IJM

International Justice Mission (IJM) is a global human rights organization founded in 1997 by a former U.S. Department of Justice attorney, an origin traceable to investigations into mass graves following the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The organization works to protect people from violent oppression, slavery and trafficking by partnering with local police, prosecutors and judges. Its operating premise is that victims of such crimes need legal protection and the restraint of perpetrators, rather than aid alone.

IJM's work spans several distinct disciplines: victim rescue and protection casework carried out alongside local authorities; support for criminal justice professionals in prosecuting offenders; training and capacity building for police, prosecutors and judges; and rigorous research intended to demonstrate that justice systems can be measurably strengthened. The organization reports nearly 500,000 people rescued from violence and slavery, over 8,400 perpetrators convicted, and more than 431,000 justice officials trained.

Research is central to IJM's method. Its evidence-based programme evaluation has documented reductions of up to 86% in slavery and violence in the communities where it operates. The organization employs over 1,300 professionals across 19 countries and has grown from a small team into an international operation over more than 25 years.

IJM states its mission as ending slavery in its lifetime. Its model is collaborative rather than adversarial: casework is conducted with, and intended to strengthen, the domestic justice systems of the countries in which it operates.