Native American Heritage Month, November 30th Webinar   Hidden in Plain Sight: A USCCB/MRS Anti-trafficking Newsletter January 2023 Issue 7 National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month The Anti-Trafficking section of Migration and Refugee Services hopes you had a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year! During the month of January, we highlight National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month as preparation for St. Josephine Bakhita's Feast Day (February 8). Through a presidential proclamation in 2010, President Barack Obama declared January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Every year since, the month is dedicated to bringing awareness, education, and information on how to both identify and prevent this crime. It is a great opportunity to raise awareness and share resources, information, history, and other ideas that will help put an end to human trafficking. January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, which is used to raise awareness and is part of a significant effort to deal with issues around human trafficking. This day is connected to the Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign, which aims to increase the understanding among Americans about the issue of human trafficking. Human trafficking is prevalent in communities across the country, is often overlooked and underreported, and affects men, women, and children, people of diverse socioeconomic statuses, ages, and educational backgrounds. To continue fighting and learning on the issue of human trafficking, we have developed an Anti-Trafficking Calender for 2024, which includes important dates and descriptions pertaining to all issues of human trafficking. More information will be added as it becomes available. To get this calendar check out our new St. Bakhita Page on the Justice for Immigrants Website. World Day of Prayer, Reflection, and Action Against Human Trafficking Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita While the Church recognizes the importance of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month as an opportunity to educate and inform the public, it is most important for Catholics as it anticipates the the Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita (February 8), which is both a Vatican-designated day of prayer and reflection against human trafficking. January can be understood as a period of preparation for the Church in the United States as we look to this important day of prayer. With encouragement from Pope Francis, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the International Union of Superiors General designated February 8th as an annual day of prayer and reflection against human trafficking. We pray that we may work together to remove the causes of this disgraceful scourge in all our cities and neighborhoods. We take bold action to help others grow in awareness of the problem of human trafficking taking place in their communities. We seek opportunities to accompany victims and survivors in their journey toward freedom and assist them in the process of renewal. St. Bakhita was born in the Darfur region of Sudan in 1869 and was kidnapped by slave traders and enslaved as a child. She was forced to walk barefoot over 600 miles and was sold multiple times to different owners before being sold to an Italian diplomat who took her to Italy; here, she valiantly asserted her freedom with the help of the Cannossian Sisters of Venice. St. Bakhita realized the promise of liberty inherent in the human spirit through her faith. She lived the rest of her life as a Cannossian sister, sharing her empowering testimony of human freedom and dignity. Following her rescue, she was baptized, received other sacraments, and became a religious sister in 1896. Her enslavement during her childhood was put to good use by sharing her testimony with others and advocating for human freedom and dignity. In October of 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized Josephine Bakhita, noting that in this saint, “we find a shining advocate of genuine emancipation.”  In celebration of her Feast Day, Catholics around the globe are encouraged to attend and/or host prayer services to generate greater awareness of the issues around human trafficking. Praying helps reflect on the experiences of those currently being trafficked while promoting human dignity, strength, and comfort and helping empower survivors of this horrible experience. In honor of the Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita, we have developed a 2024 Day of Prayer Toolkit to help you find ways to celebrate the Feast, with some background information, action items, and resources! You can find the toolkit on our St. Bakhita Page on our Justice for Immigrants website or email [email protected].  Defining Human Trafficking Human Trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some labor or commercial sex act. Inducing a minor into commercial sex is always considered human trafficking, regardless of the presence of force, fraud, or coercion. It is a crime under U.S. federal and international law and is also illegal in all 50 states in the United States. Due to the clandestine nature of this crime, human trafficking is difficult to quantify and an under-reported problem. The estimated number of victims actively trapped in a human trafficking situation worldwide is uncertain, as is the number of people involved in perpetrating this crime. Estimates vary widely, recognizing that perpetrators of this crime often find new tactics, methods, and means to exploit individuals; there is still much unknown about the crime. Human trafficking can take a variety of forms. Some people are trafficked for prostitution, pornography, and other sexual exploitation. Some are trafficked for forced labor in agriculture, sweatshops, and domestic servitude. Some are trafficked for both. Through sexual slavery, the body becomes little more than an object to be exploited. For victims of forced labor, the body is made into a disposable machine, made to work long hours for little or no pay and the profit of others. In both cases, the enslaved person is treated as an object for another’s benefit. The person’s God-given human dignity is either ignored or forgotten. Action Items How to Become More Aware, Support Victims, and Honor Survivors: Check out our St. Bakhita Page, on our Justice for Immigrants Website. Join our Monthly Newsletter where we discuss different topics about human trafficking, on the 8th of each month we meet on Zoom at 2PMEST. Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter for the upcoming year, 2024. Check out our 2024 Day of Prayer Toolkit, where you will find the necessary information to celebrate the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita. Watch movies on this topic and hold discussions with your friends, peers, family members, and church group. See movie topics and discussions here. Organize a supply drive for victims living in shelters or safe houses. Find an organization near your area, and gather volunteers and supplies! Learn about St. Josephine Bakhita, the Church’s inspiration of hope and resilience for victims of trafficking. Donate to national organizations that help victims of human trafficking or to our catholic fund. Wear BLUE on January 11th and offer your day to the victims of trafficking. Be ready for someone to ask you why you are wearing blue and share information about the issues of human trafficking! Monthly Event: Prayer Service USCCB/MRS has launched a St. Josephine Bakhita Working Group - a team of individuals who meet monthly to discuss and plan strategies related to different topics and issues pertaining to human trafficking. One of our initiatives includes a monthly prayer service that focuses on human trafficking and uses Scripture readings, prayers, and personal reflections meant to highlight this problem. We chose the 8th of every month as the date to hold these monthly prayer services in honor of the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, which takes place on February 8th. We are hoping to have this prayer reflection serve as an opportunity for education and ongoing conversation on the issue of human trafficking throughout the year to touch on the many issues that make someone vulnerable to exploitation. Each month we will use the same Zoom link: [link removed] Online Webinar Catholic Roundtable and USCCB have partnered to share this webinar opportunity for all. This webinar will provide an in-depth overview of the issue of human trafficking while using the See–Judge–Act methodology for participants to learn, reflect, and act on this issue. The presenters will discuss the Vatican and U.S. efforts to combat human trafficking, inform practical aspects of social ministry, and share resources and advocacy actions for social action directors and collaborators to engage in these efforts. This webinar will be in English at (1 PM EST) and Spanish (at 6 PM EST), On Tuesday, January 23rd! New Resource! We are thrilled to announce that we have a new St. Bakhita prayer card! Amy Heyse painted the beautiful piece of art that graces the front. Although we cannot print to order, we can share with you a PDF version of the prayer card. We also have the prayer card available in Spanish. For more information, please email [email protected] If you want to learn more about the USCCB/MRS' Anti-Trafficking Program, reach out to: Felicitas Brugo Onetti Anti-Trafficking Education and Outreach Coordinator Email: [email protected] Phone: (202) 541-3064   Our Company | Contact Us   USCCB | 3211 Fourth Street NE, Washington, DC 20017 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!