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IJM launches new satellite office to combat child trafficking in Samar
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Monday, 01 June 2009

SAMAR, Philippines – On Thursday, May 21, International Justice Mission launched a critical new program to combat child sex trafficking in Western Samar. At the official launch event, IJM was joined in celebrating the hope of this vital new project by U.S. Embassy staff and key partners in the Philippine government, along with international organizations including UNICEF and Plan International and many local NGOs.

Top:Attendees dance to an original song about eradicating trafficking in Samar, composed for the program launch by a local musician.
Bottom:IJM Manila Field Office Director Carmela Andal-Castro (far right) and local officials cut the ribbon signifying the Samar program launch.

IJM established this anti-trafficking office in Samar, a rural province of the Philippines, in January 2009 with the goal of crippling existing trafficking routes in the region, as well as providing support to rescued trafficking survivors who have been reintegrated into their home communities in the region.

Samar is struggling with a serious trafficking crisis: From 2002 to 2009, 913 trafficking victims served by the Philippines’ Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine National Police and local NGOs were from Samar. Traffickers lure women and girls from the rural area to the metropolitan centers in Cebu and Manila.

Over 300 participants attended the launch of the IJM Samar Satellite Office, during which a local teenager unforgettably shared her own story, recounting the lies of the trafficker who lured her from Samar to Manila. Contrary to her trafficker’s promises, she ended up working at a bar that prostituted women and children against their will. Eventually, she was rescued by the local police in conjunction with IJM.

“I am so grateful that IJM and the authorities were there to help me escape that life. Now I am given the chance to pursue university studies, and I advocate to protect other young girls who are in the same place I was. I am so glad that IJM now has an office here in Samar to protect other children,” she said.

The Samar Satellite Office will work to prevent the recruitment of children in Samar for sexual exploitation by raising awareness in communities and working closely with the public justice system to hold traffickers accountable. The office will also support the government in providing strong aftercare services for trafficking survivors.

The project is possible because of a two-year grant from the U.S. Department of State. “The struggle against human trafficking is a high priority for the U.S. government and the American people, and we are pleased to support the efforts of International Justice Mission to combat human trafficking in the Philippines, including through their new field office in Samar,” said Michael Pignatello, Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. “IJM is using a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of State to work with victims to file cases in court against human traffickers, and to train and educate Philippine law enforcement and other public officials on ways to combat this heinous crime.”

On March 29, 2009 the staff from the Samar Satellite Office assisted with their first victim rescue. Local authorities intercepted three minors and two adult women who were being trafficked to Manila. IJM staff members were on hand to provide aftercare for the victims and transport them to a government aftercare home. Charges have been brought against the two perpetrators by a police officer who has undergone an anti-trafficking training led by IJM.

“We are overwhelmed with the support that we received from the government and non-government sectors here in Samar,” said Carmela-Andal Castro, Director of IJM Manila. “This is a strong and encouraging signal that we all have had enough of the deception and exploitation that the recruiters are committing against the precious children from this province. We are committed to working closely with the communities, government and especially the survivors of child sex trafficking here in Samar. We will not stop until we see an end to this horrible violation of children’s rights.”
 
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