Agape International Missions

Agape International Missions

Abbreviation	AIM
Formation	1989 (US), 2006 (Cambodia)
Type	NGO
Purpose	Combating sex trafficking in Cambodia
Headquarters	Roseville, California
Founders	Don and Bridget Brewster
CEO	Clayton Butler
Board Chair	Ken Petersen
Website	aimfree.org

Agape International Missions (AIM) is a non-denominational NGO combating sex trafficking in Cambodia. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Operations

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

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

1. "Don and Bridget Brewster of Agape International Missions on combating Cambodia's child sex traffickers". South China Morning Post. July 1, 2014.
2. "Trafficking fight honoured". Khmer Times. December 5, 2017.
3. "Cambodia's Child Sex Industry Is Dwindling—And They Have Christians to Thank". CT. May 19, 2017.
4. "The Issue". Agape International Missions. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
5. "The World's Biggest Trafficking Problem Remains in the Background". CT. May 19, 2017.
6. "Inside the world of Cambodia's child sex trade, as told through the eyes of a survivor". ABC News. March 8, 2017.
7. "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.
8. "Reporter's notebook: Covering brothel raids and Christian missionaries rescuing girls in Cambodia". ABC News. March 13, 2017.
9. "Our Fight". Agape International Missions. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
10. "AIM". GuideStar. 2019.
11. "Agape International Missions". Charity Navigator.
12. Jennifer K. Morita (August 7, 2008). "Girls turn camera on world: Teacher aids victims of child sex trade". The Sacramento Bee : G7.
13. "Don and Bridget Brewster of Agape International Missions on combating Cambodia's child sex traffickers". South China Morning Post. July 1, 2014.
14. 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.
15. Locke, Cathy (21 August 2011). "Granite Bay event to focus on efforts to combat sex trafficking". McClatchy - Tribune Business News.
16. Bramhan, Daphne (26 March 2012). "Svay Pak's glimmers of hope; Vancouver-based Ratanak International and others work to rebuild a community". Vancouver Sun.
17. Sara Sidner (October 24, 2011). "Cambodian village has disturbing reputation for child sex slavery". CNN . Retrieved February 19, 2013.
18. 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.
19. "Cambodia releases surrogate mothers who agree to keep children". BBC News. 2018-12-06. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
20. "Paid to carry a stranger's baby - then forced to raise it". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
21. 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.