1. And so do between 20 and 30 million slaves in the world today. Jesus takes up the Cross

2. Human Trafficking is a plague on humanity, a wound unworthy in a civil society, a crime against humanity, an open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the Body of Christ. Pope Francis 2015

3.  The revenue created by the exploitation of these women, children and men creates approximately US$32 billion annually  Modern Day Slavery is the 3rd largest crime industry after the drug industry and the arms trade

4. Exploitation Involuntary Servitude Forced Marriage Forced Prostitution Removal of Organs Debt Bondage Withholding of document s Verbal abuse, humiliation Isolation Verbal abuse, humiliation Fear, distrust of the Law Threats to family members in home country Physical Violence/ sexual assault

5. Russia & Eurasia 2,599,300 Europe 566,200 East Asia & Pacific 6,052,99 South Asia 17,459,900 Sub-Saharan Africa 5,519,200 Middle East & Nth Africa 2,178,100 Americas 1,285,000 Number of people living in slavery by region.

6. Human trafficking is the only industry in which the supply and demand are the same thing: human beings. A woman can be bought for $10,000 and earn her pimp more than that in 1week.

7. 80% 0f the slave trade is for sexual exploitation 20% is forced labour 70% of slaves are female %50% are children Children enslaved to make bricks in India and Nepal Migrant workers on farms in Northern Victoria are working in slave like conditions Women sewing in factories, low wages, long hours of work and without any rights- South Asia

8. Children dive underwater for gold. Sometimes they have to go into very narrow mine shafts and only rely on a diesel motor to pump air into their breathing tubes. Are human lives worth so little ?

10. God knows I would rather be poor and hungry than the poor of Kingston or elsewhere should be deprived of any consolation in our power to afford. Letter 1 Nov. 1838

11. Burmese children and women waiting to work in the shrimp industry in Thailand Child Labour in Santiago, Ecuador

12. Poverty Why People May be Trafficked

13. Address at morning General Audience St Peter’s Square 27 th Jan 2016

14. What about the ‘demand’ – the motor sustaining the trade? It is the demand for cheap labour, for organs, for prostitution where rich people’s wants nullify poor people’s right to work in physical safety, To protect their own bodies against abuse, To value their own bodily parts as necessary for life itself. This demand is growing not decreasing. Professor Margaret S Archer. President pf Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences

15. Reflect on how this image relates to the demand for trafficking of women and children. How does the demand for sexual exploitation destroy the fabric of our lives? How is God manifested in this situation?

16. Sisters of Mercy are actively working against Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery on every continent in the world. MIA works with the United Nations and the European Union who are also focussing on Trafficking/Modern Slavery as a priority issue.

17. Some of the Australian Sisters of Mercy who are members of ACRATH ACRATH Conference 2015

18. Bakhita Initia tive Catholic Health Association USA) Ending Child Slavery at the Source (ECPAT-USA) Truckers Against Trafficking US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking Stella’s Circle - Canada Coalition Against Human Trafficking - Canada US Groups

19. Act to Prevent Trafficking (APT) - Ireland Mercy- End Child Prostitution and Trafficking in the Hospitality sector (MECPATH) - The Congregation Ruhama Women at the Well Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales/Conference of Religious/National Board of Catholic Women

20. Religious in Europe Networking Against Trafficking and Exploitation (RENATE) – Europe Talitha Kum

21. Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans ACRATH Aotearoa New Zealand Religious Against Trafficking in Humans ANZRATH

22. Our Inspiration : I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. John 10,10 In Australia, ACRATH aims to  Raise awareness of human trafficking, its causes and the scope for local action  Work to ensure the rights and complex needs of people trafficked into Australia are met  Collaborate with like-minded organisations in Australia, the Asia Pacific region and globally to advocate for measures to address human trafficking

23. Education Advocacy Radio messages Campaigning Working with other NGOs with similar aims Research Accompanying ACRATH

24. Prayer for the Victims of Human Trafficking from Prayer by Carol Hogan RIP 18/4/13 God of hope, who led the Israelites to freedom, guide our actions as we strive to make the dream for a hopeful tomorrow a reality. For the estimated 20 million women, men and children currently held in slavery-like conditions. May human dignity be restored to those who have been bought, sold or kidnapped for the monetary benefit of others. We pray… We pray for a hopeful tomorrow For those in bonded labour, agricultural fields, mines and factories, who have been reduced to tools of production - commodities rather than human beings. We pray… For children exploited and objectified in the commercial sex industry, that they may be free to play, learn and grow up in freedom and safety, We pray… For children forced to become soldiers, made into tools for violence in many countries. We pray…

25. For all trafficked victims that they may receive healing and the support they need. We pray… For a change in societal attitudes which for centuries have denied women, equality and dignity. We pray… For victims of trafficking in our own local community – in domestic servitude, in local businesses, in forced prostitution, in forced marriage. May we have eyes to see and take steps to make our community slave-free. We Pray… For the success of efforts to stop the demand for human trafficking. May we as consumers, support Fairtrade products and stop the demand for cheaper products. We pray… God of all peoples, awaken our hearts and deepen our commitment to work for a world where every person is free and able to live their lives fully and joyfully. We ask for conversion of heart for traffickers and for strong laws that protect victims. Help us to grow in our awareness that we are all connected. Give us wisdom and courage to stand in solidarity with those who have been enslaved, so that together we will find ways to the freedom that is your gift to all your people. Amen