Gordon O. Matheson

Community and International Work Details

• Project Title:  International Justice Mission
• Topic/emphasis:  Justice, opression, violence, exploitation, slavery.
• Partnering Organization(s):  Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Populations Served:  Bonded slaves, forced prostitution.
• Location:  International
• Specific Location:  Washington DC
• This an ongoing project:  Yes
• There are opportunities for student involvement in work:  No
• Description:  International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that rescues victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery, and oppression. Founded in 1997, IJM began operations after a group of human rights professionals, lawyers and public officials launched an extensive study of the injustices witnessed by overseas missionaries and relief and development workers. This study, surveying more than 65 organizations and representing 40,000 overseas workers, uncovered a nearly unanimous awareness of abuses of power by police and other authorities in the communities where they served. Without the resources or expertise to confront the abuse and to bring rescue to the victims, these overseas workers required the assistance of trained public justice professionals. Accordingly, IJM was established to help fill this void, acting as an organization that stands in the gap for victims when they are left without an advocate. IJM staff members (human rights experts, attorneys and law enforcement professionals) receive case referrals from, and work in conjunction with, other non-governmental organizations and casework alliances abroad. The four-fold purpose of IJM is Victim Relief - Relieve the victim of the abuse currently being committed; Perpetrator Accountability - Bring accountability and just consequences under the law to the specific perpetrator(s) of abuse; Structural Prevention - Prevent the abuse from being committed against others who are also at risk by strengthening community factors that are likely to deter potential oppressors, reduce the vulnerability of at-risk populations and empower local authorities to stop such abuses; Victim Aftercare - Provide access to services to help victims transition to their new lives and to encourage long-term success.