International Justice Mission (IJM) is a Christian affiliated, human rights agency that works with cases of slavery, sex trafficking, property seizure, police brutality, and illegal detention. While the global organization was founded in 1997 with its headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Furman Chapter of IJM was founded four years ago. Perhaps IJM’s most unique characteristic is that the personnel that rescue victims, work under the justice system of that country, as the agency’s goal is to co-exist in the nation, serving the people perhaps even despite corrupt governments. Additionally, IJM works heavily in providing aftercare for victims of slavery and sex trafficking.
Furman IJM Chapter’s primary goal is to spread awareness to students about global issues, specifically through Cultural Life Programs (CLPs). Several examples of the more recent panels include: The School of the Americas, Faces of Homelessness, Burma and the International Criminal Court, and Photography and Social Justice. The group is made up of mainly fifteen strongly committed members.
When speaking with the Acting President, Junior Sarah Grace Brooks, she said, “The most rewarding part of working with IJM at Furman has certainly been the relationships with people in the organization. Through the time of prayer at each meeting we are able to see the bigger picture, and hopefully through our work we can inform students of social injustices so there is a hope of beginning to correct them.”
Be sure to look out for events hosted by IJM in the next week, as it Justice Week on campus. Learn more about the issues with which IJM deals each day of Justice Week.
Justice Week Schedule:
Monday, March 29: Slavery and Sex Trafficking
Tuesday, March 30: Police Brutality and Property Seizure
Wednesday, March 31: Fair Trade v. Free Trade; Justice Celebration