Take Action Against Human Trafficking

Take Action Against Human Trafficking!

Across the world and throughout the United States, human beings are forced into labor, exploited in commercial sexual enterprises, and moved across national or state borders against their will, frightened and terrorized into silence.  Trafficking in persons is the 3rd largest illegal trade business around the world (drugs and small arms lead the way).  Women and children make up 80% of those trafficked.
Join us January 11 as we observe Human Trafficking Awareness Day, a time to pay attention to the realities of what is often referred to as modern day slavery.
The 27th General Synod approved a Resolution of Witness, A Call to Awareness and Action to End the Practice of Trafficking in Persons.  It calls upon UCC congregations to utilize a time close to January 11 to become aware of these issues and learn how to become advocates for those victimized by such human rights abuses. 
During the next 3 months, churches will be encouraged to support ratification of the International Violence Against Women Act as one way to advocate for an end to the trafficking of women and girls. Look for more information soon on the JPANet.
As we enter the New Year we invite you to educate yourself and your congregation about human trafficking so we can begin to do this work together!

Resources

Common Global Ministries of the UCC and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have excellent materials, including some fantastic ideas for recognizing Human Trafficking Awareness Day in your community, a PowerPoint, Combating Human Trafficking: Responses and Strategies, and other resources including first-hand stories of persons who have been trafficked.
Additional resources can be found at the National Council of Churches' Justice for Women Working Group site. Films with discussion guides are available, such as Lives for Sale, a documentary on immigration and human trafficking produced by Maryknoll and Lightfoot Films in association with Faith & Values Media.  The DVD comes with a study guide.
A four session study guide from Thoughtful Christian (online publishing of adult ed curricula) on sex trafficking, authored by Martha Bettis-Gee, is also available. This study explores the scope of the problem and provides definitions of various aspects that contribute and have led to the spread of sex trafficking.
The above was copied from the UCC website.  I thought it was relevant because of the adult education program that was held on Human Trafficking last fall.
Jeannette Brown