Human Trafficking

At our 2005 meeting, the Animators of the JPIC Network and I identified a focus issue for action: Trafficking in Women and Children. In various parts of the Institute, the animators have responded to this objective in a variety of ways: educating our members to the gravity of the situation today, participating in lobbying for just legislation for victims of this grievous human rights violation or direct engagement with women in rehabilitation and re-integration programs.

As a co-chair of the Anti-Trafficking Working Group of the USG/UISG Justice and Peace Commission, I was invited by Sr. Eugenia Bonetti to visit a "safe house" for women who have been trafficked to Italy. About 20 of us - the majority of my companions were women religious, including Letizia Pappalardo, who weekly visit trafficked women who have been imprisoned for prostitution - went by bus to Caserta, a beautiful Italian city located about two hours south of Rome. This shelter is one of a network of houses throughout Italy coordinated by women religious for former trafficked women - restorative environments to encourage emotional stability and self-esteem and to provide opportunities for education and skill development. I was impressed by the organization of the house - the women are given as much privacy and independence as possible. They are engaged in a small business venture - a sewing cooperative which requires leadership skills and the ability to learn to work together on common projects. A congregation of men religious collaborate with the sisters who coordinate this project - the Priests of the Blessed Sacrament work directly with the Ursuline Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary in responding to the women and their children. I think that Jean Gailhac would minister in such a place today.

Cathy Minhoto

The group visiting in Caserta includes Cathy Minhoto and Letizia Pappalardo. At the end of the day we visited La Reggia, the stunning royal palace of the Bourbon Kings constructed in the 18th century.	Four women from the safe house with a sister who visits the women's prison, Ponte Galeria. Rita, second from left, is a young woman trafficked from Nigeria almost five years ago, who was a resident of the Caserta house. She now has work in Rome as a teacher's assistant with pre-school age children.