It’s hidden, yet all around us. It’s invisible, yet in plain sight. The horror of human trafficking, both labor trafficking and sex trafficking, is increasing in our ever-shrinking world with the help of the internet, instant communication and the largest migration of humans in recorded history.
The vision of the Sisters of The Good Shepherd is that the worth and dignity of all human and created life is honored and celebrated. The Sisters are committed to respond to the anguish of the world "by taking courageous steps to use our international resources effectively, to network and to… work zealously with women and children, especially those who are trafficked…" To read their 2018 Position Paper on Human Trafficking in its entirety, click here. To read the complete series of Good Shepherd Position Papers, click here. Human Trafficking is:[1]
Human smuggling and human trafficking are different crimes. Smuggling is the illegal movement of someone across a border. Trafficking is the illegal exploitation of a person. [1] https://www.dhs.gov |
News / Updates 2019 Interfaith Toolkit on Human Trafficking
Together with other members of the Washington Inter-religious Staff Community (WISC). the National Advocacy Center shares this interfaith toolkit created by the WISC Working Group on Human Trafficking. The toolkit is intended o be a starting point for faith communities around the country as they seek to educate themselves and take action during Human Trafficking Awareness Month each January - and every month. We urge you to help raise awareness, promote dialogue and take moral action against the scourge of modern-day slavery.
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New Laws ~ Thank you!
NAC is happy to report that Congress has passed and the President has signed all four bills of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act - so we again have laws on the books! Also signed into law was legislation we supported during our Human Trafficking Conference last year.
Here are the details: HOUSE: H.R. 2200 -- Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2018 Introduced by Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ-4) on 4/27/17; signed into law on 1/8/19. SENATE: S. 1580--Protecting Girl's Access to Education in Vulnerable Settings Act Introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) on 7/19/17; signed into law on 1/14/19. S. 1862--Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2017 Introduced by Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) on 9/26/17; signed into law on 1/9/19. S.1312--Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017 Introduced by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) on 6/7/17); signed into law on 12/21/18. S.1311--Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017 Introduced by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) on 6/7/17; signed into law on 12/21/18. Legislation
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The Numbers are Bad Enough
Human trafficking is a nonpartisan concern and is evil. Its numbers are staggering and eye-opening and do not need to be inflated to be worthy of attention. Let's keep our facts accurate and not lose sight of the survivors and those still enslaved.
Read The Washington Post's "The Fact Checker." Teen Internet SafetyThe hidden dangers: Scams, stalking and grooming
"From dates of birth and hometowns, to frequently visited restaurants and school locations, social networking sites like Facebook explicitly encourage users to share as much personal information as possible. Public profiles facilitate the anonymity of ill-intentioned strangers, and put teenagers at greater risk to receiving unwanted contact from predators, cyberbullies, and cyberstalkers. While most ‘friends’ and connections don’t have malicious intentions, public profiles can be viewed by anyone, anywhere and anytime. "Cyberstalking is stalking and harassment via use of technology, and is largely done over the internet. Cyberstalkers can take advantage of geo-location settings, open profiles and the availability of unprotected personal information on social networking sites to humiliate, threaten, frighten, control and manipulate victims. "Young adults are more than six times likely to fall victim to scams on social media than people aged over 55." To read the full article, please go to: https://www.top10vpn.com/guides/teen-internet-safety-a-parents-guide/ T Visas for Survivors at RiskThe Trump Administration is making it harder and more dangerous for trafficking survivors to seek and receive T Visas to stay in the United States, work and receive benefits while cooperating with the investigations against their traffickers.
Read more in Foreign Policy. Calls for Church to Confront Its Own Links to Modern SlaveryJohn McCarthy, Q.C., a former ambassador to the Holy See (2012-2016), urges the church to look at its own connections to Human Trafficking, "By aggressively policing its own supply lines, the church could be an example for other large contemporary institutions to follow."
Read more in America. |
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Help the Children Get Out of the Mines
The Good Shepherd International Foundation produced the film ‘Maisha: A New Life Outside the Mines’ documenting the living conditions of the artisanal mining community in Kolwezi and the impact that this community development project is having. The film was shown at more than 10 film festivals and screenings throughout the world. It was awarded numerous honors, including Best Documentary Short Film at the 12th Human Rights Film Festival of Barcelona and Best Ethnografic Film at the Vaasa Festival 2016.
Get more information. |