1. Critical Concern: Human Trafficking
By Sophia Visaggio

2. What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is the illegal capturing and moving people from one area or country to another, usually for forced labor or sexual exploitation or slavery. Human trafficking is a major issue not only in the United States but also in the world today.
There are many forms of human trafficking, including: sex trafficking, domestic servitude, bonded labor, forced labor, child labor, and forced marriage.
Many of the victims of human trafficking are coerced or forced into this “modern-day slavery,” and they have no option to leave.
It is estimated that there are 24.9 million people trapped in forced labor because of human trafficking worldwide.

3. Why is Human Trafficking a Critical Concern of Mercy?
According to the Sisters of Mercy, human trafficking is a top priority in the over 40 countries in which they live and serve in.
Human Trafficking is a critical concern of the Sisters of Mercy because it is an issue that severely impacts the human person.
The Sisters of Mercy work for peace through education, prayer, personal practices, and communal practices of nonviolence.
The Sisters of Mercy work towards stopping human trafficking and a reduction of violence in communities.
The Sisters of Mercy support victims of human trafficking, advocate for services to help victims, educate law enforcement, the hospital industry, and community service providers about their roles in reaching victims and punishing human traffickers.

4. Human Trafficking and Works of Mercy
Human Trafficking is related to the following works of mercy:
Visit the imprisoned-visit and help those who have been and may be imprisoned by human trafficking; visit victims of human trafficking to relate to them and ask them how to help because they have first-hand experience
Instruct the ignorant-spread awareness to human traffickers and those who do not believe in or see human trafficking as a real and urgent issue.

6. Action-Means-Purpose

7. Types of Human Trafficking
Sex Trafficking:
Sex traffickers use manipulation, threats, lies, debt bondage, and other coercions to compel children and adults to engage in commercial sex acts against their will.
Many victims of sex trafficking become romantically involved with an individual and then that individual forces or manipulates the victim into prostitution.
Other victims are coerced in with fake promises of a job, like dancing or modeling. Some victims are forced by their parents or family members to sell sex.
Labor Trafficking:
Labor traffickers, including contractors, employers, and recruiters, use lies, threats, debt bondage, violence, and other coercions to force people to work against their will.
Labor traffickers usually make fake promises of high-paying jobs and exciting education opportunities that lure people into horrible working conditions for long hours with little to no pay.
The employers exert a physical and/or psychological control over the victims.

8. Statistics Sex Trafficking:
1 in 7 endangered runaways reported were likely sex trafficking victims
Since 2007, there have been 34,700 sex trafficking cases in the US
There are an estimated 4.8 million people around the world trapped in forced sexual exploitation
Labor Trafficking:
Globally, there are 20.1 million people trapped in forced labor in industries such as domestic work, manufacturing, construction, and agriculture
There have been reports of over 7,800 labor trafficking cases in the US
148 goods from 76 countries have been identified to be made by child and forced labor

10. How to Recognize Human Trafficking
Common Work and Living Conditions:
Isn’t free to leave or come and go at will
Is unpaid or paid very little
Is under 18 and providing commercial sex acts
Poor Physical Health:
Poor hygiene, fatigue, malnourishment; shows sign of confinement, torture, abuse
Lack of Control:
Has little or no personal possessions and is frequently monitored
Poor Mental Health or Abnormal Behavior:
Is fearful, depressed, anxious, tense, submissive, paranoid, or nervous
Shows signs of substance use or addiction

11. Myths about Human Trafficking
All human trafficking cases involve commercial sex.
Only undocumented foreign nationals get trafficked in the US.
It is always or usually a violent crime.
Human trafficking involves traveling, moving, or transporting a person across state or national borders.
All commercial sex is human trafficking.
If the trafficked person consented to be in their initial situation, then it can’t be considered human trafficking or against their will because they “knew better.”
Traffickers target victims they do not know.

12. Pope Benedict on Human Ecology
Know as the “Green Pope,” Pope Benedict condemns human trafficking and sex tourism.
“The trafficking of human beings for sexual exploitation or organ harvesting as well as the exploitation of minors, abandoned into the hands of individuals without scruples and undergoing abuse and torture, sadly happen often in the context of tourism.” -Pope Benedict

13. Pope Francis on Human Ecology
In Pope Francis’ address to the international community of nations, he connected environmental deterioration to other issues of human dignity and human life.
Pope Franci publicly spoke against human trafficking and its sin against human rights and dignity and the right to life freely.

14. Pope Francis on Integral Ecology
The term “integral ecology” refers to the connection between every living organism, since every organism is interconnected in some way.
The word “integral” means whole, and the word “ecology” means the study of the home/environment. Integral ecology is the whole living environment that all organisms share and understanding the integrity of this connection.
There is a dual relationship between the natural environment and human person, and if the environment is negatively impacted, so is humanity and therefore society and human, social issues, such as economic, political, religious, and cultural issues, are impacted, which make up our society and culture.
Pope Francis says that we must take a “holistic view of the human person.” Therefore, we must think of all the rights of humans and respect them, both by spreading awareness against human trafficking and helping victims of human trafficking.

