LOCAL STUDENT CANT STAND HUMAN

TRAFFICKING, SO SHE IS STANDING

AGAINST IT
By Joe Corrigan, Staff Writer
The University of Delaware community has been making waves in the fight
against human trafficking on a community and state level through the recent efforts of
the registered student organization, International Justice Mission at UD, and its all
thanks to one concerned student Jocelyn Moore.
What is the International Justice Mission? The International Justice Mission (IJM)
is a non-profit organization that fights for human rights specifically human trafficking,
sex crimes, and human rights violations around the world. Founded in 1997 by Gary
Haugen, IJM, in their own words from their official website, works by partnering with
local authorities to rescue victims, bring criminals to justice, restore survivors, and
strengthen the justice system.
Since its inception, they have estimated over 18,000 people have been relieved
from oppression, over 770 criminals convicted, and over 4,000 recovering victims
receive services rendered by their aftercare program.
Jocelyn Moore, a junior at the University of Delaware studying Organizational
and Community Leadership, decided to start a chapter of the International Justice
Mission at the University after attending the Passion Conference in Atlanta Georgia with
the UD Baptist Student Ministry over winter session 2012. Passion Conferences are a
Christian organization that meets annually for spiritual gatherings of young college
students. Each year the conference focuses on one issue and encourages its attendees
to donate to related nonprofits. That year, the focus was on human trafficking.
For that entire week, I was basically face-to-face with the realities of human
trafficking, which I didn't really know much about beforehand, said Moore. When I left
the conference, a day did not go by when I was not thinking about the issue; that's when
I knew that I had to do something about it.
Moore wasted no time. I realized that there was no RSO on campus that dealt
with human trafficking. It was the perfect opportunity, said Moore. She chose to start a

chapter of IJM, despite never working with them before, because of their great college
chapter program, and she agreed with their morals.
They are based off of Christian principles. Although our campus chapter here
is not considered a religious organization, I still liked the morals that IJM stood for, said
Moore.
Moore established IJM at UD in the beginning of spring 2012. The group started
with just Moore and a few of her friends, but has since blossomed into a group of over
200, with an estimated 50 regular, or active, members.
This semester, the group has been more active than ever. Major events include:
Letters of Hope in which IJM members wrote letters of encouragement to
rescued survivors of trafficking.
Stand for Freedom in which members
stood on the Green for 24 hours straight in honor
of the millions still enslaved today, and collected
over 1,000 signatures to send to local
representatives asking them to support the latest
anti-trafficking bill.
This was IJM at UDs second annual holding
of the event, and it was a major success. It really
serves as great awareness builders; so many
people on campus have no idea about human
trafficking, said Moore.
The event is not only a great awareness
builder, it is also a spectacle within itself. Corinne
McMahon, a freshman at UD, commented in
skeptical awe of the event saying, They couldnt
possibly have stood for that long. They must have
had people come in waves.

A member holds a sign for all to see

during their Stand for Freedom
event.
Photo Credit: IJM at UD
Fair Trade Fridays a part of IJM at UDs initiative to make UD a fair trade
school, members sold jewelry hand made by survivors and even gave out free fair trade
chocolate.
IJM at UDs Fair Trade Initiative, recently gained a lot of traction as it just passed
within the UD Student Government Association. Moore expressed her excitement for

the accomplishment and its consequences saying, Now that we officially have their
support, we are going to begin actually, continue negotiating with Dining Services to
add more Fair Trade items in our PODs, dining halls and student centers. I'm so so
excited about that, because that's a change that will last far beyond our time here at
UD.
Not everyone is supportive of the developments of IJM at UD. One student, Matt
Decarlo, expressed concern over not just IJM but non-governmental agencies (NGOs) in
general. While he was in support of the end result and quest for justice, he questioned
the means, saying, "They operate outside of our rules. They're basically American
missionaries. They go around spreading American beliefs - democracy, capitalism, etc.and try forcing it on other countries that don't want it. It increases tension between
countries. People blame the military on the "spreading of America" but really it is the
NGOs."
Those opinions do not faze Jocelyn Moore, though. When asked for a response
to that criticism, Moore says, To that I would say that yes, there are some organizations
that behave in this way. But the comment is a gross overstatement. In fact a lot of the
organizations focus less on them adopting our way of life and more on allowing them to
actually have that choice. A fundamental right the right of choice; freedom that we
Americans often take for granted.
What can the average person do to help the cause? According to Moore, The
average person can help fight human trafficking by first being aware, and then making
others aware. Human trafficking is the 2nd largest criminal industry in the world
because it is done almost completely in secret. How can any change be made if we don't
know that change needs to happen? In truth, awareness is the cornerstone for change.
Once people know, then people can act.
She was also quick to add, It's also important to mention that the average
person probably shouldn't go busting down doors of brothels or massage parlors. We
cant all be the dad from Taken.
Moving forward, Moore has one question for the students of UD, The power
ball is in your court. As college students; as the next generation of change makers, we
have the ability to make lasting change. The question is, now that you know, what will
you do?