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How does USCCB/MRS respond to human trafficking?
As a global institution, the Catholic Church, well positioned to respond to human trafficking, has denounced this horrific crime because it constitutes an offense against human dignity and fundamental human rights. The reality of thousands of our brothers and sisters laboring in modern day slavery compels us to act now to stop human trafficking and to serve the survivors of this crime.
USCCB’s Committee on Migration has issued a statement entitled On Human Trafficking that addresses the reality of trafficking, U.S. response to it, Catholic teaching and trafficking, and a call to action.
USCCB/MRS, in response to the Committee on Migration's call to combat trafficking, addresses the international phenomenon in various ways. USCCB/MRS’ leadership in anti-trafficking work is reflected through the following actions:
- Service provision for survivors
- USCCB/MRS administers the Anti-Trafficking Per Capita Services Program through a contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement (HHS/ORR) to provide services to survivors of human trafficking across the country.
- Training and technical assistance
- USCCB/MRS administers the Anti-Trafficking Per Capita Services Program through a contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement (HHS/ORR) to provide services to survivors of human trafficking across the country.
- USCCB/MRS staff provides training and technical assistance to a variety of entities including social service providers, law enforcement, religious communities, local networks and coalitions, and medical and mental health professionals.
- Topics range from introduction to human trafficking, trafficking vs. smuggling, Catholic Social Teaching and human trafficking, services for survivors, case consultation, post-raid planning, and network development.
- Topics range from introduction to human trafficking, trafficking vs. smuggling, Catholic Social Teaching and human trafficking, services for survivors, case consultation, post-raid planning, and network development.
- Child trafficking specialty
- USCCB/MRS operates a national technical assistance project designed to broaden the scope of information and collaboration among service providers in order to strengthen services to refugee youth, children and their families. Bridging Refugee Youth and Children’s Services’ (BRYCS) maintains a Child Trafficking Web site as a resource for information on child trafficking, particularly in the U.S. context.
- Education and advocacy
- USCCB/MRS convenes the Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking; a coalition of national and international Catholic organizations united to eliminate human trafficking through public education, advocacy, and services.
- USCCB/MRS advocates for federal policy initiatives and engages in national and local education and awareness-raising efforts.
- Reflections and White Papers
- MRS Special Report —Reflections: HHS Service Mechanism for Foreign National Survivors of Human Trafficking
- The United States’ Response to Human Trafficking: Achievements and Challenges
- USCCB/MRS convenes the Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking; a coalition of national and international Catholic organizations united to eliminate human trafficking through public education, advocacy, and services.
contact us at (202) 541-3357.