MUMBAI—IJM operatives have rescued seven trafficking victims from a Mumbai brothel in which they were routinely beaten, confined and involuntarily sold as prostitutes for as little as 150 rupees or $3.00 U.S. each.

The victims were removed from the brothel premises on April 1, when IJM rescue workers and local police conducted an operation at the building. The targeted brothel keeper, against whom evidence had already been collected, was found inside the building, caught off-guard by the appearance of the police and holding a wad of cash. She was arrested immediately.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Last month, IJM Manila staff launched a new art therapy program for victims of child abuse and sexual exploitation. The new program’s first session, which was led by prominent art educator Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco, gave 21 of IJM’s clients a chance to express their creativity and learn the basic principles of drawing and painting. Only a handful of the participants had ever held a paintbrush before, and the excitement was palpable as each girl concentrated on painting her canvas.

Justice prevails in a Honduran court as the murderers of a human rights lawyer are sentenced for their crimes

TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS - On March 19, 2009, the two gunmen responsible for the murder of lawyer Dionisio Díaz García were sentenced for their crimes to 20 years and six months and 21 years imprisonment, respectively. Dionisio was an advocate for the poor of Honduras through International Justice Mission’s casework alliance partner in the country, Asociación para una Sociedad más Justa (Association for a More Just Society).

CHENNAI, INDIA – On February 21, 2009, a team of IJM aftercare staff and local social work students conducted a community event celebrating education with former slaves and their children in a village near Chennai. IJM aftercare staff had been working with released victims living in the village when the local school principal brought it to IJM’s attention that the village had an unusually high school drop-out rate.