WHO ARE WE?

In His Image Justice Coalition is a justice-focused anti-trafficking nonprofit that advocates for equitable consequences for buyers and for changing cultural attitudes toward buying people.

WHAT IS OUR MISSION?

To mobilize the church and community to protect the vulnerable from human trafficking

WHAT IS OUR VISION?

IHIJC’s vision is a world without trafficking, where the most vulnerable are valued and protected by all.

WHAT IS OUR GOAL?

Our goal is to end human trafficking through an emphasis on reducing the demand and educating the community.

WHAT IS OUR HISTORY?

IHIJC began in February, 2016, as a team of concerned people at First Baptist Church of Mt Holly, that met to formulate a plan to host an A21 Walk for Freedom. Compelled by the inherent evil of human trafficking and shocked by its presence right in our own backyard, we set out to do something. The enthusiasm of this initial group drove the team to plan other events in addition to the Walk for Freedom. Reaching out to partner with other churches and community organizations, In His Image Justice Coalition (IHIJC) was born. Some of the most proven and effective methods of traffickers to keep their victims under their control is to devalue, degrade and humiliate their victims, convincing them that they have no worth and no life other than the nightmare of the sex slave. We seek to affirm the very opposite, that each of these victims has worth beyond measure in God’s eyes, and are made in His very image. We seek for them to walk in the freedom and love that God intended for them.

WHAT MAKES IHIJC UNIQUE?

While there are many organizations in South Jersey fighting the problem of human trafficking, IHIJC’s justice-based approach is unique. Changes in law enforcement practices and cultural attitudes are addressed, empowering communities to no longer tolerate the exploitation of their children. IHIJC is working to equip communities to eliminate the underlying driver of human trafficking, the buyers, through equitable legal consequences.

WHAT PROPELS IHIJC?

Some of the most proven and effective methods traffickers use to keep their victims under their control is to devalue, degrade and humiliate their victims. Those caught in the grip of trafficking are convinced they have no worth and no life other than the nightmare of the sex slave. IHIJC affirms the very opposite: that each of these victims has worth beyond measure in God’s eyes and are made in His very image. We seek for survivors to walk in the freedom and love that God intended for them.

WHAT IS OUR PHILOSOPHY?

IHIJC has a unique calling to address the issue of human trafficking by taking the buyer out of the transaction. Our focus is to end sex trafficking in South Jersey, and we have the audacity to believe that we can! We want you to join us! We believe that human trafficking can be stopped dead in its tracks by a 3-pronged approach:
  1. Aggressive penalties for those who choose to buy sex
  2. Extensive community education that exposes the physical, mental, and emotional destruction of its victims
  3. Advocacy for resources and services for victims, rather than criminalization.
 
Community Education:
IHIJC provides awareness and trainings that expose local symptoms of human trafficking, while networking with prosecutors, legislators, and law enforcement. As a community acknowledges that human trafficking exists and learns how to recognize the signs, individuals will report suspicious activity more quickly. Victims will be rescued and criminals will be prosecuted. Understanding how trafficking happens and the nightmare endured by its victims can transform cultural attitudes that perpetuate injustice. Ultimately, we seek to create a community unwilling to tolerate the sale of human beings.
Demand “No Demand”:
Sex trafficking is fueled by the buyers. Traffickers create billions of dollars in revenue and are able to destroy vulnerable lives because SO many are willing to buy sex! The demand for sex is so high that those who would willingly sell themselves cannot meet even a fraction of the demand. Thus, unwilling participants are lured and exploited for the gratification of others. This insatiable demand for sex is fueled by cultural attitudes that “wink” at buying sex, and consider it to be a victimless crime. These cultural attitudes come from an ignorance of how human trafficking really happens and the violence and degradation experienced by its victims.
Components of a No-Demand Approach:
Comprehensive community awareness campaigns
  1. Reverse sting operations
  2. Legislation to make buying sex a fourth degree indictable crime
  3. Aggressive sentencing including jail time, fines, and community service
  4. Vehicle seizure
  5. Megan’s Law listings
  6. Letters sent to family of convicted persons advising of legal and health risks
  7. Publication and distribution of convicted person’s name and photo
  8. John education

In one study, when asked what would deter them from buying sex, 87% of buyers said having their name and photo in the paper.
Why focus on demand?
The primary cause of prostitution/sex trafficking is consumer level demand for commercial sex.
  • Buyers are easier to apprehend than traffickers. Traffickers often have highly developed networking systems that are difficult to penetrate and/or are involved with organized crime.
  • A lower standard of evidence is needed to arrest buyers. A higher standard of evidence is needed to arrest traffickers.
  • Victims may be much more willing to testify against a buyer, than they would against a trafficker, and may not need to testify if decoys are used.
  • Successfully prosecuting pimps/traffickers is difficult and costly, and convictions are rare.
  • Our history of arresting and charging victims has been ineffective.
As long as there’s a demand, there’s going to be supply. Chief W.L. Harman, Princeton, West Virginia Police Department, 2010.

