Human Rights Office-Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
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Human Trafficking

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Today, women, men and children in the U.S. and around the world are subjected to forced labor, domestic servitude and the sex trade at the hands of human traffickers.  Pope Francis and other faith leaders have condemned human trafficking, calling it a crime against humanity, a scourge and an open wound in contemporary society. 
 
On February 8, we celebrate the feast of St. Josephine Bahkita, the patroness of those who are enslaved or trafficked.  ​

February 8 -- International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking 

Facts & Figures

  • There are an estimated 43 million victims of human trafficking worldwide, with the majority trapped in situations of labor trafficking.
  • Each year, an estimated 17,500 men, women, and children are trafficked across U.S. borders and forced into slavery.
  • Unfortunately, stakeholders have increasingly found that individuals in situations of forced migration, such as refugees and unaccompanied children, are particularly vulnerable to labor and sex traffickers.
  • Victim identification remains a significant challenge to U.S. efforts to prevent trafficking, prosecute perpetrators, and protect victims. 
  • In Fiscal Year 2016, the Federal Bureau of Investigations opened 1,894 domestic and international trafficking cases and the Department of Homeland Security initiated 1,025 cases.
  • Although sex trafficking remains a serious problem, foreign victims are more often found in situations of labor trafficking. In fact, the two largest trafficking cases in the United States involved labor trafficking in Guam and New York. 

Church Teaching 

As Catholics, we believe in the dignity of every human life and vehemently oppose human trafficking and modern-day slavery as it contravenes basic human dignity.  Pope Francis has stated: “Human trafficking is an open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the body of Christ.” 
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
     Human Trafficking
​
Church Documents

​USCCB:
       How Do I Identify a Human Trafficking Victim?
      Child Victims of Human Trafficking: U.S. Unaccompanied Minor Refugee Program   
​
​The Vatican:
     What does Sacred Scripture say?
     What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say?
     What do the Papal Encyclicals say?
Recommended Materials
​The AMISTAD Movement 
USCCB/MRS created the Amistad Movement to educate and engage immigrant leaders in the fight against human trafficking within communities that are frequently vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation in the United States. The Amistad Movement is intended to empower immigrants through a comprehensive and intensive training program.  
​
SHEPHERD Toolkit (Stop Human Trafficking and Exploitation, Protect, Help, Empower and Restore Dignity)
​USCCB/MRS is continually working to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern day slavery within the American Catholic community. 

COMPASS (Coalition of Organizations and Ministries Promoting the Abolition of Slavery at Sea) 
Through a cooperative agreement with the Department of State, and in furtherance of its relationship with the Apostleship of the Sea, USCCB/MRS works to strengthen the coordination, collaboration, and capacity of the global Catholic Church’s response to maritime trafficking and labor exploitation, as well as supply chain transparency. 

Trafficking Victims Assistance Program (TVAP) 
USCCB/MRS provides case management services to foreign-born survivors of trafficking and derivative family members as part of TVAP, funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  
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Pastoral Care

Parish Ministry Toolkits
Priests & Pastoral Leaders
MCC Legislative Information

Related Educational Topics

     Immigrants & Refugees
     Abortion

Resources & Referrals

     Human Trafficking
     Immigrants & Refugees

“Human trafficking is a crime against humanity. We must unite our efforts to free victims and stop this crime that’s become ever more aggressive, that threatens not just individuals, but the foundational values of society.”                                               
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                 Pope Francis


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Human Rights Office ~ Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph  ~ 20 West Ninth Street ~ Kansas City, MO 64105 ~ ​(816) 756-1850 ~ francis@diocesekcsj.org
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  • HOME
    • Catholic News & Current Events
    • Share Your Gifts
    • About Us
  • PASTORAL CARE
    • BCIT (African-American Apostolate)
    • CRS - (Food Security & Global Trade) >
      • CRS Rice Bowl Campaign
      • CRS Emergency Response
      • CRS Ethical Trade
    • Faith in Action (KofC)
    • "MAX" -- (Prison & Jail)
    • "VIA" -- (Immigration & Refugee)
    • "Life & Justice" -- (Stewardship)
    • Pastoral Partners >
      • A Simple House -- (Poverty & Evangelization)
      • Catholic Charities - KC-StJ
      • Catholic Mobilizing Network (Death Penalty)
      • Cristo Rey High School -- (Student Internships)
      • F.I.R.E. -- (Catholic Education & Special Needs)
      • Franciscan Mission Warehouse -- (Global Health Care)
      • Holy Rosary Credit Union -- (Small Dollar Loans)
      • Jerusalem Farm -- (Sustainable Living & Home Repairs)
      • Knights of Columbus
      • Morning Glory Ministries -- (Serving the Homeless)
      • NWMEF (Rural Economic Development)
      • Unbound -- (Global Human Development)
  • EDUCATION
    • Death Penalty
    • Human Trafficking
    • Immigrants & Refugees
    • Racism
    • Rural Life & Stewardship of Creation
    • Papal Encyclicals & Church Documents
    • Additional CST Sites >
      • Acton Institute -- Learning
      • CAPP-USA -- Contemporary Issues
      • Society of Catholic Social Scientists (SCSS)
      • USCCB - Issues & Action
  • PARISH MINISTRIES
    • Committees & Toolkits >
      • Parish Coordinator Sign-Up
    • Priests & Pastoral Leaders
    • Prayer & Liturgy
  • PUBLIC POLICY
    • Contacting Elected Officials
    • Human Rights Advocacy Organizations
  • RESOURCES
    • Criminal & Restorative Justice
    • Death Penalty
    • Human Trafficking
    • Immigrants & Refugees >
      • Emergency Planning
    • Mental Illness
    • Racism
    • Religious Liberty & Conscience Protection >
      • USCCB Religious Freedom Week
    • Rural Life & Stewardship of Creation
  • CONTACT US