Khaleej Times- Experts call for review of human trafficking law

The Dubai Public Prosecution’s office general attorney has admitted the UAE federal law on human trafficking is vague and is now advocating for a change.  He says the current form hindered prosecution,  did not detail acts that constituted human trafficking and was inadequate in outlining the procedures to be followed when violation was suspected.

Canadian Press-Ottawa to make sure no human trafficking problem at Olympics

The federal government is keeping an eye on Vancouver’s Olympic Games to ensure they do not further support human trafficking. Canada’s public safety minister said, “My view is that human trafficking is not a problem only at the Olympics. it’s a problem for Canada at all times at special events … we’re working with local police on the range of those issues.”

NY Daily News- She survived the horror Ex-’chica’ takes aim at trafficking

Kika Cerpa, a native of Venezuela, was lured to the United States by her boyfriend in 1993. When she arrived at age 20, her boyfriend’s cousin took her passport, her life savings and told her she had to pay off her debt by working at a brothel.  Now, Cerpa is working with the local authorities to educate the public on the dangers of force prostitution.

IJM investigator with rescued victims

As you saw – or will see – in At the End of Slavery, the work of IJM’s investigators can be dangerous. But, it is a core component to IJM’s four-fold purpose:

1. Victim Relief

2. Perpetrator Accountability

3. Victim Aftercare

4. Structural Transformation

You may have further questions on the motives, fears, hopes and work of IJM’s investigators, so we would like to offer you an opportunity to go even further undercover with these brave men and women.

If you would like to hear what makes IJM’s VP of Investigations, Jeff Blom, do this dangerous and life-changing work, please click here.

If you would like to see a photo/audio slide show that highlights the work of IJM’s investigators around the world, please do so here.

Did anything you heard stand out to you? Please share your thoughts with us, below.

The Examiner: More than 700 arrested and 50 children rescued in sting

The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced the rescue of 50 children who were the victims of child prostitution- here, in the United States. 700 other suspects were also arrested, including 60 pimps, on state and local charges over the weekend. The FBI, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and state and local law enforcement agencies contributed to the sting known as Operation Cross Country IV.

Blogomonster.com: NBC Dateline’s IJM feature exposes blogger to sex slavery

One blogger writes about sex slavery and how they first became aware of the issue.  They write, “I first became aware of the issue of human trafficking after watching a special on Dateline NBC. The program featured the work of the International Justice Mission (IJM.org), a faith-based human rights agency that seeks to free victims of human trafficking and prosecute the perpetrators. I was horrified by the issue of sexual exploitation and bonded labor. The staggering statistics broke my heart.”

The Business Mirror: Lawyers step up drive vs. human traffickers

Lawyers in the Philippines, including International Justice Mission’s Andrew Sawchenko, are hoping to put more people suspected of criminal exploitation in jail as they continue to crackdown on trafficking within the region.

Sawchenko said, “Since 2007, there has been a huge upswing in the cases filed, and we are looking forward to convictions as we need to establish that there is a significant risk so the people involved in trafficking will have a difficult business decision.”

BBC: Lords consider ’slavery’ offenses

A New parliamentary bill amendment, which aims to protect those being held under practices of servitude and forced labor, is going before the House of Lords in the UK.

Aidan McQuade, from Anti-Slavery International, said: “Forced labor will remain a reality in the UK unless adequate legislation is put in place and enforced…. The existing legal provisions fail to protect victims or ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice.”

KCAU-TV (ABC): UNL wants to become center for human trafficking research

Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln want to become the new center for research on human trafficking.  Marketing professor Dwayne Ball points out that trafficking is a problem found worldwide, including Nebraska.