WHAT IS OUR MOTIVATION?

Some of the most proven and effective methods traffickers use to keep their victims under their control is to devalue, degrade and humiliate their victims. Those caught in the grip of trafficking are convinced they have no worth and no life other than the nightmare of the sex slave. IHIJC affirms the very opposite: that each of these victims has worth beyond measure in God’s eyes and are made in His very image. We seek for survivors to walk in the freedom and love that God intended for them.

WHAT IS OUR DREAM?

We, at In His Image Justice Coalition, dream of a world without trafficking, where the vulnerable are valued, protected, and lifted up, where the community refuses to live side by side with violence and the degradation of others. We dream of a world where there is no demand for commercial sex. We dream of a community informed to recognize the signs of trafficking, and mobilized to report suspicious activity. We dream of children who are informed of the dangers of trafficking and are able to protect themselves, and of parents, teachers, medical workers, etc. who are also well informed and on the lookout for exploitation, and are willing to provide the love and security that each child needs so that they don’t go looking for it elsewhere. We look to a world where little boys are brought up to value women and to refute the idea that a woman is a commodity to be used. We dream of a place where there is no poverty, no child abuse or neglect, no predators looking to exploit children for their own benefit. We look towards a future where every adult says, concerning human trafficking, “Not on my watch!”

WHAT IS OUR COMMITMENT?

In His Image Justice Coalition is committed to support law enforcement, prosecutors, and legislators in the fight against human trafficking. We desire to listen to and understand the barriers and complexities inherent to this problem. By establishing dialogue, creating educational campaigns, and raising funds for increased law enforcement efforts, we are determined to meet this need with real solutions. IHIJC’s aim, through ongoing research, is to identify cities and municipalities that have successfully implemented a No Demand approach, and from their successes and failures, to create guidelines for a pilot program that can be implemented in Burlington County.

PARTNERSHIPS

IHIJC is a supporting organization of:

A21 CAMPAIGN

IHIJC has served as a host site for Walk for Freedom since 2015, proudly supporting A21’s global anti-trafficking efforts.

RVN STUDIOS

IHIJC is partnering with RVN Studios to provide public service announcements about human trafficking to educate our communities. RVN is graciously absorbing the costs.

NEW PERSPECTIVES TALK SHOW

IHIJC has been thrilled to be invited to share about human trafficking on this wonderful talk show multiple times, with distinguished guests, such as NJ State Senator Troy Singleton and NJ Assembly Woman Carol Murphy.

KEYSTONE OUTDOOR ADVERTISING, ADUCAT, INTERSTATE OUTDOOR BILLBOARD COMPANIES

Several billboard companies covering NJ, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, have graciously donated free billboard space to IHIJC.

ADDITIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

We are thankful for opportunities to collaborate with representatives from NJ:

    • State Senator Troy Singleton’s office
    • US Senator Bob Menendez’s office
    • US Congressman Chris Smith’s office
    • Assembly Woman Jean Stanfield

 

We are thankful for new opportunities with:

    • Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina
    • Keith Reynolds – owner of RVN studios
    • Barry Lefkowitz – host of New Perspectives

 

We are also thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with:

  • Mt. Holly Clergy Association
  • Soroptimists International of Rancocas Valley
  • American Baptist Women
  • John Woolman Memorial
  • First Baptist Church of Mt. Holly
  • Second Baptist Church of Mt. Holly
  • Mt. Holly Friends Society
  • Eagle Eye Ministries
  • Easton Bible Church
  • Life Center Academy
  • St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
  • Lumberton United Methodist Church
  • Mt. Holly United Methodist Church
  • Mt. Holly Seventh Day Adventist Church
  • St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
  • St. Vincent de Paul Society
  • CTS, Children’s Continuum of Care

We invite further collaboration with your organization. Please contact us!

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