Agape International Missions (AIM) is a
nonnonprofit,
non-denominational
A non-denominational person or organization is one that does not follow (or is not restricted to) any particular or specific religious denomination.
Overview
The term has been used in the context of various faiths including Jainism, Baháʼí Fait ...
,
non-governmental organization working to rescue, heal and empower survivors of
sex trafficking in Cambodia
Sex trafficking in Cambodia is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and slavery that occurs in the Kingdom of Cambodia. Cambodia is a country of origin, destination and transit for sex trafficked persons.
Sex trafficking v ...
. It has staff in
California and
Southeast Asia and carries out housing, education, health, employment, rehabilitation, and community care initiatives in
Cambodia. The AIM Apparel is a retail site that sells jewelry and other products made by survivors and supports the organization's initiatives. AIM received
GuideStar USA, Inc.'s gold seal of transparency in 2019.
Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator is a charity assessment organization that evaluates hundreds of thousands of charitable organizations based in the United States, operating as a free 501(c)(3) organization. It provides insights into a nonprofit’s financial s ...
gave AIM the highest rating of 4 out of 4 stars and a score of 100 out of 100 for accountability & transparency.
AIM has a
SWAT
In the United States, a SWAT team (special weapons and tactics, originally special weapons assault team) is a police tactical unit that uses specialized or military equipment and tactics. Although they were first created in the 1960s to ...
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. AIM also rescues girls and women
sex trafficked to China.
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
Child prostitution is prostitution involving a child, and it is a form of commercial sexual exploitation of children. The term normally refers to prostitution of a minor, or person under the legal age of consent.
In most jurisdictions, child ...
again.
AIM was founded by Bridget and Don Brewster, a former
pastor of Adventure Christian Church, 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
Sexual slavery and sexual exploitation is an attachment of any ownership rights, right over one or more people with the intent of Coercion, coercing or otherwise forcing them to engage in Human sexual activity, sexual activities. This include ...
in the village of
Svay Pak
Svay Pak (; km, ស្វាយប៉ាក; also called Kilometer 11 and K-11) is an urban commune of overseas Vietnamese in Cambodia, north of Phnom Penh. The commune has been renowned as a destination for adult and child prostitution, and ...
, Cambodia.
In 2022, it was reported that AIM has assisted the Cambodian government in its controversial crack-down on surrogacy in Cambodia.
References
{{Sex trafficking in Southeast Asia, state=collapsed
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 in Cambodia
Child-related organisations in Cambodia