Agape International Missions Explained

Agape International Missions
Abbreviation:AIM
Formation:1989 (US), 2006 (Cambodia)
Type:NPO, NGO
Purpose:Relentlessly rescue, heal and empower survivors of sex trafficking in Cambodia
Headquarters:Roseville, California
Location:Svay Pak, Cambodia
Region Served:Southeast Asia
Leader Title:CEO
Leader Name:Don and Bridget Brewster
Leader Title2:Board Chair
Leader Name2:Ken Petersen
Affiliations:3Strands

Agape International Missions (AIM) is a nonprofit, non-denominational, non-governmental organization working to rescue, heal and empower survivors of sex trafficking in Cambodia.[1] [2] [3] [4] It has staff in California and Southeast Asia and carries out housing, education, health, employment, rehabilitation, and community care initiatives in Cambodia.[5] The AIM Apparel is a retail site that sells jewelry and other products made by survivors and supports the organization's initiatives.[6] AIM received GuideStar USA, Inc.'s gold seal of transparency in 2019.[7] Charity Navigator gave AIM the highest rating of 4 out of 4 stars and a score of 100 out of 100 for accountability & transparency.[8]

AIM has a SWAT team, authorized by the Cambodian government, that conducts investigations, raids brothels and indirect sex establishments (i.e. beer gardens, massage parlours, salons, karaoke bars, retail spaces, and non-commercial sites), rescues sex trafficked victims, and arrests perpetrators alongside Cambodian law enforcement.[9] [10] [11] AIM also rescues girls and women sex trafficked to China.[12]

Rescued victims are provided with support, education, employment opportunities, and more so they are well taken care of, heal from physical and psychological trauma, and do not end up in child prostitution again.[13] AIM was founded by Bridget and Don Brewster, a former pastor of Adventure Christian Church,[14] in California in 1989 and began operations in Cambodia in 2006. The organization opened its first shelter and restoration center for former child sex slaves in the village of Svay Pak, Cambodia.[15] [16] [17] [18] [19]

In 2022, it was reported that AIM has assisted the Cambodian government in its controversial crack-down on surrogacy in Cambodia.[20] In 2016, the Cambodian government banned commercial surrogacy, which was a thriving industry in the country. The ban was prompted by the organization's concerns that women were exploited by being surrogates.[21] [22] [23]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Don and Bridget Brewster of Agape International Missions on combating Cambodia's child sex traffickers. July 1, 2014. South China Morning Post.
  2. Web site: Trafficking fight honoured. December 5, 2017. Khmer Times.
  3. Web site: Cambodia's Child Sex Industry Is Dwindling—And They Have Christians to Thank. May 19, 2017. CT.
  4. Web site: The Issue. 2020-10-22. Agape International Missions. en-US.
  5. Web site: The World's Biggest Trafficking Problem Remains in the Background. May 19, 2017. CT.
  6. Web site: Agape International Missions Store. 2020-10-22. The AIM Shop. en.
  7. Web site: AIM. 2019. GuideStar.
  8. Web site: Agape International Missions. Charity Navigator.
  9. Web site: Non-profit group, which helps sex-trafficking victims, seeks tie-ups with ethical business partners in Hong Kong. April 21, 2019. South China Morning Post.
  10. Web site: Reporter's notebook: Covering brothel raids and Christian missionaries rescuing girls in Cambodia. March 13, 2017. ABC News.
  11. Web site: Our Fight. 2020-10-22. Agape International Missions. en-US.
  12. Web site: Non-profit group, which helps sex-trafficking victims, seeks tie-ups with ethical business partners in Hong Kong. April 21, 2019. South China Morning Post.
  13. Web site: Inside the world of Cambodia's child sex trade, as told through the eyes of a survivor. March 8, 2017. ABC News.
  14. The Sacramento Bee. Girls turn camera on world: Teacher aids victims of child sex trade. Jennifer K. Morita. August 7, 2008. G7.
  15. Web site: Don and Bridget Brewster of Agape International Missions on combating Cambodia's child sex traffickers. July 1, 2014. South China Morning Post.
  16. News: Magagnini. Stephen. 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. 16 August 2010.
  17. News: Locke. Cathy. Granite Bay event to focus on efforts to combat sex trafficking. McClatchy - Tribune Business News. 21 August 2011.
  18. News: Bramhan. Daphne. Svay Pak's glimmers of hope; Vancouver-based Ratanak International and others work to rebuild a community. Vancouver Sun. 26 March 2012.
  19. CNN. Sara Sidner. Cambodian village has disturbing reputation for child sex slavery. October 24, 2011. February 19, 2013.
  20. News: Beech . Hannah . Cohen . Nadia Shira . 2022-11-26 . They Were Surrogates. Now They Must Raise the Children. . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-11-27 . 0362-4331.
  21. News: 2018-12-06 . Cambodia releases surrogate mothers who agree to keep children . en-GB . BBC News . 2023-04-27.
  22. Web site: Paid to carry a stranger's baby - then forced to raise it . 2023-04-27 . www.bbc.co.uk . en-GB.
  23. News: Handley . Erin . Meta . Kong . 2018-10-02 . 'I will not give them the baby': the plight of Cambodia's detained surrogates . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-04-27 . 0261-3077.

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