What does International Justice Mission do in Canada?
As an international organization, we are often asked, but what do you do in Canada? In Canada, we focus on three things: awareness, fundraising and advocacy.
Fundraising
IJM Canada raises millions of dollars every year in support of our global efforts to end modern slavery and violence.
The funds raised by Canadians are distributed across the 19 countries where we have programs. On the ground, our teams of lawyers, social workers, psychologists, investigators and advocates are working to bring rescue, safety and restoration to victims of violence.
Which is why IJM’s ten advancement offices are full of passionate professionals responsible for securing the funds needed to protect 500 million people from violence. Canada is part of this global team of fundraisers, alongside Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Fundraising requires quality reporting, data, sharing stories of impact and hosting events. We are grateful to all the Canadians like you, who have partnered with us to ensure that we are able to fulfill our mission. Thanks to your generosity, IJM is able to help bring safety to thousands of individuals year after year.
Awareness
Modern slavery, exploitation and violence can be difficult topics to speak about. They can be sensationalized in the news, or simply not covered at all.
At IJM Canada, part of our job is to raise awareness and educate Canadians on the realities of these crimes. We are often invited to speak on community panels, teach classes on human rights and present at conferences. We share about the important role that the justice system plays in keeping communities safe and why trauma-informed interventions are critical.
We are often invited to join faith communities and share ways that they can be involved in the global fight for justice. The Canadian church has been extremely receptive to IJM’s work and posture, and has joined with IJM to host Freedom Sundays, Advent Rescue Offerings, and elevate the voices of survivor leaders.
Sometimes we host events to share research on the prevalence of violence and best practices to protect children online. At other times we partner with a trusted organization to run awareness campaigns for important moments like International Women’s Day. Events like Resilience and our virtual trips are ways Canadians can engage virtually with our teams around the world.
Twice a year, IJM Canada hosts a weeklong trip to visit our field offices. Participants have the chance to experience firsthand how their support is sending rescue and restoration. The intentional time together helps build strong relationships between Canada and our work around the world, showing the importance of strong justice systems and that healing and restoration for victims of violence is possible. These trips typically happen in February/March and August, you can email tripscanada@ijm.ca to learn more.
Advocacy
Human trafficking is a global issue that occurs in nearly every country around the world. That’s what makes advocacy with the Canadian government on topics of modern slavery, violence, and online sexual exploitation so important – not just for Canadians but for communities everywhere.
Our Canadian advocacy team will speak up on legislation that has global impact like Canada’s Modern Slavery Act and recent online safety legislation. Ensuring that Canadian laws help provide protection to vulnerable people everywhere and stop Canadians from harming vulnerable people.
We are also part of several advocacy coalitions where we can rally with and learn from dozens of international development organizations in Canada. We strive to be a strong contributor within Cooperation Canada and Kentro Network, speaking up on behalf of those experiencing violence and exploitation.
Besides lobbying Members of Parliament, IJM’s Canadian and global staff also meet with Public Safety Canada, Global Affairs Canada, the Ontario Provincial Police and Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In each of these meetings we share research and best practices from our programs around the world and explore opportunities to work together.
Everything we do and advocate for in Canada is tied to protecting 500 million people globally from violence.
Fundraising, awareness and advocacy, that’s what we do in Canada. We hope you will help amplify our work across the country so together, we can help bring protection to millions of children, women and men around the world.
Want to get involved with any of these three areas? Email info@ijm.ca to dive deeper with IJM Canada.