shield arrow-simple-alt-top arrow-simple-alt-left arrow-simple-alt-right arrow-simple-alt-bottom facebook instagram linkedin medium pinterest rss search-alt twitter video-play arrow-long-right arrow-long-left arrow-long-top arrow-long-bottom arrow-simple-right arrow-simple-left arrow-simple-bottom readio arrow-simple-top speaker-down plus minus cloud hb pin camera globe cart rotate star edit arrow-top arrow-right arrow-left arrow-bottom check search close square speaker-up speaker-mute return play pause love

LIMITED-TIME MATCH: Your loving gift will be matched to pursue justice and support for survivors.

I WANT TO SHOW WOMEN I CARE

Bar in Cebu is Shut Down after Employees Convicted for Trafficking

CEBU, PHILIPPINES – A heavy chain today locks the doors of the Red Lips bikini bar in Cebu, Philippines. The bar was permanently shut down last week. Just a few weeks ago, as American families sat down to their Thanksgiving meal, officials halfway around the world gave thanks for shutting down a bar that trafficked girls and women in Cebu, Philippines. IJM had assisted with the original rescue operation, and staff were on-site for the momentous occasion.

The closure was a major victory. Three years ago, 26 young women were rescued from this bar, Red Lips, located on a street known for its trendy nightlife. Since then, charges have been pressed against the traffickers who had frequented this bar. In October, three bar managers were finally convicted and sentenced to life in prison. All the while, the bar has remained open. Until now.
"I’m really happy to know about [the conviction],” one survivor named Raina* told her IJM social worker. She added, "But my happiness will be completed when I know that [the bar] will be completely closed.”

It happened on Thursday, November 26. Government officials locked the bar door with a heavy chain—no more trafficking would happen here. Thanks to the Cebu City Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (a coalition of government agencies and NGOs) and the Mayor’s office, the official closure came just one month after the convictions—a fast time frame.

IJM Philippines National Director Jesse Rudy commended the collaboration that resulted in meaningful justice: "It is a fine example of the public justice system working together to protect Cebu’s citizens from sexual exploitation. Sex trafficking has significant consequences for the persons who engage in it and the establishments who employ them. Our hope is that, as these costs are realized, this horrible form of abuse will stop.”

Posted on December 15, 2015

You might also be interested in…

see more

Newsletter Sign Up

Stay connected to the work! Sign up to get updates straight to your inbox.

Media Contact

We're here to answer your questions. Please fill out the form below and someone from our team will follow up with you soon.

Make an Impact

Your skills, talents, and ideas are a force for change. From birthday parties to polar dips, your fundraising campaign can stop the violence.

Learn More

Thank you for signing up to learn more about starting a fundraiser. We will be in touch soon!

In the meantime, please take a look at our free guide: 25 Tips for the Novice Fundraiser.

Need Help?

Need more information?
We're here to help.
Contact us at events@ijm.ca