Summer 2009

Human Trafficking
by Barbara Mayer, OSB

Human trafficking was the topic of the 2009 Guilfoil Justice Day, an event held each year in memory of Sister Mary Alice Guilfoil, OSB, advocate for causes of peace and justice, who died in 1998. Her Benedictine sisters honor her and continue her efforts by sponsoring the gathering, with additional support from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, and other religious communities and organizations.

The keynote speaker for the two day event on Feb. 5-6 was Sister Patrice Colletti, SDS, co-founder of SAVE (Salvatorians Advocacy for Victims of Exploitation). About 300 people, including about 200 high school students, attended the event at Cure of Ars parish, Leawood, Kan.

Sister Patrice told the stories of several victims of human trafficking overseas as well as in our own area. Each year an estimated 700,000 to 1.5 million people worldwide fall victim to international traffickers. Human trafficking is the second largest criminal activity in the world after the drug trade. It includes child sex exploitation, prostitution, slave labor, and holding people against their will. The average age of victims is 12.

Sister Patrice’s address was disturbing and, at times, shocking. The United States, she said, is one of the largest markets for the sex trade. According to the State Department Bureau of Justice Statistics, the U.S. is the number one destination for child sex trafficking in the world. She emphasized the necessity of “awareness, advocacy and action” to end this modern day slavery.

On Friday, workshops by local women focused on human trafficking as a local issue. Carrie Rosetti, the human trafficking caseworker at Hope House in Lee’s Summit, Mo., discussed several recent cases of human trafficking in Johnson County, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo.

Chris Wade, a survivor of human trafficking, spoke of how the media objectifies women and desensitizes viewers, making it easier to cross the line into enslaving women and children for profit. Kristi Childs, director of Veronica’s Voice in Kansas City, Mo., emphasized the importance of having safe places like Hope House and Veronica’s Voice to help victims of prostitution.

Planners of the event included Sisters Gabrielle Kocour, Barbara McCracken, Suzanne Fitzmaurice, Susan Barber, and Molly Brockwell, as well as Brother Dale Mooney, Margaret Del Debbio, Bill Scholl, and Dominic Ingolia.

We also co-sponsor a free, monthly, on-line newsletter called “Stop Trafficking.”

Next Year’s Guilfoil Justice Day
February 11-12, 2010

Jesus and the Road to Peace: Gospel
Non-Violence in a World of Violence and War

Beatitudes of Peace and the Sermon on the Mount

Featuring: John Dear, S.J.
Father Dear is a nationally known advocate for peace, justice and nonviolence. He is a Jesuit priest, pastor, lecturer, and author/editor of over 24 books and articles on Gospel non-violence.