By: Lorri Ann Drazan
This summer I had the amazing opportunity to spend eight weeks in Jerusalem, Israel interning with the Jerusalem Institute of Justice (JIJ). The JIJ is a non-governmental organization that advocates on human rights issues. The JIJ has many projects including Lone Soldier support, legal aid, and Holocaust survivor programs. I had the privilege to work on projects involving anti human trafficking and anti-prostitution. I conducted research to be used on the JIJ’s social media campaigns that educate people on the realities of prostitution and human trafficking in Israel. Additionally, I was able to write an article on the correlation between international borders and trafficking. However, one of the most memorable experiences I had was participating in the annual march against prostitution in Tel Aviv, Israel. The march, called the Jessica Memorial, was organized in remembrance of a woman who took her own life while working in a brothel. My internship in Israel gave me the opportunity to advocate on behalf of women and men in an industry that steals their voice by reducing them to nothing more than objects. The JIJ is just one of many organizations working diligently to give them back their voice.
This post was written by a student at Regent University School of Law. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect those of Regent University, Regent Law School, or the Center for Global Justice.