PHILIPPINES — International Justice Mission (IJM) today launches 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. 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*, now adults, are survivor advocates who are bravely sharing their stories to spark stronger international action against online sexual exploitation of children.

Ruby* shared:

I felt disgusted by every action I was forced to do just to satisfy customers online,. 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 launch starts two days after the three-day Global Resolve Against Online Sexual Exploitation of Children: A Global Virtual Summit. The summit ran from November 18 to 20 and gathered stakeholders and experts across disciplines. IJM anticipates continuous cross-sharing of promising practices to combat this crime through international law enforcement collaborations, innovations in prosecution and aftercare, and partnerships with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) 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 combating online sexual exploitation of children. -- Atty. Samson Inocencio Jr., Vice President of IJM Global Hub Against Online Sexual Exploitation of Children.

Online Sexual Exploitation of Children

• The average victim is 11 years old.
• About 9 in 10 children sexually abused for profit are girls.
• 4 in 5 traffickers are the children’s biological parents or relatives.
• The Philippines has the highest number of known cases of livestreamed child sexual abuse worldwide.
• Livestreaming child sexual exploitation has become so prevalent that the UK National Crime Agency now considers it one of today’s emerging threats to children.

The campaign begins today and ends December 11, 2020. People interested to donate can do so at www.ijm.org/readytofight.

For more information on IJM and the fight to end online sexual exploitation of children, please visit: https://www.ijm.org/stories/online-sexual-exploitation-of-children-hidden-in-plain-sight.

Please also consider signing an urgent petition against a proposed law which would stop the use of technology that helps identify child sexual exploitation online.

About reporting online sexual exploitation of children: Contact the Philippine National Police — Women Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) at (032) 410-8483 (Visayas) or 0917-180-6307 / 0928-604-6425 (Mindanao).

About International Justice Mission International Justice Mission (IJM) is a global organization that protects people in poverty from violence by rescuing victims, bringing criminals to justice, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and helping local law enforcement build a safe future that lasts.

For inquiries contact: Evelyn Pingul Director of Brand, Media and Communications IJM Global Hub Against Online Sexual Exploitation of Children [email protected]

Lydia Bowden Director of Strategic Partnerships IJM Asia Pacific Region [email protected]