15. Pope Francis on the Issue of Human Trafficking
Pope Francis is committed to fighting human trafficking, and he puts in a lot of effort to end this inhumane form of slavery and encourage others to recognize, help prevent, and help to end human trafficking around the world.
Ever since he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires Pope Francis has been committed to fighting human trafficking.
Pope Francis created an annual Mass for victims of human trafficking, when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
“It is not possible to remain indifferent before the knowledge that human beings are bought and sold like goods.” -Pope Francis

16. Human Trafficking, according to Laudato Si
Section 82-Pope Francis tells us that if we see other living beings, whether it is animals or humans, as subject to human domination, we are mistaken, and this causes many consequences for society.
Section 91- emphasizes that if we have a deep connection with nature, it cannot even be real if we cannot combat human trafficking in our society. Pope Francis notes the inconsistency of humans to fight for the end of trafficking of endangered species or other animals, yet many humans fail to recognize or try to help combat human trafficking.
Section 123-discusses the inherent danger of the culture of relativism, which leads people to take advantage of others and treat other people as objects to perform acts or labor, to pay their debts or not. This is a form of human trafficking and this thinking leads to the sexual exploitation and slavery of children. There are people who try to ignore human trafficking because they see it as just a way the economy is regulated and they see the effects of trafficking as just collateral damage.
Section 197-highlights the importance of politics in fighting against human trafficking by creating laws and helping to encourage the end of trafficking. In this section, Pope Francis also mentions that if a state doesn't complete its duties, then certain businesses can actually come forward as benefactors and gain power, which then they see themselves as having no rules, and they believe that they will not have repercussions if they participate in human trafficking.

17. Human Trafficking, According to the YOUCAT
Lesson 435 explains the Catholic viewpoint on human trafficking, which is that it is a shameful and inexcusable act, and that all humans must protect and respect others, because it is part of the Ten Commandments.
Lesson 435 also states that human trafficking is a sin against the dignity of all human beings.
The 7th commandment forbids enterprises or acts that lead to the enslavement of human beings, to buying or selling them, in complete disregard for their personal dignity.

18. Organizations that are Aiding Victims of Human Trafficking
R.E.N.A.T.E.
R.E.N.A.T.E = Religious in Europe Networking Against Trafficking and Exploitation
RENATE is a network of religious individuals in Europe that are committed to working together to end human trafficking and the exploitation of humans.
Talitha Kum
TalithaKum, the International Network of Consecrated Life Against Trafficking in Persons, is an organization made up of Catholic women, established in 2009 by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG). Talitha Kum is based in Rome, Italy.

19. US Government and Vatican cooperation on the issue of human trafficking-The Holy See
The Holy See is the universal government of the Catholic Church that is based in the Vatican City State.
The United States and the Holy See consult each other, work together, and cooperate on international issues, such as peace and conflict prevention, human rights, poverty, environmental protection, and religious freedom.
Since Pope Francis became Pope, he has become a global advocate for caring for the marginalized and the poor and working with the Holy See to take action to end human trafficking around the world.

20. Personal Viewpoint
Personally, I believe that human trafficking is a major issue in not only the United States, but also the entire world.
I also believe that politicians and world leaders can and should do more about human trafficking.
I want to spread awareness about this issue and educate my classmates about it because it can happen to anyone.
I hope that I can begin to help victims, who are still enslaved by human trafficking and those who are recovering from the emotional and physical trauma of human trafficking.
By spreading awareness about human trafficking and sharing this issue with others, more people can work together to help prevent and end this horrible issue.

21. Alternate Solutions/How to Help
Alert authorities to a suspicious situation, in order to help them track offenders. Never confront a suspected victim unless they are hurt and may need immediate help and care (their assailant may be watching, so be careful).
Advocate and build awareness for human trafficking, encourage the government to pass laws that help human trafficking victims as well as laws that help law enforcement become better trained to handle human trafficking situations.
Volunteer for and support anti-trafficking efforts in your state and/or community.

22. Human Trafficking Resources
National Human Trafficking Hotline:
1 (888)
BeFree Textline:
Text "BeFree" (233733)
To report suspected human trafficking:
1 (866)
*DO NOT attempt to confront a suspected trafficker directly or alert a victim to any suspicions*

23. Works Cited
human-trafficking-sex-tourism
human-trafficking.html
human-ecology-begins-with-accepting-the-body-82532
schools-un-general-assembly-on-human-ecology
towards-a-human-ecology-person-life-nature
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