Thank you for walking alongside survivors!
Because you walk with IJM and our partners, victims who once thought they might never see freedom are now resilient survivors, building a restored life of their own choosing.
Just look at Samara*, a woman living in Romania.
For years, she was trapped in commercial sexual exploitation, a situation she described as “not just horror, but more than horror.”
But because she had a community of justice-seekers on her side, here in Canada and around the world, she found freedom and restoration.
She was able to meet with an IJM team who she described as “people who can really help you.” She was able to tell them everything that was on her heart, and honestly share her hopes and dreams for the rest of her life after finding freedom.
After that, her IJM social worker and team helped her set up a personalized aftercare plan, start therapy and testify in the perpetrator’s trial.
When the perpetrator was convicted for their crimes, she knew it was part of her new chapter in life. “I was so relieved. I was not afraid anymore,” she reflected.
But the relief doesn’t just stop with that one conviction! Because you and others like you walked with us, over 20 other traffickers in Europe have been convicted since 2019. That’s tangible justice you’ve helped us achieve.
Plus, over 90 other victims have been rescued or are receiving support services from IJM Europe since 2019. Like Samara, they’re working towards healing with determination and strength.
Today, Samara continues therapy and has taken steps to fulfill goals and dreams that will make a better life for her and her family. Soon, she hopes to open her own flower shop or even become a pastry chef.
No matter where her dreams will take her, one thing is for sure: she’ll be taking every step forward in freedom thanks to compassionate justice-seekers like you.