Messaging Guidelines

Mission

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.

Vision

Our 2030 Vision is to rescue millions, protect half a billion and make justice unstoppable.

Boilerplate

International Justice Mission is a global organization that protects people in poverty from violence. IJM partners with local authorities in 20 program offices in 13 countries* to combat slavery, violence against women and children, and police abuse of power against people who are poor. IJM works to rescue and restore victims, hold perpetrators accountable, and help strengthen public justice systems. Learn more at

IJM.org.⁠

⁠

The Problem: Everyday violence

The threat of violence is part of everyday life for people who are poor. It’s as much a part of poverty as hunger, disease or homelessness. This is not the violence of war or genocide, but common, criminal violence that is already against the law—crimes like slavery, violence against women and children and police abuse of power.

In many communities, criminals expect no consequences for these crimes. Laws are not effectively enforced, so they continue to enslave and abuse people who are poor. People in poverty are uniquely vulnerable to this violence, because while their wealthier neighbors can pay for security and safety, they cannot.

Our Solution

In the face of this abuse, IJM and our partners protect people in poverty from violence. We collaborate with local authorities to build communities where all people can expect to be safe and protected.

IJM and Our Partners:

Strengthen Justice Systems

Rescue and Restore Victims

Bring Criminals to Justice

Scale Demand for Protection

Communicating about Survivors

Some helpful things to remember as we communicate about survivors in a way that honors their dignity.

We use language that focuses on survivors as people, not the violence they have experienced.

Examples: People in poverty, people in slavery, oppressed people. Not: slaves, the poor, the oppressed

Our words reflect the inherent dignity of the people we serve, and the freedom survivors now have from violence.

Examples: No one is “voiceless.” We cannot give anyone a voice. Lead with their identity as a survivor, rather than a victim.

Other Resources

For great examples, inspiration, and things to share with others, check out IJM on

YouTube⁠

Instagram⁠

(@ijm), and

Facebook⁠

. *Note that older videos might not follow the current messaging or brand guidelines.

Mission

Vision

Boilerplate

The Problem: Everyday violence

Our Solution

Communicating about Survivors

Other Resources

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