Impact
Oct 14, 2025

From Rescue to Reform: IJM’s Anti-Trafficking Initiative in Bangladesh

Give50 Ministry Partner, International Justice Mission (IJM), launches an exciting initiative in Bangladesh.
From Rescue to Reform: IJM’s Anti-Trafficking Initiative in Bangladesh

At Inspire, we believe investing should do more than avoid harm; it should inspire transformation.

Through our Give50 program, Inspire Investing donates 50% of lifetime net profits from management fees to support impactful Christian ministries. One of those ministries is International Justice Mission (IJM), which just reached a major milestone.

The launch event featured keynote speakers highlighting the urgency of combatting CSEC and outlining IJM’s theory of change, as well as expert panels diving deep on the challenges faced by the Bangladesh justice system.

On September 17, 2025, IJM and the Government of Bangladesh launched Project Shurakkha (meaning “protection”) — a five-year initiative aimed at reducing commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) by at least 50% and reaching 6.5 million children.

“We have an epidemic of [abuse] on our hands, much of it commercialized, with children [abused] multiple times every day so that others may gain wealth. That is the type of crime that eats away at the very soul of a nation. But today as we launch our program, I have great hope — because this is not the end of the story.”— Claire Wilkinson, IJM Regional Vice President, Bangladesh

The launch event in Dhaka gathered over 200 stakeholders, including law enforcement, high-level government officials, survivor advocates, and justice leaders from across IJM’s global offices.

Attendees heard testimonies of transformation, panel discussions on legal reform, and celebrated the hard-won government registration that now empowers IJM to fully implement its model of protection in Bangladesh.

The 10-day training concluded with a formal closing ceremony which was attended by high-ranking authorities.

Even before the official launch, IJM made incredible progress:

  • 13 trafficking cases supported across borders
  • 27 survivors rescued and repatriated, including victims trafficked into India, Malaysia, and Thailand
  • 50+ police officers trained in anti-trafficking tactics, trauma-informed interviewing, and victim care
  • Strategic partnerships were formed with survivor collectives and NGOs to strengthen aftercare and long-term support.

Part of this progress includes the story of Fahra, a 33-year-old Bangladeshi woman trafficked to a brothel in Mumbai under false pretenses. After enduring daily abuse, she bravely escaped with help from a network of IJM staff, police, and survivor advocates. She is now free, safe, and receiving care thanks to cross-border coordination.

An international effort led to the rescue of a 33-year-old woman, Rahra, who had been trafficked from Bangladesh and sold into a brothel in India. Fahra was interviewed by IJM India staff after rescue and was connected with resources to support her recovery.

Project Shurakkha is modeled after IJM’s proven protection programs in the Philippines and India, where CSEC was reduced by 75% or more. Now, the Bangladesh team is scaling up fast:

  • Hiring 20+ new team members in a Christian-minority context
  • Launching baseline studies across four cities
  • Continuing law enforcement training and justice system reform
  • Praying for peace around the upcoming national election

“Our prayer is that this seed we are planting in Bangladesh will grow into a mighty sequoia of justice in the years to come.”

— Claire Wilkinson

Join the Movement

At Inspire, we’re honored to stand with partners like IJM and with investors and financial professionals like you who see investing as more than a transaction — but as a tool to advance God’s justice, mercy, and love in the world.

Join us in praying for these needs:

  • For continued trust to be built between IJM and the Bangladesh government and NGO partners
  • For the upcoming elections to bring reform and aid to prevent CSEC
  • For Project Shurakkha to succeed and set a precedent for new policies

Your portfolio can make an impact!

Inspire Investing’s Give50 Program donates 50% of our lifetime net profit from management fees to IJM and other Christian ministry partners. Connect with an Inspire Advisor to learn more.

