
Human Trafficking
USCCB/MRS is combating modern-day slavery, one community at a time.
"Pope encourages church, police in shared battle against trafficking" Catholic News Service, February 2018
"Catholic consumers favor slave-free seafood label" - International Catholic Migration Commission, February 2018
The Typology of Modern Slavery - Polaris, March 2017
The mission of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Anti-Trafficking Program (ATP) is to educate on the scourge of human trafficking as an offense against fundamental dignity of the human person, to advocate for an end to modern day slavery, to provide training and technical assistance on this issue, and to support survivors through community based services.
Each year, an estimated 17,000 vulnerable men, women and children are trafficked across our borders and then forced into slavery. Many are fleeing terrible situations in their home countries, and come to the United States to find a better life. Unfortunately, the nightmare often begins when they reach our shores.
For over a decade, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has been a national leader in advocacy and education to eradicate sex and labor trafficking. Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) leads efforts to combat trafficking in human persons, carrying out the commitment of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Migration to protect the life and dignity of the most vulnerable. Our initiatives include advocacy, awareness raising, training and technical assistance, and integration services.
Visit our program pages to learn more about what we currently do.
COMPASS- Coalition of Organizations and Ministries Promoting the Abolition of Slavery at Sea
February 8th: International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking
If you would like more information about our past programs and work, click here.
Help us in our fight against human trafficking by making a contribution. Please submit this form for the Catholic Fund Against Human Trafficking.
Check out our anti-trafficking resources on the Bridging Refugee Youth and Children's Services website.
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