Stop Modern-Day Slavery

Slavery and human trafficking are among the most grotesque realities of our day. Victims range from girls and boys to men and women. They suffer appalling treatment, dismal working conditions, and live essentially without rights. They are nearly invisible.

CRS and Caritas Madre de Dios in Peru are working to stop the exploitation of children, women and men who are vulnerable to trafficking because of their economic or family circumstances. Image courtesy of Fiscalía contra el delito de trata de personas

Unlike earthquakes, floods, hunger, disease and other humanitarian disasters, this crisis is not contained in any well-defined region—modern-day slavery is everywhere. It thrives in shadows and feeds on the poor, the dispossessed and the marginalized.

Much of the Catholic Relief Services work you support helps prevent human trafficking by enabling people to thrive where they live. Given productive land, stable incomes and healthy families with access to education, people are far less likely to be lured into schemes that promise prosperity but end in slavery.

In observance of Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, January 11, here’s what you can do:

As in all our work, the first place to begin is prayer. We encourage you to use this solidarity prayer vigil in your parish, school and other groups.

Learn the facts about human trafficking, its effects, and a few things we can all do to stand against this insidious crime.

Read the story of a 14-year-old girl in Peru, which exposes the trauma and tragedy of human trafficking and the commercial sex trade.

Visit the CRS human trafficking resource page and our parish resource page for more information about trafficking and our role in ending it.

Thank you for persevering with us in the fight against human trafficking and modern-day slavery.