Kaign Christy (1983)

About

Kaign Christy is Director of International Justice Mission’s field office in Ghana, West Africa.  The largest global human rights organization of its kind, IJM secures justice for victims of slavery, sex trafficking, rape, police brutality, property grabbing and other forms of violence against the poor in communities throughout Africa, Latin America, South Asia and Southeast Asia.  In Ghana, Mr. Christy leads a team of national and international lawyers, social workers and operatives working to end the trafficking of children for forced labor in the fishing industry.

Mr. Christy joined IJM in 2004 as the director of the Cambodia field office. There, he worked with Cambodian authorities to investigate and prosecute cases of sex trafficking, helping to free nearly 300 women and girls and successfully prosecute more than 100 suspected traffickers. As a result of his leadership in the battle against human trafficking, the Prime Minister awarded Mr. Christy the Commander Medal of Sahametrei, the highest award given by the Cambodian government to foreign nationals.

From 2007 to 2010 Mr. Christy served as IJM’s Director of Operations for Southeast Asia. During this time, an IJM project in partnership with local authorities resulted in a 79% decrease in the availability of children for commercial sexual exploitation, as measured by independent auditors.  When the Philippine government invited IJM to replicate the successful anti-trafficking methods developed in Cebu, Mr. Christy was asked to head the new field office in Pampanga, where he served until accepting the directorship of the Ghana office in 2014.   

In addition to his coursework at William and Mary, Mr. Christy’s participation in the National Mock Trial Team, Law School Christian Fellowship, and pro bono work for prisoners combined to hone the leadership, skills and commitment to justice for the poor essential for his service with International Justice Mission.

Prior to joining IJM, Mr. Christy had a 20-year career with Aspey, Watkins and Diesel, the largest law firm in northern Arizona.  He is a member of the Arizona and California bars.