USCCB has found that immigrants are more vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking because many work in industries that are poorly regulated. The Amistad Movement trains individuals in these communities to conduct outreach and educate their peers on human trafficking and resources and services available for victims.
A SHEPHERD is a community leader who learns about human trafficking from a Catholic perspective, knows how to recognize possible signs of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation, spreads awareness of the steps each of us can take to combat it, and helps others to do the same. Using the SHEPHERD toolkit, you will gain these skills and be equipped with the educational tools to empower others in your parishes, schools, or other social networks to join the fight against trafficking.
Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP)
Through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Trafficking in Persons (OTIP), USCCB/MRS-Anti-Trafficking is providing comprehensive case management, through our network of direct service providers, to foreign born victims of trafficking and derivative family members.
The Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) Program
A specialized foster care program designed to meet the unique needs of foreign-born children, to include survivors of human trafficking, in the context of an existing child welfare framework.
Through a cooperative agreement with the Department of State, USCCB/MRS implemented Connecting Overseas Maritime Partners to Abolish Slavery at Sea (COMPASS) to strengthen the coordination, collaboration, and capacity of the worldwide Catholic response to maritime trafficking, especially in its ministries at sea and ports. Interested in educating others on maritime trafficking? Or becoming a responsible consumer of seafood free of forced labor? Write us at mrstraff@usccb.org