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We commit ourselves to
work against violence, manipulation of the truth, attacks on the family,
dehumanization of women, and the abandonment of children.
(SHALOM Document, School Sisters of Notre Dame)
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What is “human trafficking”?
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Trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery.
Each year an estimated 700,000 to 1.5 million people worldwide fall victim
to international traffickers. These victims, predominately women and
children, are forced into unpaid labor, debt bondage, coerced prostitution
or sexual servitude, often under the direction of international organized
crime rings. The trafficking of human beings is the third largest source
of profit for international organized crime, after drugs and arms, with
revenue amounting to billions of dollars each year.
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What we do:
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The School Sisters of Notre Dame accept and
support the 2001 Declaration of the International Union of General
Superiors (UISG):
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“We publicly declare our determination to work in
solidarity with one another, with particular attention to the
trafficking of women.”
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The School Sisters of Notre Dame have responded to this problem in a
number of ways and made the struggle against trafficking one of its main
focuses.
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On an educational level, we have prepared and distributed material,
Theological Reflection on Trafficking, to raise consciousness among
our members, our colleagues, and those to whom we minister.
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We have been involved in campaigns for stronger legislation
regarding trafficking in the United States Congress and in the European
Union. School Sisters of Notre Dame serve on task forces and other
committees regarding the problem of trafficking of human beings.
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| We pray for the end to human trafficking.
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O God, our words cannot
express what our
minds can barely comprehend and our hearts
feel when we hear of women and girls deceived
and transported to unknown places for purposes of sexual exploitation and
abuse because of human greed and profit at this time in our world.
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Our hearts are
saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are being
transgressed through threats, deception, and force.
We cry out against
the degrading practice of trafficking and pray for it to end.
Strengthen the fragile-spirited and broken-hearted.
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Make real your
promises to fill these our sisters with a love that is tender and good
and send the exploiters away empty handed.
Give us the wisdom and courage to stand in solidarity with them, that
together we will find ways to the freedom that is your gift to
all of us.
Amen.
Prayer by S. Gen Cassani, SSND
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Learn more:
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A comprehensive “Information and Workshop Kit
on Trafficking in Women and Children” is available from the Working Group
on Trafficking (Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Commission of
UISG) The 63-page kit is available in English, Spanish, French, and
Italian. For more information contact:
info.ssnd@pcn.net
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Research and Action
in combating modern-day slavery.
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| UN Office on Drugs and Crime is
information on trafficking from Vienna.
Protocol and Background
and
Human Beings
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Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
is a NGO promoting women’s human
rights, works internationally to combat sexual exploitation.
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| ECPAT
International
is a network of organizations and
individuals working for the elimination of child prostitution, child
pornography, and trafficking children for sexual purposes. Web page is
published in English, Spanish, and French.
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Stop Trafficking! is dedicated
exclusively to fostering an exchange of information among religious
congregations, their friends, and collaborating organizations working to
eliminate all forms of trafficking of human beings. It is available in
English and Spanish.
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| The Vatican offers a variety of statements at
Vatican on Human Trafficking in
Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese.
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Das
"Aktionsbündnis Gegen Frauenhandel" umfasst Vertreterinnen und Vertreter von rund 20 Organisationen
und Verbänden aus dem bayerischen Raum, vorwiegend aus dem kirchlichen
Bereich.
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| Deutsche Abteilung von Terres des Femmes (analog zu Terres des
hommes), die für
Menschenrechte für Frauen arbeitet.
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Das Deutsche
Institut
für Menschenrechte soll über die Lage der Menschenrechte
informieren und zur Prävention von Menschenrechtsverletzungen sowie zur
Förderung und zum Schutz der Menschenrechte beitragen.
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| Hilfe für
Osteuropa
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What can you do?
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1. Keep informed about trafficking on a
global, national, and local level and become involved
in groups who work against this heinous crime.
2. Find out about trafficking in your country.
3. Pray the
Prayer to End Trafficking
on a regular basis.
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Copyright © 2005 by SSND
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Last update:
09 June 2008
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