COLLABORATING TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING

New York Coalition of Religious Congregations Stop Trafficking Of Persons New York Coalition of Religious Congregations Stop Trafficking Of Persons

 What is Human Trafficking? “Human Trafficking is considered modern day slavery. It is an invisible trade in human beings, our brothers and sisters who are bought and sold each day. They are the world’s poor in search of a better life. They are deceived, entrapped, taken from their homes to unknown places, robbed of their dignity; they become human cargo, used in the machinery of economic globalization.” (Intercommunity Center for Justice and Peace )

“ Human Trafficking, in essence, is a modern-day form of slavery. It involves exploitation and forced servitude. To recognize and address all forms of human trafficking, the language used to discuss it should focus on the harsh reality of victims’ suffering and the horrific crimes of perpetrators”. (Trafficking in Persons Report)

 Praying for Victims of Torture  The Invitation from Leadership 2001 USG  Study and prayer  NY Times Article 2004 – Peter Landersman  Meeting - Landersman presented.  June 2005 meeting in Baltimore - USCCB/MRS

 Member of SC Global Concerns Resource Team  Presentation on Root Causes of Poverty and Issue of Human Trafficking  Presentation in US and Canada.

We, sisters of Charity (Halifax), called to be prophetic women in a world wounded by violence and stripped of hope, are committed to make the love of God visible in our world by serving person who are poor, especially thos who through shame conceal their necessities. We stand together in a time when we hear the silent cries of victims of human trafficking especially those women and children taken for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. We commit ourselves to work to eradicate this global human rights violation and to affirm the dignity of all human beings.

 To Pray individually and communally  To educate myself on the magnitude, causes and consequences of this global injustice  To participate in advocacy, campaigns and education projects that aim to elminate the demand for human trafficking.  To deepen my understanding of attitudes, structures and laws which allow the demand for trafficked persons to continue with impunity

 Collaborate with Religious Congregations, NGO and other groups  Advocate for policies and programs that address the needs of Victims and those in danger  Advocate for the promotion and implemetation of laws that prosecute traffickers and buyers of sex.  Advocate for laws to protect victims  Assist through financial support.

 2005 the coalition formed  2006 Grant from SC Leadership  March 2007 LWN incorporated  Purpose:  To provide safety for women  To educate the public about human trafficking  collaboration

Sisters of Charity LifeWay Network Coalition NYCRC- STOP

 Safe Housing Committee  Emergency Safe Spaces Program  Convents/Communities willing to open their homes  Training Around Trauma  Social Service Providers  Program began in 2009 with five safe spaces  Collaboration with LE and Legal community

In partnership with LIFEWAY NETWORK

 Department of Sociology  Questions:  2011 Report published  Meeting the Service Needs of Human Trafficking survivors in the New York City Metropolitan Area: Assessment and Recommendations (  Critical findings  11,268 Trafficked Survivors

 LifeWay House  Five years to open a long term housing program  Fund raising with coalition  Model of community living  Discernment process  Formation of intentional community  Opening of LifeWay House March 2012  Safe Secure environment  Housed six women – Sex and labor trafficking

 Accommodates five women  Full-time house manager & Part-time social worker  Daily activities  Volunteers  MOU with Service Providers  Our Guests.

 Presentations  Education coordinator  Goals  Awareness – We see  Knowledge – We understand  Commitment – We will work for change  Initiatives  Speakers Bureau  LWN HT Training Team

 Strategic Planning to guide future growth:  Expand Emergency Safe Spaces Program  Raising funds for second transitional house  Expand education program Through its Safe Housing Program, LifeWay is changing lives. Through its Education Program, LifeWay is changing society and the culture in which modern day slavery exists. …And we can only do this together….

New York Coalition of Religious Congregations Stop Trafficking Of Persons New York Coalition of Religious Congregations Stop Trafficking Of Persons

COLLABORATING TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING

 O God, our words cannot express what our minds can barely comprehend and our hearts feel when we hear of children and adults deceived and transported to unknown places for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor because of human greed  Our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are being transgressed through threats, deception and force. We cry out against the degrading practice of trafficking and pray for it to end.  Strengthen the fragile-spirited and broken-hearted. Make real your promises to fill these our sisters and brothers with a love that is tender and good and send the exploiters away empty-handed.  Give us the wisdom and courage to stand in solidarity with them, that together we will find ways to the freedom that is your gift to all of us.  Amen. Gen.Cassani, SSND 2008 \