Every year, millions of men, women and children are trafficked worldwide. What’s more horrifying is, it’s happening in Western New York. Shocking statistics and frightening facts informed diocesan Respect Life coordinators of the crimes happening right in their own neighborhoods.
Annabella Bogart, outreach coordinator for Project Mona’s House, served as guest speaker at the annual Respect Life inservice for the local coordinators.
Project Mona’s House is a local charity that informs the public of the crime of human trafficking; restores those who have been victimized; and uses education, legislation and Christ’s compassion to end the criminal activity.
Bogart explained human trafficking is an act that uses force, fraud or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Trafficking also includes forced labor, child soldiers, and organ harvesting. It could also take the form of forcing people through threats to hand over money. Bogart told the story of a teenager from a prominent family coerced into posing for adult videos by an older man she trusted.
Human trafficking is a $326 billion business worldwide that affects 49 million people every year. Less than 1 percent of the people who get involved are able to get out.
Bogart showed a film, “Sold Next Door,” which tells the story of two local victims, who trusted the wrong people and were separated from their families, abused and threatened.
“Traffickers are experts at identifying and manipulating vulnerabilities,” Bogart said, adding that there is no average age, race or gender of traffickers. Signs that a person might be a victim include a younger girl with an older boyfriend, young people owning expensive items not bought by parents, or wearing brands that are outside their economic means. Victims often have injuries, are malnourished, or have a lack of personal possessions and identification. An increase in time spent online, or being secretive about online use could also be a sign.
“One of the biggest signs that something is going on with youth are those sudden changes. That could be sudden changes in school performance. That’s the time to say, ‘Are you OK?’ starting that conversation,” Bogart said.
Anyone who suspects someone is being trafficked, should contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or text 233733.
Mona’s House is designed to help women 18 and older who have been victims of any type of human trafficking. More than a shelter, Mona’s House helps women rebuild their lives through a holistic restoration program.
Project Mona’s House also operates the FreeTHEM Center, a drop-in center to aid human trafficking survivors as well as at-risk women and children in developing life skills and in receiving services in counseling and support. In addition to regular coaching sessions they offer cooking classes, finance sessions, and healthy family workshops.
The annual Respect Life inservice also welcomed five new Respect Life coordinators who bring information about life issues to their parishes.
“Thank you very much each of you for taking on this role especially in this time of change,” said Cheryl Zielen-Ersing, director of Respect Life Ministries for the Diocese of Buffalo. “Whether you’re returning or new, I need you to know how much our office appreciates each and every one of you. We rely on you. You are literally the hands and feet at the parish level and in the community. As much as we’d like to be, we can’t be everywhere we want to be at once. So, we rely on you to be our representatives and to get the word out about Respect Life issues. You represent our office, but you also represent the very essence and value of the gift of life.”