Gary Haugen - International Justice Mission

International Justice Mission

In 1997, inspired by the findings of an extensive study he undertook to document the injustices witnessed by overseas development and relief missionaries and workers, Haugen founded International Justice Mission. The study, surveying more than 65 organizations and representing 40,000 overseas workers, uncovered a nearly unanimous awareness of abuses of power by police and other authorities in the communities such workers served. By launching IJM, Haugen hoped to provide legal aid and advocacy for these victims of oppression.

International Justice Mission takes on individual cases of human rights abuse around the world and uses investigative, legal and social work expertise to rescue and provide care for the victims, bring the perpetrators to account and seek structural prevention of future abuses. In Haugen’s words, over the years the organization has seen many “widows given back their rightful land, men who choose to rape or traffic children put in jail and entire families freed from slavery.”

Haugen currently serves as President and CEO of International Justice Mission, which now employs more than 250 individuals on five continents. In 2007, Haugen was awarded the 2007 Wilberforce Forum Award. Presented by Prison Fellowship and The Wilberforce Forum, the annual award recognizes an individual who has made a difference in the face of formidable societal problems and injustices.