International Justice Mission Launches New Program to Combat Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Bangladesh

Bangladesh — Today, International Justice Mission (IJM), one of the world’s largest anti-slavery organizations, announced the launch of a new program office in Bangladesh to combat the country’s widespread commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). With tens of thousands of children estimated to be exploited at any given time - many in brothels, massage parlors, and private homes - the need for urgent protection and justice is clear.

Based on extensive literature review, interviews with stakeholders, and IJM’s previous experience addressing CSEC in other countries, IJM estimates that 20-50% of people in the sex trade in Bangladesh are children - which means potentially 40,000 to 100,000 children being sold at any one time. The Government of Bangladesh has welcomed IJM’s proven model and approved its five-year plan to combat child trafficking.

By partnering with local governments, IJM has helped reduce violence by up to 85% in nine other regions. Launching a new program office in Bangladesh marks a significant milestone in the fight against child sexual exploitation and human trafficking in the region.

"Sex trafficking of children is not a distant problem – it is happening every day, in communities across Bangladesh. The level of violence endured by children in these cases is among the most severe we have encountered, but this will not deter us. We have seen this kind of violence before in other program offices, and we know how to stop it: by consistently implementing the laws and helping the justice system to effectively respond and to better protect children," said Claire Wilkinson, IJM Regional Vice President, South Asia.

Over the last 20 years, IJM has helped authorities bring Bangladeshi cross-border trafficking victims to safety from abuse across South Asia and Southeast Asia. Now, that experience is being brought in-country. Building on proven anti-trafficking strategies from Cambodia, India, and the Philippines, IJM’s Bangladesh team will partner with the government, local organizations, and survivor leaders to rescue children, hold traffickers accountable, support survivors, and strengthen the justice system.

"Leaders across the government, civil society organizations, and survivor leader groups are excited with the arrival of IJM to Bangladesh. IJM’s global experience will surely help us fight internal CSEC. We are hoping to closely partner, collaborate, and take forward IJM mission and vision in Bangladesh," said Md. Al Amin Noyon, President, Anirban Survivor's Voice (A Bangladeshi trafficking survivor's Network) & TIP Hero Award Winner.

In its first phase, IJM’s program will focus on a comprehensive study of the current state of sexual exploitation of children in Bangladesh. These findings will guide urgent, targeted interventions to expose the hidden nature of this crime and ensure an effective, trauma-informed response.

"The time to act is now," Wilkinson emphasized. "Every day and night, many children in Bangladesh suffer unimaginable abuse. But in the future, with the right systems in place – and with public and support – those children will instead be safe and free."

About International Justice Mission
International Justice Mission partners with local authorities in 33 program offices in 19 countries to combat slavery, violence against women and children and police abuse of power. IJM’s mission is to protect 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. Learn more at: IJM.org.