Against Human Trafficking

‘The persistent work of Catholic sisters against human trafficking continues, as the world focuses today on efforts to stop the exploitation of humans for cheap labour and sex’ – says Chris Herlinger in his article in the Global Sisters Report today.  (see full content of this article on link below).

On today (30^th June) UN World Day against Human Trafficking, the Mercy International Association have launched a new publication: ‘Inherent Dignity, An Advocacy Handbook’ which aims to help anti-trafficking advocates and those at the grassroots working with  people who have been trafficked.

The UN International Labour Organisation (ILO)  defines Human Trafficking as ‘ a crime that exploits women, children and men for numerous purposes including forced labour and sex’.  The ILO estimates that 21 million people are victims of forced labour globally.

In her introduction to the publication Anne T. Gallagher, President of the International Catholic Migration Commission says the new handbook:

‘is ultimately about prevention.  It is about creating rights-based and respectful families, communities and societies where trafficking through sexual exploitation is no longer possible.  That goal is an ambitious one, but those we serve deserve nothing less’.

See link to downloading a pdf of this handbook in the article below as well as   HERE

Global Sisters Report Article – Mercy Sisters Share New Advocacy Handbook

About Talitha Kum   (2009 – 2019)

Talitha Kum is an international network of Consecrated Life against trafficking in persons. Working as a network it facilitates collaboration and the interchange of information between consecrated men and women in 76 countries.  Talitha Kum was founded in 2009.  It arose from the shared desire to coordinate and strengthen the already existing activities against trafficking undertaken by consecrated persons in the five continents.

Its goals

• To promote networking between consecrated persons, social organizations, religious and political leaders at national and international level
• To strengthen the existing activities and initiatives, optimizing the resources of the consecrated life, to promote preventative actions, awareness raising, protection and assistance of victims as well as official reporting of trafficking
• To develop educational programs for raising the awareness of this phenomenon, ( and to enhance the professional responses of our members)
• To act prophetically –  condemning  the exploitation of persons for economic or other motives and promoting campaigns aimed at changing of attitudes and practices.

See TheTalitha Kum Brochure

Talitha Kum is an expression that is found in the Gospel of Mark (5, 41).  The words, translated from the Aramaic mean “young girl, I say to you, arise.”

Trafficking in persons is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon, wounding tens of millions of individuals and the entire human society. The expression Talitha Kum is an invitation to all to stand up to counter with our voice, our actions, our daily choices and our lives everything that promotes and supports trafficking in persons.

Those who adhere to the values of Talitha Kum are committed to be neighbour to those who suffer the serious consequences of trafficking – men, women, children, and families. Their activities and projects are aimed at all those who are robbed of their dignity and deprived of liberty, regardless of their lifestyle, race, religion, economic or sexual orientation. The members of Talitha Kum living and bearing witness to Christian values, dialogue with and show respect for members of the different religious traditions and for non-believers.

See this link about Talitha Kum shared by the International Presentation Association (IPA)  Resource Link Invitation by LCWR