Impact partner profile
International Justice Mission
Rescue millions, protect half a billion and make justice for people who are poor unstoppable
International Justice Mission (IJM) is a global organisation that protects people living in poverty from violence. They work to rescue victims, bring criminals to justice, and help local law enforcement build a safe future that lasts.
Partnering with local authorities in 13 countries worldwide, IJM focuses on building safe communities that protect all people. The threat of violence is part of everyday life for people who are poor; it’s as much a part of poverty as hunger, disease or homelessness. With laws not effectively enforced in many communities, criminals expect no consequences for their crimes and continue to enslave and abuse those who are poor. People in poverty are uniquely vulnerable to this violence, because while their wealthier neighbours can pay for security and safety, they cannot.
Since 1997, IJM has seen over 53,000 children, women, and men rescued from slavery and violence. As a result of their system-strengthening work, over 150 million people worldwide are protected from the forms of violence that IJM has addressed in communities. In 2019, over 3600 people were rescued by IJM, 304 criminals were restrained, 163 perpetrators convicted, and 906 survivors restored to safety and stability.
By 2030, IJM hopes to see these number increase exponentially, with half a billion people protected, and millions rescued.
Core impact goals
Rescue and restore victims
IJM’s aim is to partner with local authorities to rescue individual victims of violence and restore survivors to safety and stability.
Bring criminals to justice
Working alongside justice system officials, IJM aims to ensure that criminals are held accountable - stopping the cycle of violence and deterring others from abusing vulnerable people.
Strengthen Justice Systems
IJM’s goal is to collaborate with justice systems and community leaders to respond effectively to violence. Together, they design improvements that serve survivors, deter criminals, and dramatically decrease violence.
Scale demand for protection
IJM aims to work to convene and equip champions to advocate for protection as an essential and tangible future for everyone.
Type of grant funding given
FY2021 impact milestones
IJM aims to reach the following impact milestones over the course of Thankyou’s grant period (12 months). Here’s how they went:
Conduct 13 investigative operations (identification sweeps) in designated project areas leading to the rescue of victims trapped in bonded labour slavery.
This milestone was achieved in March 2021, with 14 identification sweeps conducted by the district administration with the assistance of the Vigilance Committee and the Released Bonded Labourers Association (RBLA) members. This involved government officials inspecting various brick kilns and rice mills in Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Vellore districts to check on migrant labourers and see if they were bonded.
Obtain a successful judicial conviction in a bonded labour case within three years of the crime being reported (first information report).
IJM’s work in Chennai was significantly affected by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, halting the court system from March 23rd to June 30th. IJM has several cases that are pending and are expecting these cases to be heard over the next few quarters.
Support a partner organisation to successfully run a case from initial rescue through to conclusion of the legal process.
IJM has partnered with multiple organisations to obtain justice for victims within the court system during the year. However, the outcome of this milestone has been delayed due to COVID-19 related impacts, impeding the progress of this milestone for this year.
Partner with local artists and cultural groups to conduct annual education campaigns to drive awareness and prevention strategies that combat bonded labour slavery.
A collaborative initiative between the police department, IJM and partner NGOs resulted in the implementation of ‘Project Shield’. ‘Project Shield’ is an evidence-based policing model to combat crime and create safe and violence-free communities for women and children in Trichy Range. As part of Project Shield in Trichy, the cultural troupe ‘Mugavari Kalaikuzhu’ created an awareness campaign using street theatre across Trichy Range. Performances addressed crime against women and children, bonded labour and human trafficking. The campaign was a success, reaching thousands of people in vulnerable communities.
