The religious sisters who operate Talitha Kum Zambia assist trafficking victims like Angela, who responded to an ad for a teaching job in Thailand and was instead held captive and coerced into scamming people online.
The event featured Catholic sisters and representatives of key organizations battling human trafficking, who discussed pivotal partnerships, technology and programs helping to prevent trafficking and to aid survivors.
Sr. Philomena Okwu was presented an award of excellence for her outstanding dedication to victims of human trafficking and contribution to anti-human trafficking efforts by Nigeria's Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour.
"It's happening everywhere. It can happen to anyone," Maryknoll Sr. Abby Avelino, international coordinator of Talitha Kum, said during an online panel. "Everybody has a role to play to combat human trafficking."
From A Nun's Life podcasts - St. Francis of Assisi Sr. 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.
Horizons - The International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking calls us all to stay vigilant for our neighbors. Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit and other sisters have also taken action.
For more than 30 years, Sr. Martha Pelloni has been defending the rights of women and children who are victims of violence, abuse and trafficking. She also has been confronting government corruption.
As volunteers for LifeWay's community housing program, Our Lady of the Missions Srs. Claudia Stecker and Kate O'Neill help human trafficking survivors put their lives back together.
As the nation marks National Human Trafficking Awareness Day Jan. 11, women religious in the U.S. are combating modern slavery with prayer and education.
