FAQs About Our Work
Please use the list to the right to navigate to a section or simply browse the list below. We try our best to anticipate your questions; but, if you have a question that is not included here, please contact us and we will do our best to help you.
What does IJM mean by collaborative casework?
IJM investigators, lawyers and social workers intervene in individual cases of abuse in partnership with state and local authorities in the countries in which they work. Working independently of government authorities is not an effective long-term strategy to ensure that the poor are protected from oppressors. Rather, a functioning government is the best hope for lasting change that protects the poor from oppression.
Often, abuse against vulnerable individuals persists because of weaknesses in a country’s justice system. By pushing individual cases of abuse through the justice system from the investigative stage to the prosecutorial stage, IJM determines the specific source of corruption, lack of resources, or lack of good will in the system denying victims the protection of their legal systems. In collaboration with local authorities, IJM addresses these specific points of brokenness to meet the urgent needs of victims of injustice.
Often, abuse against vulnerable individuals persists because of weaknesses in a country’s justice system. By pushing individual cases of abuse through the justice system from the investigative stage to the prosecutorial stage, IJM determines the specific source of corruption, lack of resources, or lack of good will in the system denying victims the protection of their legal systems. In collaboration with local authorities, IJM addresses these specific points of brokenness to meet the urgent needs of victims of injustice.
What does IJM mean by “structural transformation?
IJM seeks to impact the structures that allow abuse to occur in order to create lasting change, protecting vulnerable individuals from future victimization.
IJM pursues structural transformation by reducing the vulnerability of at-risk populations and providing training that empowers local authorities to stop abuse in their jurisdictions. IJM works in local communities to build social demand for professional, responsive law enforcement and judicial systems as well as build the capacity of those agencies to respond to injustice.
Pursuing perpetrator accountability also creates a strong deterrent effect for future abuse: Most perpetrators of injustice against the poor do so because they believe they will not be held accountable for their actions. Perpetrators who choose to victimize the poor simply because it appears that they can are not brave people. Even a small number of convictions can have a large impact on reducing oppression, as would-be perpetrators adjust their behaviour when the likelihood of being brought to justice and facing a potential jail sentence becomes too high.
IJM pursues structural transformation by reducing the vulnerability of at-risk populations and providing training that empowers local authorities to stop abuse in their jurisdictions. IJM works in local communities to build social demand for professional, responsive law enforcement and judicial systems as well as build the capacity of those agencies to respond to injustice.
Pursuing perpetrator accountability also creates a strong deterrent effect for future abuse: Most perpetrators of injustice against the poor do so because they believe they will not be held accountable for their actions. Perpetrators who choose to victimize the poor simply because it appears that they can are not brave people. Even a small number of convictions can have a large impact on reducing oppression, as would-be perpetrators adjust their behaviour when the likelihood of being brought to justice and facing a potential jail sentence becomes too high.
Where does IJM work?
IJM currently has ongoing operations in Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and South Asia.
IJM’s international headquarters is located in Washington, D.C. IJM Canada is one of four national affiliates of IJM that support the mission and vision of IJM, and contribute resources to its work around the world: IJM Canada, IJM UK, IJM Germany and IJM Netherlands.
What is a “Casework Alliance”?
“Casework Alliance” (CWA) describes the partnership between IJM and an independent indigenous organization whereby IJM provides financial, tactical and technical support, and maintains close relationships with the leadership and staff. IJM currently maintains Casework Alliances with Peace and Hope (Paz y Esperanza) in Peru and Ecuador, and with Association for a More Just Society (Asociación para una Sociedad más Justa) in Honduras.
Does IJM Canada take casework in Canada?
IJM Canada does not take casework in Canada, due to its mission of making under-functioning public justice systems work for the poor in the developing world.
Though injustice certainly exists in Canada, Canadians (and citizens of other countries in the developed world) benefit from a mature legal system that generally provides effective redress for abuse. This is not the case for IJM’s clients in the developing world.
Though injustice certainly exists in Canada, Canadians (and citizens of other countries in the developed world) benefit from a mature legal system that generally provides effective redress for abuse. This is not the case for IJM’s clients in the developing world.
Why is IJM not active in all countries where human rights abuses occur?
IJM’s efforts to fight injustice are primarily limited by its financial resources. However, in certain countries, government or legal structures do not currently make IJM’s casework methods feasible. IJM’s casework model of repairing broken justice systems does not work in the absence of any justice system – this prevents IJM from being most effective in war zones, for example. However, there are many other excellent NGOs that do courageous and valuable work in such situations.
What is IJM’s relationship with local governments and NGOs?
IJM Canada is a non-partisan, non-governmental, registered charitable organization. IJM operates with the governmental approval and acknowledgment in all countries in which it is active, and depends on local government and NGO partners to work successfully.
What happens to a victim after IJM intervenes in their case?
IJM partners with other local organizations and government agencies to ensure that the victims are provided with the care they need in the aftermath of abuse. Examples include:
- Homes for girls rescued from commercial sexual exploitation when they are unable to return to their families;
- Micro-enterprise opportunities for adults released from slavery so that they can support themselves;
- Post-trauma counselling for victims of sexual violence; and
- Post-incarceration counselling for victims of illegal detention.
I am an attorney and would like to help with the work of IJM. What can I do?
Although IJM's casework usually requires specialized legal and investigative skills, we often encounter projects that are ideal for volunteer professional assistance. In the past, IJM has received pro bono assistance from law firms willing to contribute their services for casework. For more information on having your law firm partner with IJM in casework, please email info@ijm.ca with your contact information, the name of your firm, and your firm's areas of expertise.
Do Canadian and American attorneys represent clients in court in overseas?
In most of the countries where IJM works, Canadian and American attorneys cannot represent clients in court. IJM employees who are members of that country’s bar association advocate on behalf of the victims.
Over 90% of IJM’s staff around the world are nationals of the countries in which they work, sensitive to the particular needs of their communities.
Over 90% of IJM’s staff around the world are nationals of the countries in which they work, sensitive to the particular needs of their communities.
Can I interview an IJM staff member?
IJM Canada staff are available for media interviews, but due to high demand, we are generally unable to provide interviews for student research projects or general information about the work.