Slavery is illegal almost everywhere – but today an estimated 40.3 million children, women and men are trapped as slaves around the world.

With a focus on aftercare, IJM Canada hopes you can join us on November 20th to learn more about our work in the Philippines where we combat cybersex trafficking of children.

Cybersex trafficking is the live-streaming sexual exploitation of children viewed over the internet. Paedophiles and predators anywhere in the world can now search online and wire a secure payment to an adult who sets up the show. Boys and girls—some under 2 years old—are abused or forced to perform sex acts in front of a webcam. The more abusive the show, the more the customer pays.

IJM is working with Philippine authorities and foreign law enforcement to protect children in the Philippines, but also to develop a replicable model that can stop cybersex trafficking from spreading globally. This includes the aftercare program which gives survivors the support and tools they need to heal and to thrive.

At the age of 10, Joy didn’t fully understand what was happening to her. The abuse continued for years, though, and as she grew older, she came to understand. As the horrible reality dawned on her, she remembers, “I wondered if a brighter future was possible for me.”

What Joy didn’t know was that people were looking for her. IJM’s team in Cebu was working with Philippine law enforcement to prevent her trafficker from exploiting Joy and other children. IJM supported police to arrest Joy’s boss and rescue 16 victims, including Joy.

Seven years after her abuse began, police rescued Joy and arrested her boss. At first, Joy was scared and unsure of what was happening to her. But IJM’s social workers explained why she was there—that she was free from abuse at the hands of her boss.

One thing is obvious to the IJM staff who know and love Joy: Her past is no match for her strength and resilience. As she moved into a long-term aftercare shelter, she remembered her dream of going to school: “When I was younger, I always asked God that I want to finish my education. That was my prayer. Due to my family’s financial problem, I thought it would be impossible.”

In her aftercare home, Joy found the love and support she needed to heal, move forward in strength, grow in confidence and pursue her goals. But Joy didn’t stop at chasing her own dreams—she’s inspiring and encouraging others to do the same.

She says, “I am inspired by the social workers who don’t stop helping survivors like me. I am so inspired by how they try to be strong for the clients they serve. I too have a passion to help survivors see that there is hope after rescue, and that there are people who can help us if we let them.”

Through aftercare, Joy also found the courage to testify against her trafficker in court. “Seeking justice for me is very important. It’s like freeing the heart of those being victimized. I wanted to seek justice not just for myself but to all the others whom she victimized,” Joy says.

The trial against “Boss” is ongoing, but IJM lawyers are relentless in ensuring that she is held accountable.