“And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
– Romans 5:5
Africa & Europe
Please pray for IJM Ghana’s Casework Director Anita Budu, who will be training High Court, Circuit Court and Magistrate judges on trauma-sensitive court practices. Participating in trials can often be one of the most re-traumatizing experiences for survivors, as they testify about the abuse they experienced during enslavement. This training will equip judges and court officials to ensure that the court environment, victim interviews and court testimonies minimize the traumatic impacts on survivors, even as the courts maintain justice for all.
Latin America
Please join us in rejoicing with three survivors of sexual violence in Bolivia who received justice on their cases when their abusers were found guilty and sentenced to 13, 12 and 5 years.
Convictions are important for both the justice system and survivors; they show potential aggressors that the justice system will hold them accountable, and help survivors feel safe and move forward in their healing processes. Praise God for the IJM-trained AVES & PROBOS volunteer network, through whom these survivors accessed free legal representation, ensuring they would not walk through their court cases alone. And please continue to pray for the ongoing healing of these survivors, who today can walk confident knowing the people who once hurt them are no longer able to do so.
South Asia
Praise God for a critical conviction this week against a violent trafficker in South Asia. In December 2013, this man was one of nine traffickers who tried to lure 14 women and men into bondage at a brick kiln. When the group escaped, these traffickers kidnapped two of the victims, tortured them and cut off each of their right hands. IJM was able to serve these two victims and fight for them in court. Eight of the suspects were found guilty in 2016, and this final trafficker — who had been absconding for several years — was finally convicted this week. Praise God for the diligent legal team who sought justice in court and pray that news about this case will stop others from abusing and exploiting vulnerable people.
Southeast Asia
Please continue to pray for protection from COVID-19 and its effects for our staff in Southeast Asia. Praise God that the COVID-19 situation in Cambodia is getting better! Staff in that office were able to gather in person last week for a prayer retreat and be refreshed by each other’s presence. But please continue to be in prayer for our staff in Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar where cases are rising; pray that vaccinations will become available for staff, their families and our clients.
IJM HQ & Global Partners
IJM global headquarters is located in the United
States. IJM has Partner Offices in Australia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, South Korea, Switzerland, the
Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Please pray for a great media outlet to partner with OneRepublic for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, to showcase footage of their discussion with IJM staff about human trafficking. Pray that doors will be opened and the mission of IJM will be placed on the hearts of the right individuals.
The updates we share on survivors or their cases can become sensitive over time. To respect and protect
them, please refrain from posting these prayer requests online.
