July 30 marks World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, a day in which we particularly direct our thoughts, prayers and action toward the elimination of human trafficking. Our congregational leader, Stancea Vichie MSS, has been a member of Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Persons (ACRATH) for many years now. ACRATH provides an invaluable amount of information, resources and actions we can take to assist in the fight against human trafficking.
Some of us will be joining an online 10-minute prayer gathering hosted by ACRATH, at 12pm on the 30th July, so that we can be united in prayer. If you can’t make this gathering, ACRATH has developed a prayer resource that we recommend you reading and using at some stag in the day, or perhaps in the weeks leading up to, or just after this international day. Sadly, human trafficking is an ongoing issue that needs immediate and strong action, daily! ACRATH is also holding its annual fundraising appeal, in order to raise funds to support its important work. You can donate, here.
Providing further information on this event, ACRATH writes, “Many of you, your congregations, dioceses, parishes or communities, already donate to ACRATH and may have already done so in recent months. Others have supported trafficked people through prayer, advocacy, companionship, purchasing slavery-free products and letter writing. Thank you! It takes an almighty community effort to build the momentum needed to stop modern slavery and together we will bring an end to the trafficking of humans.
“We know in these times that seem chaotic and unpredictable, COVID-19 is impacting on the very people most vulnerable to trafficking because they often live in poverty and lack suitable housing and healthcare.Hundreds of thousands of these people will be drawn to the promise of work simply to put food on their family’s table – work that often turns out to be a job in slave-like conditions. Or worse, they will be sold into labour or sexual exploitation.
“Each year ACRATH asks for your support as we mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on 30 July. Each year, generously, you respond. And each year because of your response ACRATH has been able to develop projects, services and resources. None of this work, though challenging during the pandemic, could have happened without your support and we thank you.
“If you are in a position now to continue to support the critical anti-trafficking work of ACRATH, at a time that is even more dangerous for those most vulnerable, we are incredibly thankful.”
Donate, and find out more, here.