USCCB expert urges more protections for human trafficking victims

Published: 2005-03-10

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Despite progress in identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking in the United States and worldwide, much more needs to be done to adequately protect those victims, a children's advocate from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Migration and Refugee Services told a House subcommittee. Julianne Duncan, director of children's services for MRS, spoke March 9 before the House International Relations Committee's Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations. Calling human trafficking a "new international scourge," Duncan said the U.S. bishops and the church community throughout the country have made combating the problem "a top priority in their public advocacy, educational outreach and in providing service to trafficking victims. From the Catholic perspective, human trafficking represents a scourge on the earth which must be eradicated," she said. "It is indeed troubling that in the 21st century human beings are being sold into bondage as prostitutes, domestic workers, child laborers and child soldiers."

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