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 or print their 2018 Position Paper on Human Trafficking in its entirety, click here. To read tor print he complete series of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd Position Papers, click here. For more background on the Good Shepherd 2018 Position Papers and to access them in Spanish, French or English, visit this site. 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. The United States 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report[2] states that “[I]n the United States, traffickers prey upon children in the foster care system. Recent reports have consistently indicated that a large number of victims of child sex trafficking were at one time in the foster care system.” [1] https://www.dhs.gov [2] https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-trafficking-in-persons-report/ 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 learn more, visit: https://yourgeardeconstructed.com/parents-internet-safety-security-screen-time-guide/ |
News / Updates Legislation
Savanna's Act (S. 227 / H.R. 2733)
The legislation focuses on improved coordination (between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement), reporting, and prosecution for crimes related to missing and murdered Native Americans. Last year, Savanna’s Act passed the Senate but not the House. This year, S. 227 was introduced almost immediately after the new session of Congress began in January by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and has 21 co-sponsors with support from both Democrats and Republicans. The legislation has been referred to the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, which held a hearing on the bill on June 19, 2019. Its House companion bill, H.R. 2733, was introduced by Representative Norma Torres (D-CA) and has been referred to two committees: House Judiciary Committee and House Committee on Natural Resources. It also has bi-partisan support with 22 co-sponsors. Central American Women and Children Protection Act (S. 1781 / H.R. 2836) H.R. 2836, Central American Women and Children Protection Act of 2019, was introduced in May in a bipartisan manner by Representatives Norma Torres (D-CA) and Ann Wagner (R-MO) and has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Its companion bill, S. 1781, was introduced in June by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and has bipartisan support. The legislation has been referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for further action. H.R. 2836 / S. 1781 would authorize appropriations for the Department of State for the next three years to provide assistance to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras (the “Northern Triangle of Central America”) to increase protection of women and children in their homes and communities and reduce female homicides, domestic violence, and sexual assault. No funds would go directly to the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala or Honduras and options to suspend all funding are provided. 2019 Interfaith Toolkit on Human TraffickingTogether 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.
U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking Resources |
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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.
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