Human Trafficking Awareness Day 2012

January 11 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the United States – a day to bring awareness to the world-wide crisis also known as modern day slavery.  The 27^th General Synod (2009) approved the resolution of witness, “A Call to Awareness and Action to End the Practice of Trafficking in Persons.”  In the call to action, congregations of the UCC are encourage to observe the Sunday closest to January 11 (Human Trafficking Awareness Day) as a day of prayer, education and action. We invite you to highlight concern for our sisters and brothers who are victims of human trafficking on a Sunday in January close to the 11^th. 

Act

A growing movement in the US is focusing on the increase in activity around trafficking, usually the exploitation of women and girls, that occurs during major sporting events such as the Super Bowl.  An Action Alert has been posted to encourage UCC members to let the NFL know that it should do all it can to eliminate such activity and to work with partners in the hospitality and travel industries to monitor and prevent this exploitation. Take action now!

Pray

A Litany of Commitment (Download)

One: Creator and Creating God, we bear your likeness in our souls and in our bodies, having been created in your image.

All: What a wondrous world with wondrous peoples!

One: We enjoy being together - to celebrate, to compete in good spirit, and to cheer on our favorite teams.

All: What fun it can be to watch teams put their best efforts out on the field of play.

One: But, dear God, keep us vigilant as well to things that happen away from the main event.

All: We pray for our sisters and brothers who are trapped by those who would use them for commercial gain.

One: We pray that we will have the courage to transform a culture that tolerates degrading and abusive behavior.        

All: We pray for justice for all of God’s children, each one of whom bears divine likeness in soul and body.  In the name of Jesus, we pray.  Amen.

By Rev. Loey Powell

In this section, we will highlight some of the activities our local churches are doing to bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking.  Please send information from your church to Loey Powell if you are doing advocacy and awareness on trafficking.

Friedens UCC  in Indianapolis, IN, helped start a local group called U-ACT which assists churches and organization in the area in efforts to end human trafficking. Learn more about U-ACT.

Country Club UCC in Kansas City, MO, is doing ongoing work to raise awareness about human trafficking.  It hosted a community conference in 2010 and is doing follow up work.

Interfaith Opportunity:

The Joint Religious Legislative Coalition in Minnesota, an interfaith advocacy coalition, has written an issue paper, Human Trafficking in Minnesota: A Violation of Human Dignity, which the JRLC approved in December 2011.  They are also hosting a February 27 workshop on Protecting Dignity, Ending Slavery: A Discussion on Human Trafficking in Minnesota, to which the interfaith community is invited.

• Global Ministries Resources
• Common Lot issue (Summer 2011) on Human Trafficking
• The Sum of Justice for Human Trafficking: Prayer of Lament and Libation
• National Council of Churches resources on trafficking, including links to ecumenical sources.
• Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report
• United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons
• Freedom Network USA
• A Future. Not a Past (national site – advocacy to end childhood prostitution)
• Coalition of Immokalee Workers (traveling museum on modern day slavery)

More info:

• Polaris Project State-by-State information on anti-trafficking legislation
• U.S. State Department 2011 “Trafficking in Persons Report”
• You can report trafficking crimes and get help by calling the Department of Justice Trafficking in Persons and Worker Exploitation Task Force at 1-888-428-7581 (voice and TTY). New laws provide options for trafficking victims regardless of immigration status.