ORGANIZATION:
International Justice Mission (IJM) – Mumbai & Kolkata
International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that rescues victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery, and oppression. IJM documents and monitors conditions of abuse and oppression, educates the church and public about the abuses, and mobilizes intervention on behalf of victims.
Mumbai and Kolkata have established government homes and aftercare homes for freed victims of sex trafficking and forced prostitution. IJM conducts training sessions at these homes, as well as at hospitals and for police officials to equip them to recognize and investigate cases of sex trafficking and sexual abuse, and secure the needed evidence to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In the first six months of 2007, IJM has secured charges against 30 abusers, and ten have been convicted.
IJM social workers provide ongoing support to aftercare home partners through vocational training, counseling services, provision of items (“care kits”), support of personnel, security, and training.
Kolkata is located in West Bengal, where the West Bengal Police College requested IJM train more than 30 of their police trainers on sex trafficking investigation techniques. An IJM law enforcement consultant with expertise in police training taught a one-week training class on IJM’s methodology of investigation. This translated to these 30 trainers teaching the same material to over 800 new police candidates who will be working with local police. These training materials are now standard elements in the West Bengal Police training curriculum.
Additionally, police officials’ active role in IJM-planned sting operations has encouraged them to conduct at least one sting operation independently. The officers in Mumbai indicated that they had never done a trafficking sting operation prior to working with IJM. The police received news coverage when the Times of India picked up the story. IJM is thrilled with the police’s replication of their sting operation and investigative techniques, as this was an outcome which was not anticipated for several years.
Mumbai Field Office Highlights
IJM conducts almost nightly investigations into the brothels of Mumbai to determine where girls are being held against their wills and gain evidence against the perpetrators. IJM conducts these investigations with a team of four investigators, 11 operatives, and seven informants – all of whom are Indian.
IJM’s legal team has trained police officials on various provisions of law and ensured submission of accurate and truthful first-information reports in IJM cases. They have educated judges and prosecutors on proper provisions of law and courtroom procedure. Successful appeals have been brought to High Court of Bombay. The exciting news is that the legal system is actually starting to work more efficiently and effectively for all.
Kolkata Field Office Highlights
IJM in Kolkata has mobilized 15 like-minded organizations to combat trafficking and forced prostitution, including Justice Ventures International, Muki Network and Hagar International.
The government in Kolkata began a non-formal school for girls (home for aftercare) in Liluah, where 60 girls attend classes daily. IJM is partnering to support this home, and has provided physical upgrades such as repainting a unit, providing 30 beds with bedding and curtains for the dormitory, and 236 sets dishes for girls)
At the Sukanya Government Home, IJM provided a dining table and chairs where they’d previously had none, and took 58 girls on a day trip to an amusement park.
Expected Results / Outcomes
IJM Mumbai & IJM Kolkata aim to stop child prostitution by arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators, and freeing women and girls from sex trafficking.
Victims of forced prostitution will be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society, facilitated by IJM social workers and local support agencies. Aftercare following their release from sex trafficking rings will help restore dignity and confidence to the victims.
IJM seeks to bring the perpetrators to justice through fines, jail time, and closures of businesses so there is a price to pay for their illegal activities and protecting other potential victims through the deterrent power of justice in their communities.
Organization: International Justice Mission (IJM) – Mumbai & Kolkata
Email: Mumbai – amartinez@ijm.org; Kolkata – dgerrerd@ijm.org
Phone: 615.299.5438 (Michelle Conn)
Contact: Mumbai – Aaron Martinez; Kolkata – Don Gerrerd
Date Established: Mumbai – 2000 (first overseas office); Kolkata – late 2006.
Contact for Request: Michelle Conn
Email: mconn@ijm.org
Geographic Region: Asia >> India >> Mumbai & Kolkata
Program Area: Justice
For giving to this ministry through a U.S. Organization, please contact the following:
Contact: Bob Norsworthy
Email: Bob@NFFoundation.org
Request Amount: $1,349,955.00 for 2007
NFF Funding: $15,750.00
Other Funding: $694,000.00
Balance: $640,205.00
The Newman Family Foundation |
