A Prayerful Reflection
We invite you to pray for the eradication of Trafficking in Women and Children.
Light a candle to represent the light of Christ illuminating the darkness that has been created by social injustice in our world.
Reader: With faith, we pray now to you, God, present with us. (Take a few moments of silence to acknowledge and welcome the Spirit of God’s presence.)
“Trafficking includes all acts involved in the transport, harboring or sale of persons through coercion, force, kidnapping, deception or fraud for purposes of placing persons in situations of forced labor or services such as forced prostitution, domestic servitude, debt bondage or other slavery-like practices.”
Response: God of Justice, have mercy on us.
Reader: “The United Nations estimates that every year up to 4 million women and children are trafficked around the world as forced prostitutes and laborers in a fast-growing $7 billion industry.”
Response: God of Justice, have mercy on us.
Reader: “Traffickers operate globally: Chinese and Vietnamese Triads, the Japanese Yakuza, South American drug cartels, the Italian mafia, and Russian gangs interact with local networks to provide transportation, local contacts and documentation.”
Response: God of Justice, have mercy on us.
Reader: “... some governments tolerate trafficking because their national interests weigh more than this basic violation of human rights.”
Response: God of Justice, have mercy on us.
Reader: “Most victims are sent to Asia, the Middle East, Western Europe and North America. They usually end up in large cities, vacation and tourist areas, or near military bases, where the demand is highest.”
Response: God of Justice, have mercy on us.
Reader: “Trafficking is a many-layered illegal activity, involving persons from the highest echelon of organized crime, corruption and violence to the “friend”, relative or acquaintance paid to make a first contact with an unsuspecting victim.”
Response: God of Justice, have mercy on us.
Reader: “Although men are also among the victimized, the overwhelming majority of those trafficked are women and children ... Typical victims are young, poor, unemployed, often desperate and without economic opportunity.”
Response: God of Justice, have mercy on us.
Reader: “A trafficked victim, even years after rescue or escape, will never again be the same person she or he was before. The traumatization suffered leaves indelible changes and always results in a profound lack of self esteem.”
Response: God of Justice, have mercy on us.
(The above information was taken from a document entitled: “Trafficking in Women and Children” An Educational Resource Compiled by the Sisters of the Holy Names Justice and Peace Team California Province, pages 1-5.)
(Short pause followed by shared reflection, as desired.)
PRAYER FOR AN END TO TRAFFICKING
O God, our words cannot express
what our minds can barely comprehend
and our hearts feel
when we hear of women and girls deceived
and transported to unknown places
for purposes of sexual exploitation and abuse
because of human greed and profit
at this time in our world.
Our hearts are saddened and our spirits are angry
that their dignity and rights are being
transgressed through threats,
deception and force.
We cry out against the degrading practice of
trafficking and pray for it to end.
Strengthen the fragile-spirited
and broken-hearted.
Make real your promises
to fill these our sisters with a love
that is tender and good
and send the exploiters away empty-handed.
Give us the wisdom and courage
to stand in solidarity with them
that together we will find ways
to the freedom that is your gift to all of us.
School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND), Trafficking Reflection Booklet, Canadian Province, p. 10.
