We need laws that hold stakeholders accountable."
Forced scamming has quickly escalated into an international human rights concern, with an estimated 100,000 victims in Cambodia alone. Jacob Sims, the Senior Technical Advisor of Forced Criminality for IJM, maintains a hopeful outlook that this U.N. report will bring greater awareness and resources to combat this crime.
