John,

My name is Raysi and I’m one of International Justice Mission’s lawyers in the Dominican Republic who defends and protects children trapped in the country’s sex trafficking industry.

Today, I’m emailing you to invite you into a growing community of people eager to build a safer, more just world for people trapped in violence and human trafficking. For this September only, when you invest in the work of rescue each month, every dollar will be matched up to $300,000 for an entire year! 

This monthly support of Freedom Partners means everything for women and children in the Dominican Republic who often have no one to protect them.

I’ve seen it all on the ground in the Dominican Republic. The country is a popular tourist destination known for its sandy beaches and natural beauty. But it’s also become a hotspot for a sinister kind of tourism: the trafficking of young women and children sold for sex to tourists on the streets.

Miranda* was one of those children.

Her case changed everything. For her. For me. And for the Dominican Republic’s justice system. Let me tell you why.

Miranda lost her parents as a young teen. From there, she was moved from relative to relative and sold aluminum cans to survive. When an older man took notice and tried to befriend her, it seemed like an opportunity to be taken care of for a change. Instead, he started selling her on the streets of Santo Domingo to other men.

There was no one to step in and protect her at the time. But because Freedom Partners are wholeheartedly committed to protecting people in poverty from violence, we could find Miranda and start her on her path to healing and justice.

Become a Freedom Partner to protect children like Miranda.

Miranda’s perpetrator was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison. This was the first conviction for our IJM office and one of only a handful of convictions like these in the Dominican Republic in the past decade. This case became a monument for us as we continued seeking justice for women and children trapped in trafficking and violence.

Since then, we have trained more than 2,000 police officers and partners and have seen more convictions where laws were previously not enforced. As a result, this justice system is growing stronger and stronger so that one day it can protect everyone—including children like Miranda.

All of this shows that, together, we can build a world where everyone can live safely in freedom. You can be the difference in a world where injustice is everywhere from wherever you are. Commit to standing up for children like Miranda.

When you become a Freedom Partner to fuel our mission monthly, you make it possible for me to represent children like Miranda and defend her in court. But our work does not end in the court, litigating cases for survivors.

Together with people like you, we work until we see a more just and safe world for everyone everywhere. And when you join us in this global fight for justice by September 30, we can build that world twice as fast.

If you join us as a Freedom Partner this September, your monthly gifts are matched all year, sending:

• double the rescue to children like Miranda who need protection
• double the aftercare to get her started on her journey to healing
• and double the support to ensure we can defend her in court against her abuser — and go on to dream for her future in freedom!

Please join this incredible community working together to build a safe future that lasts for everyone. You won’t regret helping many others like Miranda find their freedom and thrive in it!

Together, let’s do justice!

Until all are free,
Raysi Marte