The tragic reality of human trafficking has come to light once again in the aftermath of the horrific kidnapping of hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls last month. Boko Haram, the terrorist organization responsible for the kidnappings, has threatened to sell the girls. The leader of that terrorist organization said, “I will sell them in the market…There is a market for selling humans.”
But we ought not to fool ourselves into thinking that the crime of human trafficking happens only in other countries. No, human trafficking happens today in the United States, and, yes, here in Rhode Island. The Providence Journal recently highlighted the reality of human trafficking in Rhode Island, reporting that young teenage girls, manipulated and abused by adults, have been and continue to be trafficked and used as prostitutes in our own state.
Pope Francis has spoken out very strongly against human trafficking. He said, “Human trafficking is an open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the body of Christ. It is a crime against humanity.”
A crime against humanity, indeed! And working to put an end to human trafficking is something upon which all people of good will can agree. The Catholic Church desires to work with those who are committed to this cause: People from other faith traditions, politicians, law enforcement authorities, humanitarian agencies, social workers and others in the helping professions. All of us, working together, can continue to fight to put an end to this crime against humanity.
