IJM Senior Vice President of Justice Operations Sharon Cohn was called on to testify at the House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing “International Trafficking in Persons: Taking Action to Eliminate Modern Day Slavery” on October 18. The Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Tom Lantos (D- CA), heard from expert witnesses as it prepared legislation to reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Fellow witnesses included Ms. Barbara Shailor of the AFL-CIO trade union federation, the Right Reverend Monsignor Franklyn M. Casale, President of St. Thomas University and Chair of the Human Rights Institute of the St. Thomas School of Law, and trafficking survivor Ms. Zipora Mazengo.

This Christmas, as you choose meaningful gifts for family members, friends, colleagues, clients, teachers and others in your life, consider giving the Gift of Freedom. Your gift can bring security, hope and dignity to victims of oppressive violence, while introducing others to the work of IJM. Instead of another sweater or box of chocolates, your gift can provide loving aftercare for victims of sexual violence, undercover investigation into slavery, or legal representation in court for a victim of illegal detention. IJM’s new 2007 Holiday Gift Catalog features the following items: