The Philippines
Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC)
Filipino Children as Young as 2 Rescued from Cybersex Trafficking
CEBU, THE PHILIPPINES – A bulky desktop computer sits unplugged on the table in a police station. It looks harmless. But it’s not. It was once used...
August 20
Sexual Violence
Young Women Rescued From ‘VIP’ Rooms at Seemingly Innocuous Bar
Four young women who were once exploited in “VIP rooms” in a seedy bar in the Philippines are now free. This past month, the local anti-trafficking...
June 27
Sexual Violence
Australian Arrested in Philippines for Abusing School Children
Michael Refalo, a 61-year-old Australian national, is now behind bars, arrested on two charges of human trafficking by Philippine authorities. The...
June 11
Sex Trafficking
IJM Training Exercise Leads to Rescue of Underage Girls
Four girls are now safe from being exploited in the local commercial sex trade, rescued by police only hours after an IJM training session. During...
May 27
Sexual Violence
Life Sentencing for American Expat Sends Strong Message to Sex Offenders Overseas
An American expat will spend the rest of his life behind bars for child sexual abuse crimes committed in the Philippines. A Los Angeles federal court...
May 19
Sex Trafficking
Massive Operation in the Philippines Shows a Country Serious about Ending Human Trafficking
Eleven suspects were arrested at a high-end entertainment bar where women and girls were being trafficked and exploited for sex in the heart of...
April 10
Sex Trafficking
IJM Pampanga Helps Rescue Young Women from Bar Under Sex Trafficking Investigation
A handwritten sign is still taped to the bar door: Gentlemen it’s time to close, it’s hotel and motel time. The message may be the last one the bar...
February 20
IJM Interns/Fellows: Top Ten Moments From 2014
IJM teams around the world are celebrating the end of a very big year. To recap, we asked some of our interns and fellows to share ten moments...
December 31
Sex Trafficking
Three Convictions In Pampanga Show A Country Serious About Stopping Trafficking
Two sex trafficking cases ended with convictions today in the Philippines. Both underscore a government serious about stopping this rampant crime....
December 16