Agape International Missions
 | |
| Abbreviation | AIM |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1989 (US), 2006 (Cambodia) |
| Type | NGO |
| Purpose | Combating sex trafficking in Cambodia |
| Headquarters | Roseville, California |
CEO | Don and Bridget Brewster |
Board Chair | Ken Petersen |
| Website | aimfree |
Agape International Missions (AIM) is a non-denominational NGO combating sex trafficking in Cambodia.[1][2][3][4]
Operations
[edit]Headquartered in California, AIM works to rescue victims of sex trafficking and provide rescued victims with housing, education, health, employment, rehabilitation, and community care.[5][6]
In 2014, AIM launched a SWAT team, authorized by the Cambodian government, to investigate and raid illegal brothels in conjunction with the Cambodian National Police's Anti-Human Trafficking Unit.[7][8][9] AIM also rescues girls and women sex trafficked to China.[7]
AIM received GuideStar USA, Inc.'s gold seal of transparency in 2019.[10] Charity Navigator gave AIM the highest rating of 4 out of 4 stars and a score of 100 out of 100 for accountability & transparency.[11]
History
[edit]AIM was founded in 1989 by Bridget and Don Brewster, a former pastor in California, and began operations in Cambodia in 2006.[12] The organization opened its first shelter and restoration center for former child sex slaves in the village of Svay Pak, Cambodia.[13][14][15][16][17]
In 2022, it was reported that AIM has assisted the Cambodian government in its controversial crack-down on surrogacy in Cambodia.[18] This followed the Cambodian government's ban on commercial surrogacy prompted by the organization's concerns that women were exploited by the industry.[19][20][21]
References
[edit]- ^ "Don and Bridget Brewster of Agape International Missions on combating Cambodia's child sex traffickers". South China Morning Post. July 1, 2014.
- ^ "Trafficking fight honoured". Khmer Times. December 5, 2017.
- ^ "Cambodia's Child Sex Industry Is Dwindling—And They Have Christians to Thank". CT. May 19, 2017.
- ^ "The Issue". Agape International Missions. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- ^ "The World's Biggest Trafficking Problem Remains in the Background". CT. May 19, 2017.
- ^ "Inside the world of Cambodia's child sex trade, as told through the eyes of a survivor". ABC News. March 8, 2017.
- ^ a b "Non-profit group, which helps sex-trafficking victims, seeks tie-ups with ethical business partners in Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. April 21, 2019.
- ^ "Reporter's notebook: Covering brothel raids and Christian missionaries rescuing girls in Cambodia". ABC News. March 13, 2017.
- ^ "Our Fight". Agape International Missions. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- ^ "AIM". GuideStar. 2019.
- ^ "Agape International Missions". Charity Navigator.
- ^ Jennifer K. Morita (August 7, 2008). "Girls turn camera on world: Teacher aids victims of child sex trade". The Sacramento Bee: G7.
- ^ "Don and Bridget Brewster of Agape International Missions on combating Cambodia's child sex traffickers". South China Morning Post. July 1, 2014.
- ^ Magagnini, Stephen (16 August 2010). "A PLACE OF SAFETY Granite Bay missionaries bring message of hope for a better life to victims of child sex trade in Cambodia (profile)". The Sacramento Bee.
- ^ Locke, Cathy (21 August 2011). "Granite Bay event to focus on efforts to combat sex trafficking". McClatchy - Tribune Business News.
- ^ Bramhan, Daphne (26 March 2012). "Svay Pak's glimmers of hope; Vancouver-based Ratanak International and others work to rebuild a community". Vancouver Sun.
- ^ Sara Sidner (October 24, 2011). "Cambodian village has disturbing reputation for child sex slavery". CNN. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
- ^ Beech, Hannah; Cohen, Nadia Shira (2022-11-26). "They Were Surrogates. Now They Must Raise the Children". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
- ^ "Cambodia releases surrogate mothers who agree to keep children". BBC News. 2018-12-06. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
- ^ "Paid to carry a stranger's baby - then forced to raise it". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
- ^ Handley, Erin; Meta, Kong (2018-10-02). "'I will not give them the baby': the plight of Cambodia's detained surrogates". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
- Organizations that combat human trafficking
- Charities based in California
- Foreign charities operating in Cambodia
- Educational charities based in the United States
- Women's rights organizations
- Children's rights organizations
- Christian educational organizations
- Victims' rights organizations
- Christian missions
- Phnom Penh
- Human trafficking in Cambodia
- Sex worker organizations
- Child-related organisations in Cambodia
- Women's rights in Cambodia