Turn on the light. Help stop human trafficking.

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WHY THIS MATTERS

Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. With nearly 25 million victims worldwide, there are more slaves today than at any time in history.1 Our Catholic faith calls on us to defend life and human dignity, to fight conditions that lead to the enslavement of human beings.

1“ILO Forced Labour, Human Trafficking and Slavery,” last modified September 15, 2015, https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced-labour/lang--en/index.htm.

Human Trafficking Stories

Shine a light on the invisible 25 million.

Answering the Gospel’s call to care for those who are suffering, Catholic Relief Services is working to eradicate human trafficking with 145 projects worldwide. Led by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, we’re pressing governments to strengthen and enforce anti-trafficking laws. We’re raising awareness and educating people about human trafficking. And we’re helping men, women and children reclaim their lives. We need your help.

Victims of human trafficking produce goods that are sold all over the world. So being a conscientious consumer is one of the best ways to combat human trafficking. Know the sources of the goods and services you purchase. Whenever possible, buy fairly or ethically traded products. And urge your elected leaders to oppose the Administration’s proposed cuts to foreign aid. It’s only 1% of our nation’s budget, yet it does a world of good. The cuts would eliminate the Department of Labor’s International Labor Bureau account, which funds programs that combat human trafficking.

"Human trafficking is an open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the body of Christ. It is a crime against humanity."
—Pope Francis