This comment from Noel reflects the response of many participants at the Ignite Conference. More than 100 professionals in criminal justice, counseling, event planning and non-profits were present at the March 2-4 Conference in St. Louis, MO, including participants from women religious communities. The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas co-sponsored this first-ever conference and six Sisters who work to end human trafficking attended this conference (see image).

Even for those of us well versed in the atrocity of human trafficking, the conference offered fresh reminders and new findings to help inform and inspire our ministries. Here are our top ten takeaways:

On the opening night of the conference we heard presentations from women who had survived trafficking. Their heart-moving stories of pain and of courage reminded us that this is an issue of the spirit as well as the mind.

Two congresspersons, Ann Wagner of Missouri and Ted Poe of Texas gave hope for national legislations that can assist survivors and at the same time toughen penalties for the trafficker.
Children rescued from labor trafficking now thrive at a special school in India. Photo Credit: Kay Chernush for the U.S. State Department.

Children rescued from labor trafficking now thrive at a special school in India.
Photo Credit: Kay Chernush for the U.S. State Department.

FBI Agent Bryant of the St. Louis office detailed the areas his organization is focusing on. Human trafficking is one of the top ten priorities of the FBI.

Focusing on the victims and witnesses and providing special resources for them are areas that need continued emphases.

Equally important is identifying the customer/purchaser as a child abuser and prosecuting them as such, which would help slow the demand for this horrific and illegal practice.

There are exciting new efforts to raise awareness among young people. For example, Student Reach, Inc. is educating middle and high school youth about human trafficking. The cause, headed by Jeff Devall and headquartered in Sacramento, CA, uses school assemblies and social media to develop a movement among students. They promote messages such as, “Look after your friends!” and “Talk to an adult,” to help break the code of silence, the best tool predators have.

Nita Belles of Oregon presented information on anti-trafficking efforts surrounding major events. With experience at the last five Super Bowls, she told what state legislators, law enforcement, businesses and non-profits can do to decrease human trafficking at events like this. This includes developing partnerships, raising awareness in the community, monitoring online sources for prostitutes, missing child outreach and street monitoring.

One simple tool to both raise awareness and offer information to those at risk is putting stickers or posters with the National Human Trafficking hotline number on doors or mirrors in hotel and motel bathrooms and other public places. A sample poster is available here in several languages.

Ad for US Airways magazine, sponsored by U.S. Catholic Sisters against Human Trafficking and designed by Bailey Lauerman.

Ad for US Airways magazine, sponsored by U.S. Catholic Sisters against Human Trafficking and designed by Bailey Lauerman.

The workshop “Spirituality with the Rescued,” presented by the staff of Covering House in the St. Louis area, focused on how to respond to a trafficking victim’s search for faith and spirituality. Using the saying of St. Francis— “Preach the Gospel and if necessary, use words” —they presented an approach that allows the survivor to raise questions and engage conversation when she or he was ready, without being forced to do so. Driven by mutuality with clear boundaries, the survivors are met where they are in their processing of the experience. The trust needed for healing usually takes a long time to build. Being available to the victim/survivor is the key to enabling that trust.

These powerful phrases stay with us:

“Minding our own business is not the solution”
“Demand…Supply…Profit”
“Speak up!”
“Fear of being left behind or left out”
“The most effective weapon against crime is cooperation” [among those fighting trafficking]
“Silence is not golden; it is a woe pain”

These are only highlights from a rich meeting where speakers were those with experience in fighting human trafficking or were victims themselves. Certainly as important is the networking among participants. Meeting others engaged is this often disheartening effort gives encouragement and support as well as a friendly resource to call in time of need.

Sisters of Mercy ©April 2014