Trafficking of Women & Children (Human Dignity)
More than 700,000 people are trafficked across
borders annually.
School Sisters of Notre Dame are involved in a
variety of issues concerning the preservation of basic human rights and
human dignity, perhaps none as compelling as the trafficking of women
and children.
Trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Each year an estimated
700,000 to 1.5 million people worldwide fall victim to international
traffickers. These victims, predominately women and children, are forced
into unpaid labor, debt bondage, coerced prostitution or sexual
servitude, often under the direction of international organized crime
rings. The trafficking of human beings is the third largest source of
profit for international organized crime, after drugs and arms, with
revenue amounting to billions of dollars each year.
As many as 20,000 to 50,000 women and children
are believed to be trafficked into the United States every year. Some
are lured with the promise of paid employment in legitimate jobs; others
are abducted or purchased from family members. Their compliance is
secured by vicious traffickers, who take their legal documents and
threaten physical violence against them and their family members.
The School Sisters of Notre Dame Respond
The School Sisters
of Notre Dame are working on the cessation of trafficking in a variety
of ways. Many sisters have written letters and contacted their
congressional representatives about trafficking-related legislation. We
are active members of the Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against
Human Trafficking. We supported the development of the Trafficking in
Women and Children Information and Workshop Kit produced by the Working
Group on Trafficking in Women and Children in Rome, and we've developed
our own theological reflection packet on trafficking. As a
Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) of the United Nations, the School
Sisters of Notre Dame also monitor and support UN initiatives directed
at addressing this most serious issue.
What You Can Do
Let Your Voice Be Heard – Contact your Congressional representatives
about your concerns on trafficking. Now is a particularly good time to
do this since Congress will be considering reauthorization of the
Trafficking Victims Protection Act, PL 106-386, which was originally
adopted by Congress in 2000
Pray
Add this
Prayer for an End
to Trafficking to your daily/weekly prayers. Or,
during this Lenten season, m ake the issue of trafficking a
special focus for your prayers. Click on the links below for
trafficking focused prayers and reflections for each week of Lent.
Advent Prayers &
Reflections:
During this Advent season, please consider making the issue of
trafficking a special focus for your prayers. Click on the links below
for trafficking focused prayers and reflections for each week of Advent.
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