ACRATH Launches Appeal
ACRATH, Australia’s leading Catholic anti-trafficking organisation, is appealing for funds to continue its support for trafficked people. President Sr Louise Cleary csb said the global pandemic had put millions of vulnerable adults and children at risk of being trafficked. It had also impacted trafficked people across Australia. ACRATH’s fundraising campaign runs over June and July culminating on 30 July – UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. ACRATH receives no government funding and relies on the generosity of the community to fund its work to combat human trafficking through advocacy, awareness raising and support for trafficked people in Australia.
During the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 – 2021 many survivors of trafficking, living in Australia on restricted visas, were not eligible for certain benefits. ACRATH provided assistance to help these people buy food or pay bills. ACRATH’s Executive Officer Christine Carolan said donations were now needed to
maintain programs such as the Companionship Program, which provides long-term day-to-day support for women trafficked in Australia. Some are victims of a forced marriage; others came to Australia and were trafficked into sexual exploitation and forced labour.
The Companionship Program began more than 13 years ago when ACRATH was approached by organisations, including Australian Federal Police, Red Cross, Anti- Slavery Australia and Project Respect. These organisations work with people who have experienced deep trauma and who need a Companion with whom they can talk about their day-to-day struggles. ACRATH’s Companions support trafficked women and their families through the everyday issues and help them navigate the next steps in their post-trafficking lives; they go to court hearings, help them find accommodation and even accompany parents to parent/teacher interviews to try and achieve better educational outcomes for the children of trafficked women. ACRATH has 13 trained and supervised Companions who offer support and friendship to 34 trafficked women and their 45 children. Two Companions also support groups of seasonal workers in Victoria and Queensland.
Donate today to support ACRATH’s Companionship Program at https://www.trybooking.com/au/donate/acrath or https://acrath.org.au/donate/
Meet two ACRATH Companions, Kathy Fagan and Liz Payne, at the first of our new online Conversation Series. Liz and Kathy will talk about their work at on Wednesday 30 June at 11.15 AEST (cuppa) and 11.30 – noon (Conversation).
Join the zoom event:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89866995755?pwd=d3ZkQWQrUHFtOG5xNmJ1c0hDb1VoUT09
Contact:
Rosie Hoban – media@acrath.org.au