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Advisory services are offered through Inspire Investing, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser with the SEC. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice and are provided for informational purposes only. Nothing in this article should be construed as an offer, solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement of any particular security, strategy, or investment product. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Please consult your financial advisor before making any investment decision. Inspire Investing integrates biblical principles into its investment philosophy through a Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) approach. This values-based methodology reflects Inspire's interpretation of Scripture and may not align with the views or beliefs of all investors.
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From Rescue to Reform: IJM’s Anti-Trafficking Initiative in Bangladesh
Impact
Oct 14, 2025

From Rescue to Reform: IJM’s Anti-Trafficking Initiative in Bangladesh

Give50 Ministry Partner, International Justice Mission (IJM), launches an exciting initiative in Bangladesh.
inspireinvesting.com/post/
from-rescue-to-reform-ijms-anti-trafficking-initiative-in-bangladesh

At Inspire, we believe investing should do more than avoid harm; it should inspire transformation.

Through our Give50 program, Inspire Investing donates 50% of lifetime net profits from management fees to support impactful Christian ministries. One of those ministries is International Justice Mission (IJM), which just reached a major milestone.

The launch event featured keynote speakers highlighting the urgency of combatting CSEC and outlining IJM’s theory of change, as well as expert panels diving deep on the challenges faced by the Bangladesh justice system.

On September 17, 2025, IJM and the Government of Bangladesh launched Project Shurakkha (meaning “protection”) — a five-year initiative aimed at reducing commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) by at least 50% and reaching 6.5 million children.

“We have an epidemic of [abuse] on our hands, much of it commercialized, with children [abused] multiple times every day so that others may gain wealth. That is the type of crime that eats away at the very soul of a nation. But today as we launch our program, I have great hope — because this is not the end of the story.”— Claire Wilkinson, IJM Regional Vice President, Bangladesh

The launch event in Dhaka gathered over 200 stakeholders, including law enforcement, high-level government officials, survivor advocates, and justice leaders from across IJM’s global offices.

Attendees heard testimonies of transformation, panel discussions on legal reform, and celebrated the hard-won government registration that now empowers IJM to fully implement its model of protection in Bangladesh.

The 10-day training concluded with a formal closing ceremony which was attended by high-ranking authorities.

Even before the official launch, IJM made incredible progress:

  • 13 trafficking cases supported across borders
  • 27 survivors rescued and repatriated, including victims trafficked into India, Malaysia, and Thailand
  • 50+ police officers trained in anti-trafficking tactics, trauma-informed interviewing, and victim care
  • Strategic partnerships were formed with survivor collectives and NGOs to strengthen aftercare and long-term support.

Part of this progress includes the story of Fahra, a 33-year-old Bangladeshi woman trafficked to a brothel in Mumbai under false pretenses. After enduring daily abuse, she bravely escaped with help from a network of IJM staff, police, and survivor advocates. She is now free, safe, and receiving care thanks to cross-border coordination.

An international effort led to the rescue of a 33-year-old woman, Rahra, who had been trafficked from Bangladesh and sold into a brothel in India. Fahra was interviewed by IJM India staff after rescue and was connected with resources to support her recovery.

Project Shurakkha is modeled after IJM’s proven protection programs in the Philippines and India, where CSEC was reduced by 75% or more. Now, the Bangladesh team is scaling up fast:

  • Hiring 20+ new team members in a Christian-minority context
  • Launching baseline studies across four cities
  • Continuing law enforcement training and justice system reform
  • Praying for peace around the upcoming national election

“Our prayer is that this seed we are planting in Bangladesh will grow into a mighty sequoia of justice in the years to come.”

— Claire Wilkinson

Join the Movement

At Inspire, we’re honored to stand with partners like IJM and with investors and financial professionals like you who see investing as more than a transaction — but as a tool to advance God’s justice, mercy, and love in the world.

Join us in praying for these needs:

  • For continued trust to be built between IJM and the Bangladesh government and NGO partners
  • For the upcoming elections to bring reform and aid to prevent CSEC
  • For Project Shurakkha to succeed and set a precedent for new policies

Your portfolio can make an impact!

Inspire Investing’s Give50 Program donates 50% of our lifetime net profit from management fees to IJM and other Christian ministry partners. Connect with an Inspire Advisor to learn more.

inspireinvesting.com/post/
from-rescue-to-reform-ijms-anti-trafficking-initiative-in-bangladesh