As our grandchildren grow older, I worry about the threat of human trafficking, especially the way human traffickers can lure young people through use of the Internet.
Pope Francis spoke about preventing human trafficking at his Sunday, Feb. 9, Angelus in St. Peter’s Square. The pope reminded people of the February 8 International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking. It falls on the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was sold into slavery as a child.
Fighting human trafficking
Everyone must work together to fight human trafficking, a “plague” that takes advantage of the most vulnerable, the pope said as reported in a Catholic News Service article.
Criminal organizations are increasingly using the latest “forms of communication in order to lure victims through deceit,” the pope said. That is why prevention requires educating people how to navigate online safely and being vigilant and reminding providers of such telecommunication services of their responsibilities, he said.
Wisconsin efforts
In Wisconsin, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to combating the growing crisis of the human trafficking of youth and children, and works closely with other systems, including: Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, Department of Public Instruction, Office of State Court and local courts, Department of Health Services, and community service providers, to provide a comprehensive response. The DCF:
• Has developed an approach to prevent sex trafficking of minors.
• Provides services that are culturally sensitive and youth-centered.
• Provides trauma-informed services meeting the needs of survivors.
• Has a response to sex trafficking in Wisconsin that is comprehensive and coordinates with other systems.
There is a website with information on human trafficking prevention and awareness found at https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/aht
Another resource is U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking. Their website is https://www.sistersagainsttrafficking.org/
I suggest that parents — along with school and community organizations — learn more about preventing human trafficking and pass along pertinent information to young people.