On the morning of June 26, 2004, six-year-old Hope* was walking to her mother’s grocery stand in the company of her sister. As they passed through a bushy area, the girls were accosted by a familiar male neighbor. He dragged Hope into the thicket and sexually assaulted her as her sister ran to their mother’s stand for help.

Mamasan previously eluding police is captured outside Svay Pak, Cambodia

Several years ago, IJM supported a police operation that leveled a fatal strike against the trafficking of children in Svay Pak, Cambodia. Since then, a small number of brothels offering children have been established, each prompting swift efforts by IJM and police to ensure that the girls are rescued and the perpetrators are brought to justice. One such case went to trial in March 2007. IJM investigative evidence helped to convict five perpetrators, who were sentenced to prison terms of seven, 10, 13, 15 and 15 years respectively. Three of the perpetrators were ordered to pay compensation to the victims.

Thirteen-year-old girl forced to work off father’s debt returns to school

In October 2006, when Jamilah’s* parents left their village to visit their other daughter, a strange man came and told 13-year-old Jamilah that her father owed him a small debt, so she needed to come with him in his place. Jamilah tried to resist, but the man slapped her and threatened to kill her if she did not go with him. This stranger then forced Jamilah to accompany him to a brick kiln where she was forced to work daily from six in the morning until five in the evening for a wage of less than 40 cents per day.

IJM’s casework alliance partner in Peru continues to lead police to apprehend violent suspects who abuse women and girls

Paz y Esperanza, IJM’s casework alliance partner in Peru, worked with police in the town of Ambo to track down Roberto Carlos Antonio Cajas more than two years after a warrant was issued for his arrest in the rape of a 19-year-old woman in October 2005. After his arrest on May 7, Roberto Carlos Antonio Cajas was transferred to the Potracancha jail, where he awaits trial.