Human Trafficking
Sisters of Bon Secours Speak Out Against: Human Trafficking
Human Trafficking is a form of slavery that is occurring throughout the globe. According to the Department of Labor, there are 17,500 victims per year. These victims, through the use of threat, force, coercion or deception, are lured or abducted by traffickers posing as marriage brokers, job recruiters or other professional roles. Traffickers can be family members, friends, business associates or even an intended spouse. Victims, both children and adults, are forced into labor or commercial sexual exploitation.
They can be found in restaurants, sweatshops, agriculture, factories, domestic service, tourism and prostitution. If the victim is brought into the country, their passports and other identification are confiscated. They are threatened psychologically and physically and are kept isolated, receiving little or no money and living in inhuman conditions.
Victims are from all parts of the globe. A majority come from South East Asia, South Africa, Eastern Europe, the former USSR and Latin America.
Some are United States Citizens. Many can not escape because they are physically, linguistically and culturally isolated from others. They are most often the marginalized and oppressed, perhaps coming from broken homes or suffering from addictions or are jobless. Signs to look for if you suspect someone is a victim include: housed in very poor living conditions perhaps living with their employer; evidence of being excessively fearful if approached; signs of physical or emotional abuse; and those, especially the very young who are prostitutes.
Sister Anne Marie Mack,CBS plays an active role as a Board Member with UNANIMA, a non-government organization founded in 2002 by sisters from seven religious congregations. The goal of UNANIMA is for those congregations to work collaboratively to present their expertise and concerns to the members of the United Nation.
As a global health care community, our sisters can identify issues affecting the poor and destitute served within several different countries. The Sisters of Bons Secours are able to voice their recommendations to the United Nations through Sr. Anne Marie’s service with UNANIMA.
Resources
Remember the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act passed in 2002 is a federal law that protects victims, prevents trafficking and prosecutes the trafficker.
Hotline
If you suspect human trafficking call the hotline 1-888-373-7888.
Websites
UNANIMA www.unanima-international.org
VETA (Victims of Exploitation and Trafficking Assistance Program) www.bpsos.org/survivor/VETA.
UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes) http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/index.html
Bon Secours
Click here to read more about how the Sisters of Bon Secours are helping to STOP THE DEMAND for trafficking in women and children. Bon Secours Sister, Anne Marie Mack,CBS is the UNANIMA Board Member for our international community. You can email Sister Ann Marie at peaceandjustice@bonsecoursvocations.org.
Newsletters
Printables
Through our partnership with UNANIMA, we would like to offer you the following resources and information on how you can help STOP THE DEMAND for trafficking in Women and Children:
| The Torn Woman | |||
| Info Handout 1 | |||
| Info Handout 2 | |||
| Prayer Guide 1 | |||
| Prayer Guide 2 | |||
| Resources | |||
| FAQs |
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