节目资讯
刊物:空中英語教室
日期:2012-02-21
难易度:High
关键字:perpetrator, detention, issue, reassure, field office
(Music).
IJM is often asked why they don't address problems in the United States.
Their answer?
They want to help the justice systems in other poor countries that have
less-developed legal systems.
They say that sure, injustice still exists in the U.S., but the United States
has a more mature legal system that handles injustice fairly.
OK, now let's continue our reading on page 43, line 15.
(Music).
International Justice Mission.
When IJM confronts one of these issues, its first goal is always to relieve the
victim's suffering.
It might help the police find and free slaves, work to restore stolen property
or pressure authorities to release an innocent person from prison.
IJM also strives to take legal action against the perpetrators to prevent them
from doing more harm and to discourage others from similar behavior.
Knowing that the people who harmed them are behind bars can reassure victims
that they are safe.
So IJM is dedicated to dealing with issues or with problems all around the
world.
That's right. They're working to address issues.
Now here's our word "isuses." We see "they confront issues." Now what does that
mean?
Well, an "issue" is a subject that people are talking about; but it is also
referring to problems, usually major problems.
That's right.
But it's not just a problem that is sitting there waiting, it's something we're
all talking about.
It's something we are wanting to make a difference in.
So we talk about AIDS.
That would be considered an issue.
Bullying, that would be considered an issue.
Here, justice is an issue.
Yes. And there are many forms of injustice.
Those are definitely major issues that IJM wants to confront.
That's right. Its first goal is always to relieve the victim's suffering.
So that's good.
Ryan, that means they're not just going in and taking legal action first.
They want to help the people that are having the problem.
They want to relieve the suffering.
Right. Now IJM actually has an order of the way they do things.
First we see they help the victim.
They want to relieve them from their suffering.
If you relieve someone, it means that you take away something that is causing
pain; in this case, suffering.
Well, in one case, it might help the police find and free slaves.
So the organization IJM goes in, helps track down where slaves are.
It helps local police take care of the problem.
Right. And "local" here is referring to police that are in that area, so.
They want to free the slaves, but what else, if it's a different problem?
They can work to restore stolen property.
Now here the word "restore" means to return to the person it actually belongs
to.
So if it is stolen, that means someone took it without permission.
And they're going to return the property to the right person.
OK. Now Kaylah, they can also work with... or pressure authorities into
releasing an innocent person.
What does it mean to "pressure" someone?
Well, you know, "pressure" usually means a force that is pushing down on us.
Here we're talking about the organization pushing down on them, not physically,
but trying to convince them to let somebody go.
They would do that with legal action as well as with just the idea of justice
pushing them to do the right thing,
pushing, encouraging and sometimes even scaring them.
Right. So they make sure that these local authorities they release people who
are in prison who are actually innocent.
That's right.
Now the innocent person is someone who did not commit the crime that would
like...
They want them out of prison that they have illegally injustice has been served
and they are stuck in prison.
So they're working with authorities to take care of that.
Well, IJM also strives to take legal... action against perpetrators who prevent
them from doing... to prevent them from doing more harm.
So not only they work with authorities, they work with the bad guys.
Right. Now Kaylah, I actually love this part.
Not only do they take people out of the problem and make sure they are no longer
in prison when they are innocent or make sure they actually get their stolen
property back,
they also make sure the perpetrators are actually dealt with and they get
punished so they can't harm anymore.
Then it discourages others from doing the same thing.
They won't do similar behavior, which is doing the same kind of idea because
they know that justice will be served and they will have consequences for what
they do.
Right. So not only are the perpetrators no longer able to harm more people,
Kaylah, they also... this is also a benefit for the victims.
They can know that the people who harmed them are now behind bars and can't hurt
them anymore.
That's right.
Now we say they're behind bars, imagine a prison or a jail and there are bars to
keep you in because you did something wrong.
That's what it means: You're behind the bars, you are stuck in jail.
Right, exactly.
Now this is wonderful for the victims because it "reassures" them.
They are actually safe now.
It's not only temporary.
They don't have to worry about it anymore.
That is reassuring.
That's right.
When you "reassure," that means you comfort someone.
You make them feel better because they don't have to worry about something
happening again and again.
This is a good thing.
We want to reassure the victims that they are, in fact, safe.
Yeah, you can reassure someone maybe at your job.
Tell them they are doing a good job.
That would make them feel comfortable and safe.
And so especially for a victim here, that is a wonderful thing.
That's right. With the International Justice Mission,
we saw earlier that its founder wanted to make a difference not just helping the
people right away but providing relief for long term.
And he does this by taking legal action against the perpetrators.
Right. They punish the guilty and make sure that the weak are safe.
Now let's go visit the Chat Room.
Hi, Ken.
Anything interesting in the paper today?
Yeah. There's a story about a killer running loose in the city and the police
are asking for the public's help to catch him.
Oh, no. That's scary.
Well, I sure hope that they catch him soon.
Yeah, they should put him behind the bar.
Uh, no, Ken. You mean behind bars.
Um... isn't that what I said?
No, Ken. You said "behind the bar." If we said someone was behind the bar,
we'd be talking about a person standing behind a counter in a bar or restaurant.
Oh, like a bartender.
Right. So you should say put him behind bars.
Behind bars is a phrase that means someone has been put into prison where they
are kept behind the bars of a prison cell.
So I should use the plural, bars, right?
You're right, since a prison cell has lots of metal bars that are used to
contain prisoners.
Got it.
Are there any other idioms related to criminals in prisons?
Yes. "Lock up" is a good one.
That's very common.
And that must refer to locking the criminals up inside a jail or prison, right?
You got it.
Serious criminals like this one should stay locked up for a long time.
Hey, speaking of locks, I remember another article that mentioned a company
keeping its plans under lock and key.
Does that mean they lock the plans in a box or something?
Yeah. I'm not sure exactly where they keep those plans, but you can bet they are
secure and kept far away from curious people.
I see.
Well, you can be sure I'll be following the story until they catch the killer.
OK. Let me know if you get any news about this situation.
Sure will.
(Chinese).
(Chinese).
And I guess that's all the time we have for today.
Take care and I'll see you tomorrow.
Friends, International Justice Mission distinguishes itself from other similar
organizations in a number of ways.
Yeah. There are many organizations designed to help those in need, so how is IJM
different from these similar organizations?
Well, being that IJM was founded by people with experience in law - or lawyers,
they are given an advantage when they're fighting crime.
First, they address the immediate problem releasing those in slavery, forced
prostitution or being held in illegal police detention.
But their efforts don't stop there.
They then work to ensure that the perpetrators are punished and kept from
committing further crimes against humanity.
Exactly, because simply removing the victim from their immediate problem doesn't
completely ease their anxiety.
Further steps are taken to make sure they don't have to live in fear of their
attacker repeating the crime.
But that's not what truly distinguishes IJM from other organizations.
Oh, it's not?
No. Join us tomorrow as we find out why the people at IJM have such a passion
for protecting the weak.
Friends, we hope to see you then.
Bye-bye.