Nuns vs worldwide trafficking in women

July 30 or two days ago was the United Nations (UN) World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. I wish civil society hereabouts had marked this day in a special way by focusing on the recent raids and discovery of trafficked persons in our midst. These victims, foreign nationals mostly, had been held and tortured in Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) hubs run by Chinese nationals allegedly in cahoots with both Philippine national and local officials.

That President Marcos has declared the banning of Pogos starting July 22 after years of operation under the Duterte administration does not mean they have been exterminated totally and instantly. The dismantling process will take some time. But we have learned through media reports what traffickers in humans do to their fellow humans. Cruelty in many forms is the method of control. Profit is the be-all and end-all.

That said, it is heartening to note that women, Catholic women religious particularly who, inspired by their Christian faith, work without fanfare to battle the scourge in many parts of the world. The targets of their mission are women and girls rendered vulnerable by their life situations.

This year’s UN theme is “Leave no child behind in the fight against human trafficking.” It cited its “Global Report on Trafficking in Persons” and stressed that “[t]raffickers exploit online platforms, social media, and the dark web to recruit and exploit children, utilizing technology to evade detection, reach wider audiences, and disseminate exploitative content.”

But how are church groups responding to the problem? People also need to know how the fight is being carried out on the ground so they may be inspired and do their part. Global Sisters Report (GSR) is shining a light on these efforts. GSR describes itself as “an independent, nonprofit source of news and information about Catholic sisters and the critical issues facing the people they serve.” It is a project of the National Catholic Reporter Publishing Co. (Disclosure: I have contributed many feature articles to GSR. Check GSR online, the video clip especially.)

Here are some GSR story summaries and glimpses into what nuns have to confront.

“Vietnamese nuns work to end human trafficking”: “Just at the age of 15 in 2018, Ho Chi was tricked into getting a well-paying job in trading clothes from neighboring China, and she was sold to a Chinese farmer who was 34 years older than her.”

“’Powerhouse’ network of sisters launches 5-year plan to combat trafficking”: “One of the world’s leading groups combating human trafficking has outlined its priorities for the next five years, which will include a renewed push for systemic change to root out modern slavery, a commitment to survivor-centered approach to accompanying trafficking victims, and an expansion of global partnerships.”

“Nigerian sister honored for work against human trafficking”: “Sister Philomena Okwu … was presented an award of excellence for her outstanding dedication to victims of human trafficking [efforts] …”

“A place where trafficked women can come and rest”: “Sister Margaret Kruse … talks about the creation of Sisters Program South, [which offers respite] for women who are in prostitution or who have been trafficked [in Milwaukee].”

“LifeWay Network helps human trafficking survivors adjust to a new normal”: “[Our Lady of the Missions] Sisters Claudia Stecker and Kate O’Neill help human trafficking survivors … put their lives together again.”

“Women religious gear up for battle against human trafficking with prayer, education”: “As the nation marks National Human Trafficking Awareness Day Jan. 11, women religious in the US are combating modern slavery with prayer and education.”

“Seminar puts a face on reality of human trafficking in Latin America”: “[At an] event organized by the Confederation of Latin American and Caribbean Religious, … [sisters] share experiences, learn more about the topic and collaborate on anti-trafficking efforts.”

“Fight against trafficking must include combating its crimes online, advocate says”: “‘New challenges in preventing and combating human trafficking affecting children have emerged,’ particularly as traffickers are using the internet ‘to advertise and sell children online for sexual exploitation and to distribute child sexual abuse material,’ said Maryknoll Sister Abby Avelino, international coordinator for the international network Talitha Kum.”

“Using God-given gifts to support anti-trafficking work”: “Some older Catholic sisters are supporting anti-trafficking efforts by knitting scarves and gloves for a respite center that serves trafficking victims.”

“Sisters across the globe work to eradicate human trafficking”: “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the complex phenomenon of human trafficking has moved underground, making it harder for law enforcement to detect. But sisters haven’t slowed their efforts in protecting victims and rehabilitating survivors.”

So, you see, women religious are ever in the thick of things, unmindful of the risks to their lives, fearful at times, yes, but remaining faithful to their vows to serve. They also know when to cry, “Foul! Do not cross the line.”

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