
Human Trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery where people profit from the control and exploitation of an estimated 35.8 million men, women, and children globally. Victims of sex or labor trafficking in the United States include individuals coerced into the commercial sex trade, domestic workers threatened with severe abuse in a home, agricultural workers held by violence or debt, and more.
In alignment with this message for the New Year, we will be supporting the efforts of the USCCB Anti-Trafficking program. You can show your solidarity with the victims of human trafficking by saving the date and joining us on Saturday, March 7, when OCSJM and the Office of the Diaconate will host a workshop, "Stolen Lives: A Gospel Response to Human Trafficking," at St. James Church in Rocky Hill.
The program will feature William Rivera, Director of Office of Multicultural Affairs and Immigration Practice for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, and Alicia Kinsman, Managing Attorney for the legal immigration program at the International Institute of Connecticut. Mr. Rivera spearheaded the creation of DCF's human trafficking response system and currently co-leads the human trafficking response operations for the department. Ms. Kinsman provides legal representation in
immigration matters to victims of trafficking and other crimes, offers immigration law training to pro bono attorneys, volunteers, and law enforcement, and speaks around the state to raise awareness of the issue of humanitarian relief for foreign born victims of crimes. In 2013 she received an FBI Field Director's Award for her work in assisting medical professionals, law enforcement personnel, and social service providers to identify and work with foreign-born victims.
Watch for more information on this exciting and eye-opening program, and click here to learn about human trafficking and to commit to the resolutions.