Hi John,   

While I can spend this entire email telling you why IJM’s Advocacy Summit is my favorite event of the year, instead, I want to introduce you to a young woman who inspires me to continue in the work of advocacy. 

Joy’s* name embodies her vibrant spirit: She is lively, fun-loving, and warmly engaging with everyone she meets. But Joy had to persevere to become the survivor she is today. From the age of 10, she was forced into online sexual exploitation by a distant aunt. The abuse lasted for years.  

While her story is horrific, it’s her voice that inspires us every day in this work of advocacy. Two years after she was brought to safety, Joy became the first among a dozen victims from her case to bravely testify in court. 

“Seeking justice for me is very important. It’s like freeing the hearts of those being victimized. I wanted to seek justice not just for myself but for all the others whom she victimized,” Joy said.   

Today, Joy is a licensed social worker and an active member of the Philippine Survivor Network, advocating for the transformation of the public justice system to protect all children from the same form of abuse. 

“I think it’s important that I and other survivors advocate because we have our experience, and our experience is not always heard. We advocate so that people will understand the pain we went through,” Joy said.  

She hopes that advocacy will move people, especially government leaders, to prioritize solutions for this crime so that no more children will experience what she experienced. 

This two-day Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., is an opportunity to come together with other justice advocates and ask your elected officials to prioritize legislation that combats human trafficking and violence.   

Join Joy in raising your voice against injustice. Register today for IJM’s Advocacy Summit this Sept. 9-10. 

Even if you’ve never met with your elected officials before, your voice matters. And we’ll be with you every step of the way!   

See you on Capitol Hill! 

Until all are free, 
Nate King 
Director, U.S. Policy and Advocacy