Human Trafficking – Its Reality and Consequences

World Day of Prayer Media Release

The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference and ACRATH have released a media statement for the World Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action Against Human Trafficking which is held each year on 8th February, the feast of St Josephine Bakhita.

“On the Feast of St Josephine Bakhita today, 8 February, bishops and religious leaders across Australia support the call from Pope Francis to end the injustice of human trafficking against all people, in particular children.

‘They are children! Not slaves!’ is the theme for Bakhita Day this year. Pope Francis has designated today a world day of prayer, reflection and action against human trafficking.

St Bakhita is the Patron Saint for victims of slavery. The United Nations estimates that one in every three victims of human trafficking is a child. It is estimated that 30 million children have lost their childhood through sexual exploitation over the past 30 years. Annually, millions of children are trafficked into domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, pornography production, forced marriage, illegal adoption, forced labour, and to become child soldiers.” Read more…

Resources can be found here.