INTERNATIONAL Justice Mission (IJM) recently launched its worldwide influencers’ campaign to end the trafficking of children for online sexual exploitation.
More than 20 influencers, including IJM Ambassador Amanda Griffin Jacob and Ryan Tedder of American pop rock band OneRepublic, have joined the campaign to raise awareness and end this borderless crime. Their combined social media following exceeds 38 million people.
The campaign “We Need You to Listen” draws on existing headlines from local and international media outlets, which highlight the need for greater global resolve to end this crime.
Survivors’ tales
In addition to influencers, three survivors of livestreamed child sexual abuse and exploitation—all of whom were rescued in IJM-supported operations as children—are contributing their own voices to the campaign. Ruby, Chang and Joy (not their real names), now adults, are survivor advocates who are bravely sharing their stories to spark stronger international action against online sexual exploitation of children.
“I felt disgusted by every action I was forced to do just to satisfy customers online,” Ruby said. “I lost my self-esteem and I felt very weak.”
Griffin Jacob said: “As IJM Ambassador and Lead Influencer in this fight against online sexual exploitation of children, I am very encouraged to see this group of global influencers come together to capture the world’s attention. Indeed, we need you to listen, lend your voices, and join the global movement to end this horrific form of violence and abuse against children.”
The campaign started after the three-day Global Resolve Against Online Sexual Exploitation of Children: A Global Virtual Summit. The summit runs from Nov. 18 to 20 and is set to gather hundreds of stakeholders and experts across disciplines.
IJM anticipated cross-sharing of promising practices to combat this crime through international law enforcement collaborations, innovations in prosecution and aftercare, and partnerships with nongovernmental organizations and the private sector.
Child sex offenders across the world are using their money to abuse and exploit children online. IJM aims to raise resources that will bring this industry down in our lifetime and protect children from this crime.
“The fight to end the online sexual exploitation of children needs individuals who can draw global attention to the problem. And today, we are grateful that more than 20 influencers, each with massive reach, stepped forward to lend their voice. The money raised through this campaign will go back to the Philippines to support IJM programming in combatting online sexual exploitation of children,” said lawyer Samson Inocencio Jr., vice president of IJM Global Hub Against Online Sexual Exploitation of Children.
The campaign will end on Dec. 11, 2020. People interested to donate can do so at www.ijm.org/readytofight.