Exposed to the harsh reality of human trafficking, these girls grow up prematurely.

The facts are overwhelming: According to the United Nations, there are 2.5 million victims of trafficking worlwide, and slavery is a booming international trade worth $32 billion.

In the Philippines, the figures are all the more disturbing: of the estimated 500,000 Filipino child and female victims of trafficking, only 109 cases were reported to the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation between 2003 and 2005. Further, in spite of the passage of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 or Republic Act of 9208, only 10 perpetrators have been arrested and convicted.

Not all is grim though. In the face of this injustice, we hear inspiring stories of abused victims starting anew, encouraging nongovernment organizations, among them the International Justice Mission, to continue with their advocacy.

There is the story of Eliza, who simply dreamed of a happy and decent life with her family. Eliza’s mother left her in the care of her father, who hurt her physically and emotionally that she ran away. At 14, Eliza was earning her own money as a guest relations officer at a bar but decided to quit after a few months.

“I thought things would change for the better,” Eliza confides, “but soon after, I was raped by four young men. After that, I thought I was just meant to give pleasure to people and went back to working at the bar.”

In 2006, Eliza and a friend were rescued by the IJM and brought to a government shelter for abused and exploited girls.

She admits, initially, to not understanding why she was rescued.

“Now I realize that it was an answer to my prayers,” she says. “I pray that children like me who are trafficked for prostitution will also have someone who will come and help them.”

Today, Eliza is happy to have found a safe place to learn, grow, and dream once more. “I want to be a teacher and help other children,” she reveals. “I hope that as I continue changing, the relationships in my family will heal, my father will find a decent paying job to support me and my sister, and we can all start a new life together.”

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Established in 1997, the International Justice Mission is a worldwide network of human rights experts, lawyers, and law enforcement professionals. It works across 14 countries and coordinates with governments, development workers, student organizations, and religious groups to fight human trafficking.