How to Help:

a woman with tape on her mouth
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com

Don’t Ignore the Signs:

  • Unable to leave the work environment
  • Has limited contact with family or friends
  • They are an adult, but someone else controls their movement
  • Not allowed to speak for themselves or someone else always answers basic questions on their behalf
  • Shows visible fear or anxiety, but avoids eye contact
  • Repeatedly has unexplained injuries or bruises
  • Has no form of formal identification, such as a passport, license, state ID
  • Receives little or no payment 
  • Works excessively long hours over long periods

To report human trafficking contact:

National Human Trafficking Resource Center: 

  • Operates 24/7, provides service referrals 
  • Call – 1-888-3737-888
  • Text – BeFree (233733)
  • In an emergency, call 911.

Be a responsible consumer:

Don’t support slave labor. Trafficking can be anywhere—hotels, clubs, restaurants, etc. Don’t overlook it. Be aware of the signs and report situations that seem suspicious. Visit www.slaveryfootprint.org to learn more about how consumers unknowingly support slave labor.

“It is good for people to realize that purchasing is always a moral – and not simply economic – act. Hence the consumer has a specific social responsibility, which goes hand-in-hand with the social responsibility of the enterprise.” – Pope Benedict XVI (Caritas in Veritate)

Purchase ethically:

Visit Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade for more resources www.crsfairtrade.org  }Look for items labeled “fair trade” especially on products like coffee, tea, sugar, chocolate, and cotton}Read the Department of Labor reports on goods made by child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking http://www.dol.gov/ilab/media/reports/iclp/main.htm

Be a responsible employer and business owner:

  • Know the origins of the goods you sell, especially how they are manufactured or harvested
  • Ensure that all workers and contractors are treated fairly
  • Partner with a local anti-trafficking organization to offer employment to survivors of trafficking who are trying to rebuild their lives
  • Learn about your responsibilities as an employer www.dol.gov/whd
  • Use the Department of Labor toolkit for responsible business www.dol.gov/ilab/child-forced-labor/index.htm

What else can you do:

Provide support to the Central Virginia Justice Initiative: http://www.centralvajusticeinitiative.com

  • Central Virginia Justice Initiative, a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate, equip and mobilize our Central Virginia
  • Mailing Address:
    • 11316 Tyrell Court
    • Fredericksburg, VA 22407
  • Phone Number:
    • 1-866-620-2889 ext 1
  • Contact your elected Virginia representatives and ask that they create legislation to support the reporting of Human Trafficking violations in our state

Pronouncements:

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops – Anti-Trafficking Program – The USCCBs’ Anti-Trafficking Program aims to educate on the scourge of human trafficking as an offense against the fundamental dignity of the human person, to advocate for its end, and to provide training and technical assistance to support survivors. Human Trafficking – USCCB/MRS is combating modern-day slavery, one community at a time.

GLOBAL FREEDOM NETWORK – Harnessing the faith community to drive impact through empathy. The Global Freedom Network (GFN) is committed to the eradication of modern slavery through engagement with faith leaders around the world and working with them to take spiritual and practical actions to eradicate modern slavery.

International Justice Mission (IJM) Slavery and trafficking still exist today. There are more children, women and men trapped in slavery than ever before in human history. People are beaten, raped and starved for the profit of others around the world.

The Order of Franciscan Seculars is a Section 501(c) (3) charitable organization. All donations are deemed tax-deductible absent any limitations on deductibility applicable to a particular taxpayer. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution.