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.